Lansing City Council considers new purchases, discusses yard signs, accepts council member resignation and explains property tax increase

by Macie Hill

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday, September 17. Discussion centered around welcoming the new executive director for Main Street Lansing, posting meeting agendas and minutes on Facebook, purchasing new heat pumps for the water/sewer department, discussing election and for sale sign placements, considering purchasing a new backhoe, beginning fall fire hydrant flushing, the resignation of a city council member, and explaining property tax raises.

Andy Kelleher, the new executive director from Main Street Lansing, was present at the meeting to introduce himself and received a warm welcome from the council. It was decided that the agenda and the minutes for each city council meeting will now be posted on the Lansing Facebook page.

A motion was made and accepted to purchase new heat pumps for the City’s water and sewer department for the amount of $4,345. Choosing this option will result in a savings that will recover that cost within three years.

According to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), all signs, such as for sale signs and election signs, must remain at least 33 feet from the highway centerline. If residents keep all signs on their side of the sidewalk away from the road, no problems should arise.

The council is considering purchasing a new backhoe for the City and will consider all of the financing options that are available before approving the purchase. ​Fall fire hydrant pumping will begin this week and will continue every Wednesday until the end of October.

A motion was made and seconded to approve Stephanie Runkle’s letter of resignation from the city council. The council will be appointing an individual to fill the vacancy.

Lansing residents’ property taxes have been slightly raised due to the South Road Bridge replacement project.