Riverside city hall needs generator

Although it originally was part of the major remodeling for the new Riverside city hall, a backup generator was deleted from the plans. Monday, the council addressed the need for one whose purchase and installaiton would be no more than $7,000.
The unit, which could be fueled by LP or natural gas, would be installed at the southside of the building. When council member Ralph Schnoebelen suggeted battery backup instead, Mayor Brian McDole said the concern is that batteries would not be sufficient, that everything is digital and there would be neither power nor phones and lights. Council member Kevin Kiene suggested that the city hall may not have a sufficient gas supply to operate both a generator and a furnace. After more discussion, the council agreed additional information is needed and the item will be on the next meeting agenda.
The council also discussed traffic on Highway 22, which is the city’s main street, suggesting that the sheriff’s office issue speeding tickets. Sheriff Jerry Dunbar, who was present, said, “We could get some reserves in at $15 per hour.” He added that the previous mayor had asked about extra patrol hours.
Mayor Brian McDole stressed “We have to figure out how to slow people down, 22 is just terrible.”
Council member Betty Kaalberg said, “Hire someone for a little while to get everyone scared.”
Questions also were raised about having a camera unit on speed signs, but City Attorney Les Lamping said the cost of such equipment is high.
During citizen time, Mike O’Leary, who lives near the edge of the town, asked about the $75,000 for a sign. City Adminsitrator Tina Thomas said it could go up to $300,000 and O’Leary said they city could be “more conservative” with the sign and put money away for the Recreation (Community) Center. There is no site for the proposed facility yet.
He also asked about city grants to aid downtown business remodeling and was told, to date, two have availed themselves of it.
In other business, the council:

• held a public hearing for voluntary annexation of the Larry Tener property. No objections were raise, but the issue was continued to the next meeting pending receiving a final plat;
• learned that the law enforcement contract for next year will be $38,477 an increase of $828 an communications cost will be $34,861, an increase of $566;
• learned that the city has received a down payment of less than one percent of the $289,000 price for lot 2 in the city’s commercial area, and that Lamping suggested the city should change the regulations to get a larger down payment and one that is not refundable if the sales does not take place. Lamping noted that the down payment should cover city expenses in the sale. The site will be for a new hotel;
• approved a proclamation for a National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans for February 14, as part of the national observance;
• were asked by McDole to consider adding to the design standards and convenants for the city so that developers can match the city’s plan. Among the concerns is lighting and he suggested that the Visioning Committee decide what type of lights be used in the two industrial parks;
• approved the city paying registration fees to send Planning & Zoning Commission members to a workshop in April, but not mileage fees.