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Council OKs bathroom upgrades, campground tree work and Akeley Lions’ Paul Bunyan Days plans
Summary
The council approved ordering stainless-steel bathroom receptacles and hand dryers, authorized marking trees in the campground, and granted the Akeley Lions permission for Paul Bunyan Days activities while agreeing to split the $1,250 circuit-installation cost with the Lions ($625 from parks funds).
Council and staff approved several parks and facilities items at the March 11 meeting that affect community events and seasonal operations.
City Hall discussed the bathroom-supply project and vendor coordination. Staff said Pat from Rock Solid recommended consolidating orders; staff recommended stainless-steel feminine-hygiene receptacles for cleaner maintenance at about $85 each and automatic hand dryers. Mayor Brian Hitchcock moved to approve ordering the bathroom supplies through Office Shop, including stainless-steel receptacles and hand dryers; Council member Dale Nelson seconded and the motion passed.
Parks work includes a plan for Council members Dan Riggs and Dale Nelson to walk the campground and mark trees needing removal or attention before the park opens for the season.
Randy Vredenburg, representing the Akeley Lions, described early plans for a "movie in the park" and said the Lions want to use the lot under the water tower for Paul Bunyan Days cow-pie poker and are discussing a beer-cart with the liquor-store manager. The council approved the cow-pie poker at the water-tower lot. The Lions asked to install two 20-amp circuits on a post at a total cost of $1,250; Council member Dale Nelson moved to approve the circuits and split costs with the Lions so the city would pay $625 from parks funds, a motion seconded by Council member Dan Riggs and carried by the council.
During public forum Frank Lamb, speaking for the Historical Society, asked that the museum bathrooms be removed once the new bathrooms are operational to create extra space; he added that Carol Stevens would stain Paul Bunyan's cradle at Paul’s Patio if the city buys the stain product.
Why it matters: approved upgrades aim to improve durability and maintenance of public restrooms; cost-sharing for electrical work enables community events to have power while limiting the immediate budget impact on the city.
Next steps: staff to place the Office Shop order for bathroom supplies and Parks to schedule tree marking and coordinate circuit installation with the Lions.
