Canopies for the park
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
The Edmonton City Council met on Monday, September 12 for the special called September meeting. All were in attendance.
Before the meeting, a public hearing was held for comments on the use of Municipal Road Aid Funds and Local Government Economic Assistance (LGEA) Funds. No comments were received and the hearing was closed.
The second reading of Ordinance 2022-2023-02 assessing property tax on motor vehicles and watercraft within the city of Edmonton passed with no changes. This tax has remained unchanged at 15.2 (per $100) since 1983.
The first reading of Ordinance 2022-2023-03 assessing Real Estate and Personal Property taxes was approved at the rate of .083 (per $100). This is down .001 from the 2021 rate of .084.
Park Director Bryan Garrett reported that there were 93 signed up for the fall leagues. Twenty more than for the spring. Also, options and estimates were brought before the council for the cover over the bleachers at Edmonton Memorial Park.
Mayor Doug Smith read the estimates received. Bluegrass Recreation Company quoted $178,718 and Landscape Structures quoted $233,580. Neither of these quotes includes cement underneath. They do include the metal post cement footers, framework, and canopy. The canopies can be removed for storage during winter weather.
“Everything else we’ve done we kinda caught the right way we were doing it and got the cheaper price, however, everythings went up. And this one from the time we started it til now, it’s went up a lot,” explained Smith.
A Land and Water Conservation Grant in the amount of $133,705.22 received earlier in the year will cover $66,852.61 of the cost. As a 50/50 grant, the city will be responsible for paying the same amount.
The council voted to accept the lower estimate from Bluegrass Recreation Co. by a vote of 5 – 1 with the 1 nay cast by council member Wayne Wilson.
Police Chief Delaney Wilson presented the August activity report. There were 44 traffic stops, 69 complaints, 16 arrests, 35 citations written, 5 animal complaints, 11 warrants issued, 5 domestic calls, 4 non-injury accidents, 1 injury accident, 3 new investigations, 2 incomplete 911 calls, 2 EPOs, 2 drug-related calls, and 4 medical calls, for a total of 203 calls worked. August was 10 from July.
Fire Chief Jerry Clemmons reported 17 runs in August with 8 of those being lift assists, 5 medical, 1 alarm, 1 injury accident, 1 non-injury accident, and 1 public service run.
Chief Clemmons asked the council for approval to purchase an onboard charger for ladder truck #1 and a replacement backup camera for engine #1. He was advised to get price estimates and bring them back to the council’s next meeting.
In other business, the Halloween Trick or Treat hours were set within the city limits. On Monday, October 31st the hours to trick or treat are 4 – 7 p.m. The city and businesses will set up in the Edmonton Memorial Park as done last year for drive-thru trick or treating from 4 – 6 p.m.
