Swisher council approves sewer pay request, continues extra Wednesday patrols and advances ordinance

Mayor Julie Persons called the Swisher City Council to order at 6:30 p.m. on July 8, and the council quickly moved through routine business before addressing several project and policy items.

The council voted to approve Pay Application No. 3 for the Sanitary Sewer Project, a single payment of $527,994.57 to Dave Schmitt Construction Co., Inc., covering work through June 28, 2024. The council also approved Change Order No. 2, a $7,613.32 increase that raises the contract total to $3,567,262.62. Curt Cline and Michael Stagg were recorded as movers on the pay application; Kody Pudil and Michael Stagg moved the change order. All votes on both items were recorded as aye.

In public-safety business, Council Member Kody Pudil moved and Daryl Hynek seconded a motion to continue the extra Wednesday-night patrols with sheriff deputies; the council approved the motion and set a review for the first meeting in December. The discussion included a staff comment from Public Works Superintendent Justin Fields describing recent crew mowing methods when staff had handled steep right-of-way areas.

Council approved a capital purchase to replace Blower #1's variable-frequency drive (VFD) at the Wastewater Treatment Plant by motion (mover Curt Cline, second Michael Stagg; all aye). The council also approved an event permit for the Swisher Men’s Club car show on Sept. 7, 2024 (rain date Sept. 8) with requested street closures and city- provided barriers.

Mayor Julie Persons and Amanda Stallman reported that a maple tree damaged during the derecho is nearly dead and an ash tree in Castek Park is dead; both were described as hazards to people and property. The council voted to include these trees with the ash trees on Swisher View when the city solicits bids for tree removal.

Council Member Daryl Hynek asked the council to consider amendments to City Code Chapter 135.10 (Property Owner’s Responsibility for Maintenance) and Chapter 52.01 (Weeds and Noxious Growths) after about ten letters were sent to Division Street property owners notifying them that city staff will discontinue mowing right-of-way abutting those properties effective Aug. 1. Curt Cline raised safety concerns for owners with steep ditches; Public Works Superintendent Justin Fields described recent mowing methods used by staff. The mayor called for a motion to amend the cited code sections but no motion was made and no code changes were adopted at this meeting.

The council approved Resolution 45-2024 appointing Emily Carlson, 60 Division St. SW, Swisher, to the Swisher Community Fund Board of Trustees for a term ending June 30, 2027 (motion by Kody Pudil, second Adam Roeder; Cline, Hynek, Pudil, Roeder, Stagg — recorded aye).

The council approved Ordinance 06-2024, an amendment to City Code Chapter 165.29 (Supplementary District Regulations). The council approved the first reading, voted to waive the requirement of three separate readings, and then approved the second and third readings as recorded in the minutes.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn at 7:32 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 45-2024 (appointment of Emily Carlson) — approved (Cline, Hynek, Pudil, Roeder, Stagg — aye). Resolution 46-2024 (Pay App No. 3 to Dave Schmitt Construction Co., Inc., $527,994.57) — approved (Hynek, Pudil, Roeder, Stagg, Cline — aye). Resolution 47-2024 (Change Order No. 2, $7,613.32; contract total $3,567,262.62) — approved (Pudil, Roeder, Stagg, Cline, Hynek — aye). Ordinance 06-2024 (amend Ch. 165.29) — first reading approved, waiver of three readings approved, second and third readings approved and adopted.

What’s next: The council will revisit the extra Wednesday-night patrols at the first meeting in December and will solicit bids that include the specified park and Swisher View trees for removal. The minutes record no additional public hearings or staff reports requiring immediate action.