Lansing City Council updated on planned Winterfest activities

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday night, January 19. Main Street Lansing Board member Sue Stirns addressed the Council regarding plans for the February 21 Winterfest Celebration. The goal is to provide a fun family event for a low cost. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at TJs banquet hall. Admission, which includes all activities throughout the day as well as the annual chili cook-off,  is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children. Events include ice fishing, snow shoeing, turkey bowling and snowman building. An artist will be creating ice sculptures at the Plaza, and a number  of vendors will display their wares at the Banquet Hall.  Warming stations, indoor board games, ping-pong and hot dogs will be available. Stirns asked the Council's permission to build a fire at the ice skating rink and to utilize Mt. Hosmer for a guided hike. The Council approved the request.
People Service representative Heath Draeger presented information regarding applications for permits for water and sewer service installers. Draeger said the application will resemble the one used for building permits. The Council will review the document and discuss any changes at a later date.
An amendment related to the Columbus Bridge  Interpretive Center project to extend City water and sewer services outside corporate limits was approved.
The Council discussed and approved a request from the IGA store to limit parking to 30 minutes on the space southwest of the Main Street driveway and to eliminate a space on the east side (4th Street) of their lot.
In other business, the Council reviewed and approved a request from the Girl Scouts to place a bench near the Lions Club playground in memory of Crystal Sickles. They also reviewed but declined  a request from Robert Weidner to create a landscaped area on an Iowa Street levee lot. The request was declined because the plan includes a porta-potty, which the Council feels would create an unwanted precedent.