Lansing Council approves hiring new police officer
by B.J. Tomlinson
The Lansing City Council met Tuesday, September 8 at 7 p.m. and approved the consent agenda. Several routine items were reviewed and approved, including allowing S&S Rentals to use the City Marina for winter storage, setting October 13 as fall cleanup day and a payment request from Brennan Construction for the Blackhawk Alley water main improvement project.
The Council agreed with Police Chief Ed Stahl’s and Mayor Mike Brennan’s recommendation to hire Lucas Inglett as Lansing’s new full-time police officer. Inglett, currently working and living in La Crescent, MN will move to Lansing and begin work after serving notice to his employer. He will begin an eight-week certification course in Waterloo in March, 2016.
The Council reviewed and approved Resolution #861 proposing the implementation of a hotel/motel tax and authorization to be submitted and voted on in the next general election. The Council also reviewed and approved the Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Report and Resolution #858, FY2015 City Street Financial Report.
Amy Love, 521 Dodge Street, addressed the Council regarding a plumbing issue that occurred in July. She said raw sewage flooded her basement because of a faulty sewer line that is shared with neighbors. She asked the Council for $300 to help with the plumbing bill she received and to be placed on a regular maintenance schedule. Love said the problem evidently occurs every so often and is caused by tree roots in the sewer main. Mayor Brennan said the City is trying out a new root cutter to address other similar issues in town and also advised the Clerk to ascertain whether this claim is covered by the City’s insurance. The Council approved Love’s request for the $300 reimbursement.
Street Superintendent Jerry Aperans reported that the burn pile site will be fenced and gated this month. Hours of operations and other details are being discussed. Citizens will be able to dump at the burn site only when the gates are open, and the site will be manned to comply with EPA regulations. Appropriate signs will be posted.
Kevin Draves, WHKS Engineering, distributed a proposed project schedule for the Clear Creek Water and Sewer Improvement project. Draves said that legal issues with the federal government held up the grant funds, which won’t be available until mid-October so it is not feasible to begin construction this fall.
Knoll Street resident Russ Quackenbush addressed the Council complaining of excessive noise in the neighborhood created by a neighbor who restores bicycles in his garage. Quackenbush said the neighbor uses an air compressor for various tasks and then turns up his radio so it can be heard above the noise made by the machinery. He said the noise is so great that he sometimes cannot open his windows and wonders if there is any ordinance that will offer relief. Mayor Brennan said the Council would look into options.
In other business, Jason Drape asked the Council for input on his plan to build two cabins on the lot at 881 North Front Street. Mayor Brennan said the lot would need to be divided into two lots and comply with existing setback requirements. The Council also reviewed and approved a request from Matt Rethwisch, 120 North Third Street, to reduce a sewer bill by $63.40.
