Membership on the Park & Recreation Commission was discussed and recommended for a reduction from 7 to 5 members. The first reading of an ordinance to make this change was passed. Final passage is scheduled for May 5th.
In July 2009 the MN DOT will be starting a highway project between Butterfield and Windom. This project will require MN DOT to detour traffic for about two months through Windom on 16th Street and Lakeview Avenue. Please take care when driving these streets and watch out for children and other pedestrians.
A discussion on building permit fees was held with Jim Kartes, Building Inspector. An idea had been raised to lower building permit fees as a way to help stimulate building and remodeling. The City currently uses the 1994 State fee schedule and if changes were made to the fee schedule the State would likely require Windom to start charging permit fees for plumbing and HVAC projects and adopt the States 2003 fee schedule, both of these things would increase costs to homeowners, contractors and builders. The City Council voted to keep the current building permit fee schedule.
On April 29th the Utility Commission will host a presentation on wind energy at its upcoming meeting at 10:00 a.m. in the City Hall, Council Chamber. Council members and the public are welcome to attend. A Special City Council meeting will be posted as a majority of City Council members indicated they planned on attending.
Earlier in the year the City Council had discussed holding a public meeting in May 2009 to receive input on the 2010 budget and community priorities. The State legislature is scheduled to adjourn on May 18th; however, without a budget bill close to being passed by the House, Senate and signed by the Governor it is likely that the legislative session will last beyond the May 18 adjournment date. Due to this situation the status of Local Government Aid (LGA) payments to the City will be unknown. The Council decided to wait until its May 19th meeting before setting a date for a public input meeting on the 2010 budget. The City's e-mail address (mailto:savewindommoney@windom-mn.com) to solicit comments is still active. Copies of the budget summary and line-by-line 2009 budget is on the web site, so please e-mail us with your comments.
Spring Clean-up will be this weekend (April 25th) for those with regular garbage pick-up on Thursdays and May 2nd for those with a regular garbage pick-up on Fridays. Please take advantage of this opportunity to toss out old, unused and junk items. Outdoor storage of items often leads to complaints by citizens to the Police Department and City Building Department. Following the Spring Clean-up weekends the City will be more actively enforcing the existing nuisance ordinances.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the nice Spring weather.
