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Committee approves donated benches for stormwater pond, flags maintenance and liability questions
Summary
A resident offered to build and donate benches for a stormwater retention pond near the post office; the committee approved accepting and placing the benches, with staff to determine placement, security, and long-term maintenance. The motion passed on the record; no numeric vote tally was recorded in the transcript.
The Cottage Grove Public Works, Properties and Sustainability Committee approved accepting donated benches to be installed at a stormwater retention pond near the post office, after staff explained the request and the committee discussed liability and maintenance.
A Public Works staff member reported that a resident had contacted Trustee Cindy Kalm Nelson offering to build and donate benches and materials for installation at the pond, which is on an easement near the post office. Staff described that the village currently does not mow or maintain the area around that pond and that the resident would place the bench where they prefer unless placement is directed by staff and the board.
Trustees raised questions about long-term maintenance responsibility and potential liability from fishing or skating on the pond. One trustee said: “...I look at safety and liability right away as the first question mark as to does this do anything to create exposures for us?” Staff replied that the bench would be discussed here, then potentially go to Parks and ultimately to Village Board for final approval, and that staff could secure and place the benches if accepted.
A trustee moved to approve accepting and installing the donated benches; a second was recorded and the chair called for the vote. The transcript records the motion passed and notes the benches would be given to the village and staff could place or relocate them as directed. The transcript does not include a numeric roll-call tally of the vote.
The committee asked staff to consider securing the benches to prevent removal or vandalism and to clarify maintenance responsibility before final placement and installation. Final placement and long-term maintenance were left to staff and eventual Village Board action.
