The Scranton city council is taking a pro-active stand under the leadership of new mayor Randy Winkelman. Although the 150th anniversary of the founding of the community is three years off, a committee has been formed to plan the event.
Council members Julie McAleer and Ethel Subbert agreed to head up the committee for the sesquicentennial celebration in 2019. They are recruiting members from the community to assist in planning and hosting the event.
The council held a public hearing on the 2017 budget. With no written or oral comments received, the budget was adopted unanimously. The tax rate is $17.33366 (per thousand dollars of taxable valuation) with $3.00375 taxed on the ag land in the city limits.
During the open forum, Dustin Gustoff addressed the council on amending an ordinance to allow kennels inside the city limits. Additional information will be obtained for consideration.
Monthly reports were provided by:
- Dave Dideriksen, library: policies, accreditation, circulation, programs and new Kindle Fires.
- Dawn Rudolph, community center: building use, list of incomplete projects and the March fundraiser.
- Jim Jones and Chad Kirk, public works: upcoming training and meetings, pothole mix, water leak repair and sewer repair at City Hall.
A liquor license with outdoor service was approved for the Old Lincoln Highway 30 Bar. The Council approved $12,000 reimbursement to Doug Hawn for the 2015 community center remodel project.
Spring clean up has been scheduled for April 16. Letters were sent last weekend to local residents with information.
Other items discussed included use of casino funds, code enforcement, city hall signage, event insurance and the creation of a Long Range Planning Committee.
The council had a special meeting scheduled on March 29 in a joint session with representatives of the Scranton Betterment Committee and Community Center Board. The agenda included communication, transparency and reporting requirements related to City boards, committees and component units. ~The Scranton Journal
