Resident feels S. Broadway traffic too fast
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
How fast is too fast to drive on South Broadway Ave. in New Richland?
The question was brought before the New Richland City Council at its first meeting of the month Monday, Aug. 12 at City Hall. All council members were there, as were police chief Tony Martens and ambulance crew member Monica Schutrop, along with visitors Sharon Eckart, Larry Goehring and Pam Goehring.
Mayor Mike Shurson reminded Eckart she had only three minutes to speak before she made her plea to lower the speed limit.
“I’m here to request the speed limit on South Broadway be reduced to 20 mph,” said Eckart. “I’m concerned for the children. I counted 12 kids in a block and a half there, and I’d hate to see anything happen to them. I feel 30 mph is just too fast.”
The council will take it into consideration.
The council did some major moving of funds, passing two resolutions.
Resolution 19-06 authorized moving $267,106 to the Capital Improvement Fund. The money was left over after a street project was completed and, according to the resolution, can only be used for improvements authorized by state statute.
Resolution 19-07 transferred $188,671 from the General Fund to the Capital Fund.
Both transfers were recommended by the city’s auditor.
Martens gave the police report, requesting the purchase of signs for Legion Field prohibiting overnight parking. Up to $100 was approved for no-solicitation signs at five entrances to the city. The council also authorized spending $2,400 for two bulletproof vests, the cost of which will be covered by federal and state grants.
Martens’ department responded to 146 calls in July, bringing the yearly total to 864 compared to 766 last year. Under-age drinking was an issue during Farm & City Days, according to Martens, who plans to address it with event organizers.
“Outside of those issues, it was a pleasant weekend,” he reported.
Martens said all calls requiring follow-up have been completed. No mention was made of any progress finding out who committed the vandalism at All Saints Catholic Church.
No one was there to present the New Richland Fire Dept. report.
Schutrop said the ambulance service had 33 runs in July and has made 166 so far this year.
Shurson asked her about staffing levels.
“I would like more,” said Schutrop. “I would like to recruit.”
Schutrop said recruitment efforts have been very successful in Kiester.
Schutrop reported $625 in donations and said thank-you notes have been mailed.
The council approved a request of $390.50 for ambulance supplies.
City clerk Wayne Billing talked about procuring a grant for improvements to the bathrooms at City Park, Legion Field and St. Olaf Lake. It would be a matching grant.
“The most I could free up would be $3,000,” said Billing.
He was told to proceed with the grant process.
Billing said the preliminary budget for 2020 calls for a 6.7 percent increase.
Councilman Jason Casey asked why last year’s increase was 12.1 percent, which he seemed to consider on the high side. There was no definitive answer, though Billing said, “I look for it to level out, and not need so much.”
Casey called for a special meeting to discuss the proposed budget, which has to be certified by Sept. 30. They set Monday, Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. for a meeting time.