Resident raises sidewalk safety concern; board addresses mowing, snow-plow damage and approves downtown parking stripes

During public comment, resident Clarence Zywiec gave his name and address and asked the board to clear gravel, rock and dirt from the sidewalk on the south side of the railroad tracks, saying the debris—reported to come from a Frontier drive—creates a slip and trip hazard for pedestrians and cyclists. He asked the Board to clean the sidewalk from the south side of the railroad tracks down to the highway and to fill potholes near the tracks that residents must drive over.

Utility Superintendent Doug Michalak and Clerk Marianna Evans talked about mowing the Union Pacific right-of-way; Evans said contractor Reves previously charged $50 per hour for mower work and $75 per hour for tractor use. The Village has been mowing the right-of-way to maintain ordinance compliance because Union Pacific could not be reached; the board discussed raising the fee but took no action.

Trustee Van Steyn reported a March 19 snow-plowing incident in which his van’s passenger-side mirror was broken. He asked whether village insurance should pay for the repair; Chairperson Schlesinger said no police report was filed and reminded trustees that vehicles must be off streets during snow-plowing per resolution; Steyn said he would pay for the repair. The board discussed issuing a November notice about towing vehicles left on streets during plowing.

Chairperson Schlesinger proposed painting parking stripes on 8th Street downtown to improve parking patterns; he and Michalak offered to do the work. Schlesinger moved to approve painting the stripes and Nick Wagoner seconded; the board voted unanimously in favor.

The board also received routine departmental updates and approved payment of the month’s bills.