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Advance Aldermen approve budget, hear library and park reports
The Advance Board of Aldermen met on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 to consider city business for both October and November.
Of primary consideration was the approval of the city budget, which was contained in the aldermen's binders. With a vote of 4-0, the budget was approved for 2015-2016.
Mayor Carl Ritter advised the board that city finances were in "good shape."
"We're not rich, but we're doing okay," Ritter said. "We were able to spend some money on streets, so the city looks pretty good."
Advance Community Library Board President, Cara Mayberry, gave the library's year-end report to the city, briefly outlining the library's activities for the 2014-2015 fiscal year, which ended on September 30. She thanked the city council for their support of a budget that allows the library to be certified by the state, and, thus, receive State Aid and apply for grants.
"Today, we received the $2,098.96 check from the state for our recent technology grant," Mayberry explained. "With this grant, the library was able to replace two of our 11-year-old computers, at no expense to the city. We furnished the matching funds for the grant through patron donations."
The library received a second grant for children's books.
Mayberry emphasized the importance of providing free computer usage for the members of the community who do not have home computers. The local Mennonite community has made particular use of library computers for such tasks as applying for passports for their missionary trips to the Ukraine.
Mayberry also reported that the library had conducted several successful and well-attended children's programs throughout the year. The Christmas "Frozen" program attracted 80 children, and the "Every Hero has a Story" Summer Reading program was popular. Library board volunteers conduct the programs.
Park Board president Ryan Schrader was present to report on park news. He indicated that a softball tournament is still in the works for July 1, 2016, and the park board is currently busy tearing up the grass and sowing new grass in one of the ball fields. This work is being done with support from patrons and at no cost to the city. Mayor Ritter said that the city would not install sprinklers for the project, but he did indicate that the city would furnish the materials for the renovation of two dugouts, if the park board could get volunteer labor.
A new scoreboard for the girls' softball field is also being donated by patrons.
There was some continuing discussion concerning the possibility of a sand volleyball court, but no decisions were made. It seems that Advance had a sand volleyball court at some time in the past, but it was allowed to grow up in cockleburs. Mayor Ritter reminded the board that all sand volleyball courts must comply with state safety regulations. There are currently two tennis courts at Westfield Park, though one is not in good condition. Both are lighted at night.
The mayor also reported that new playground equipment for Umfleet Park is expected any day. The city installed a new merry-go-round earlier this year, and the new equipment will be installed in that location at a total cost to the city of $9,309, including shipping and professional installation.
"Playground equipment is not cheap," said the mayor, "but we needed more things for the smaller children. We've also installed more lighting in Umfleet Park for people who want to walk at night.
The money for these park projects comes from a tax that brings in approximately $75,000 a year and is shared equally between the parks and the fire department. Advance has three parks--Mabery, Umfleet, and Westfield.
In the water maintenance report, board members learned that a recent visit from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) revealed the agency's dissatisfaction with the city's 20,000 gallon holding tank. Though the tank is not leaking, there appears to be a crack in the concrete. DNR says it has to be fixed. Someone is coming to inspect it Wednesday, Nov. 4.
The mayor also reported problems with the metal roof on the water treatment plant. It seems that chlorine eats metal, and there is concern that the roof may fall in. board members discussed the idea of removing the metal roof and installing a wooden roof with shingles, but Ryan Schrader said that MFA has problems with the nails in their shingle roof corroding, so the city will have to conduct some research into the roof problems.
In other maintenance news, the city has replaced a faulty pump in one of the lift stations, but the mayor recommended that, if financing will allow, they should order another pump, since it takes so long to get them. All the generators are working well.
In the last order of business, aldermen approved not charging for business licenses again this year. Businesses help out in other ways by such things as contributing to the Christmas decorations.
The next regular meeting of the Advance City Council would be on Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, unless it is called off for the Christmas season.