Centerville Tidbits
Residents To Get Comment Slot At Council Meetings
The Centerville City Council has voted in favor of introducing an open forum for members of the public who wish to speak at meetings.
The first "Open Forum" will be listed on the agenda for the next city council meeting, scheduled May 14, and will be listed second on the agenda.
It will allow residents to speak for two minutes each on any item which is not listed on the agenda.
Members of the public must sign up at the start of the meeting to signify they wish to address the council, and give an indication of the subject about which they want to talk.
There was some disagreement among council members on whether to regulate the subjects about which residents could speak, but City Administrator Dallas Larson encouraged members to leave the forum unregulated initially.
Centerville Experiences Weekend Of Crime
Vandals sprayed vulgar graffiti at the city's skate park in the same weekend that thieves stole a $1,000 skate rail, and burglars tried to break into a liquor store.
Sergeant Pat Aldrich related the incidents to city council members at their meeting April 23.
He explained that the incidents had all taken place over the weekend of April 11-13.
Speaking after the meeting, he added, "Thieves stole a skate rail [from the skate park at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park] worth $1,000. You can't put it in a car or anything - it's a pretty long deal.
"The graffiti is our second report this spring already." Burglars attempted to break into The Liquor Barrel by smashing its window, but were unable to break the glass, although the force was sufficient to set off the store's alarm, summoning police.
Officers have no suspects for any of the incidents.
In other action, the council:
. Agreed that Administrator Larson could attend the League of Minnesota Cities annual conference in Rochester in May.
. Heard a presentation from Jim Halstrom, executive director of the Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers, on cities' emergency management strategies. Council members also related their experiences to him of putting emergency management into practice in Centerville following last August's straight-line winds.
. Was addressed by Dale Tranter, of Bonestroo and Associates, following the company's annual review in light of its contract as city engineer. Tranter apologized for the problems encountered with the development of Hidden Spring Park.
. Deferred to their next meeting decision on an ordinance which would permit eligible senior citizens to defer payment of special assessments.
. Authorized staff to draw up a contract for the lowest bid received on work to be performed at Tracie McBride Park, not to exceed the amount of $25,000.
. Agreed to pay a bill for $13,524.92 to Ground Development for work in relation to Pheasant Marsh Third Addition.
. Voted to waive the fee for a transient merchant license, applied for by Lynn Johnson for the purpose of fundraising for the Lions' Walk For Sight, as it was a charitable cause.