A variety of city issues were discussed at the Manawa Improvement and Services Committee meeting, Monday, Oct. 29.
City Clerk Cheryl Hass said there have been requests for a new dock to be placed behind Sturm Memorial Library. She said that it isn’t as easy as just buying a dock and installing it.
Hass said she did some research and found that it costs $6,000 just to have a study done on placing a dock there. Grants can be applied for, but Hass said they are difficult to receive.
Police Chief David Walker said a private group is looking at the possibility of doing improvements to the park behind Sturm Memorial Library. He recommended that adding a new dock should be rolled into that effort.
The issue of snowmobile trails was also discussed.
Walker said there is no viable way for snowmobiles to get off Manawa Pond.
Snowmobilers used to be able to get off the pond behind the library, but not any longer. This has created the problem of snowmobilers not being able to get downtown, unless they drive on city streets.
The committee came to the conclusion that the snowmobile clubs need to submit proposed snowmobile trails for approval.
The need for a new city garage was also on the agenda. Hass said the inside of the current city garage is very tight when all the city vehicles are in it. And it’s not just the city trucks that are parked inside the garage. Squad cars for the police department are also parked in the garage.
The idea of purchasing property owned by Lorge Plumbing and Heating and turning that into a garage for the city was brought up at a previous city meeting. It was brought up again at the committee meeting. Building a new garage behind city hall was also mentioned.
Hass said she feels the city departments need to work on long range planning.
Committee member Mike Frazier agreed. He said the department heads should assemble their “wish lists” so the city can assemble a plan to reach its long range goals.
The last item discussed was uniforms for city employees. It was mentioned that uniforms for city employees would also be beneficial for residents. It would help them recognize a city employee when one comes to their house.
At that point, Mayor Debby Nolan suggested the city obtain pricing to get ID badges for employees. The ID badges would also help residents identify city employees.
The committee decided that Hass should obtain pricing and sample uniforms from the company the city works with.
The items discussed at the committee meeting will eventually go in front of the entire city council.