A contract between the Mtn. View-Birch Tree School Board and the city of Mtn. View to lease the Herb Henry baseball field was discussed during the council’s September meeting, but Mtn. View City Council members decided to table the issue until their October meeting in order to give school board members time to review the contract.
The bill put forth Sept. 12 proposes a 20-year lease agreement between the city and the school district for the baseball filed, drawn up at the request of Assistant Superintendent Ryan Chowning. The district plans to make improvements to the field including new bleachers, lights and fencing, and has promised to maintain the field and property.
An amendment was made to city code to allow changes to charges by the Mtn. View Fire Department for responding to calls from non-members, the final vote taken with all in favor, and the first reading of a bill was likewise passed amending city laws pertaining to disorderly conduct. A second reading must pass council approval before it is made into ordinance.
Permission was given to Fire Chief Jason Taber to apply for a conservation grant, with a unanimous vote.
City Operations Manager Eddie Owens presented three bids to council members for the completion of remaining concrete work at the city pool, and the contract will be awarded to LP Iron and Dirtwork of Birch Tree at $24,808 plus the cost of concrete, pending the approval of funding.
Council members also authorized Owens to buy a brush mower for $5,000, the cost to be split by four city departments, which will all use the machinery.
Mayor John Krasuski informed council members that audits for the 2021 and 2022 fiscal years were received from KPM auditors out of Springfield.
The yearly Pioneer Days festival will be held Sept. 30 in downtown Mtn. View, creating the need for special parking enforcement that day by the Mtn. View Police Department. Assistant Police Chief Stetson Schwein requested and was granted permission to conduct the enforcmeent.
City council discussed Columbus Day, Oct. 9, and it was decided the day will not be a holiday for the city.
City Clerk Sara Chowning spoke about Wreaths Across America, a national nonprofit organization with the goal of laying wreaths on the graves of veterans or at cemeteries in each state, the territory of Puerto Rico and 24 overseas cemeteries.
The ceremonies are held in December, during the Christmas season.
In Mtn. View there are 184 veterans buried in Veterans Memorial Cemetery and Greenlawn Cemetery. A local Wreaths Across America ceremony will be held Dec. 16, the date designated nationally by the organization, Chowning shared.