The Manawa Common Council rejected a request to lease space on the water tower.
The council did not approve the request at its meeting on Monday, May 19, at the recommendation of the Improvements and Services Committee.
“The committee felt the offer price was too low and (leasing the space) was not in the best interest of the water tower at this time,” said Council President Mike Frazier.
The council agreed to renew the Lindsay Park contract with the Manawa School District.
It was noted that County Road B construction is due to begin Monday, June 2. Detour routes will impact the city of Manawa and the school district.
The council discussed the lower participation for city-run summer recreation programs and announced there will be no baseball offered this year. The city will only offer softball and t-ball.
A series of resolutions were passed, paving the ground for the city’s grant application for Second Street reconstruction. The resolutions included support for clean energy, and adopting a citizen participation plan, fair housing ordinance and relocation plan.
The council authorized an application for a Community Development Block Grant for Public Infrastructure Improvements.
According to Frazier, the project could cost about $600,000. It was noted that the CDBG-PF grant could pay 30-50 percent of this cost.
In other business, the council approved class B combination, class A combination, class B beer and operator’s licenses for the 2014-15 license renewal year.
Library report
Circulation at the Sturm Memorial Library was down in 2013 compared to 2012, according to the annual report presented by Director Ellen Connor.
“This has happened before,” she said. “Sometimes you cannot figure out why you’re down from one year to the next. Hopefully it is not a trend.”
Overall the library is in good shape, according to Connor. She noted there has been growth in the adult reading program and in e-books.
“The library is becoming a great community gathering place,” she said.
On Aug. 5, the library will present Mad Dog & Merrill to celebrate “National Night Out.”