Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Updates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Willard updates: Arbor Day planting, food giveaways, hydrant flushing, cleanup days and a shelter arson arrest
Summary
The City Manager reported an Arbor Day planting, ongoing food giveaways, a planned citywide hydrant flushing of 488 hydrants, Clean-Up Days with tire-recycling fees, and a reported attempted arson at the Fratta Shelter that led to an arrest; donations to city funds were also accepted.
During its April 20 meeting the Willard City Manager reviewed public-works and community-service updates: an Arbor Day celebration at Willard Park with the planting of a Liberty Elm; continuation of Second Harvest food giveaways (schedule to be announced); and upcoming Clean-Up Days at the Soccer Complex, including tire recycling ($4 per tire off the rim, $5 per tire on the rim) for in-town residents.
The City Manager said the electric aggregation program was renewed and noted the city's fixed-rate option will remain available for 18 months; residents were cautioned to review third-party electricity offers because some are short-term or variable rate plans. The City Manager also emphasized that the city will not send representatives door to door or call residents on behalf of the aggregation program.
Hydrant flushing is scheduled to begin next Monday and will cover 488 hydrants; the City Manager advised residents not to run laundry if flushing is occurring in their area. Maintenance staff reported work repairing a misaligned alley that had crossed private property following a sale, pouring concrete at the bulk water station, and addressing traffic signal repairs; the department has placed a concrete block by a pedestrian light and will consider additional protection for signal boxes.
Police Department representatives reported spring-break training at schools to familiarize officers with building layouts and offered to schedule walkthroughs for other facilities. The department also briefed the council on e-bike safety and regulatory gaps for certain classes of electric bikes. The Police Department reported an attempted arson at the Fratta Shelter (a trash can next to the shelter was set on fire) and said an arrest has been made; no further details were recorded in the minutes.
Council accepted a $2,929.04 donation from the Willard Moose Lodge to Fund 817 (the minutes record this fund's later renaming) and a $500 anonymous donation to Fund 870 (Decoration Fund); motions to accept both donations were moved by Olson, seconded by Danhoff, and approved unanimously.
The City Manager also announced logistics for the annual garage sales (May 7'9; $3 signup fee to benefit the food bank) and noted hydrant-flushing and street-repair schedules will be posted and that the public may contact the City Manager's office with questions.
