Lake City Council approves lighting upgrades, raises bartender wages and OKs multiple contracts; denies road‑vacate request

The Lake City City Council on Aug. 5 approved a set of routine administrative measures including an energy‑efficiency lighting upgrade, wage changes and several service contracts while declining to reopen a previously denied road‑vacate request.

City Administrator Jacob Matthews told the council the Cruz Electric lighting assessment would improve lighting at the Town Square and the Lake City Library and could be funded from LOST funds; he said the net city investment would be about $16,000, with projected annual electricity savings of $3,477 and an estimated payback period of roughly 4.6 years. Council approved the Cruz Electric proposal.

The council also approved a package of operational actions: a consent agenda including minutes and alcohol licenses; a conditional building permit for the Willie property (the existing residence must be demolished or moved within 12 months of new construction completion); a Sept. 15 road closure for a Fire Department Water Wars event; and Change Order #1 on the pickleball court project, which passed with one abstention.

Council voted to establish a city‑provided bartender rate of $15 per hour plus tips and to set a fee of $20 per hour when the city provides bartenders for Community Building events, actions the council said would ensure competitive pay and cover overhead.

Other contract actions approved included a three‑year lawn‑care contract with Garrett Ortner at $12,000 per year and the adoption of Resolution 2024‑47 appointing the Calhoun County Phoenix as the official city newspaper for the remainder of 2024.

The meeting also included administrative updates from City Administrator Jacob Matthews and Chief of Police Schaffer on grants, personnel and upcoming ordinance workshops. During public comment, Jeanne Devine asked the council to set aside funds for entry/exit flags; Mayor Mike Schleisman directed the item be added to the Aug. 19 agenda. Tyler Johnston requested reconsideration of a road‑vacate request; Mayor Schleisman said the prior denial would stand because of buried city utilities.

Votes at a glance: • Consent agenda — motion by Councilperson Daniel, seconded by Gorden; outcome: approved (all ayes). • Willie building permit (conditional demolition/move within 12 months) — motion by Councilperson Daniel, seconded by Wilson; outcome: approved (all ayes). • Road closure for Fire Department Water Wars (Sept. 15) — motion by Councilperson Daniel, seconded by Gorden; outcome: approved (all ayes). • Light at 6th Street & Jennings Ave — motion by Councilperson Bruns, seconded by Daniel; outcome: approved (all ayes). • Pickleball Court Change Order #1 — motion by Councilperson Bruns, seconded by Wilson; Councilperson Daniel abstained; outcome: approved. • Cruz Electric lighting assessment proposal — motion by Councilperson Bruns, seconded by Gorden; outcome: approved (all ayes). • Sensus annual support contract (meter reader software) — motion by Councilperson Bruns, seconded by Daniel; outcome: approved (all ayes). • Bartender wage increase to $15/hr plus tips — motion by Councilperson Daniel, seconded by Wilson; outcome: approved (all ayes). • Community Building bartender fee ($20/hr per city bartender) — motion by Councilperson Daniel, seconded by Wilson; outcome: approved (all ayes). • Garrett Ortner three‑year lawn care contract ($12,000/year) — motion by Councilperson Daniel, seconded by Gorden; outcome: approved (all ayes). • Resolution 2024‑47 (appoint Calhoun County Phoenix as official newspaper) — motion approved by roll call (Ayes: Gorden, Bruns, Daniel, Wilson; Vogt absent). • Adjournment — motion by Councilperson Daniel, seconded by Wilson; outcome: approved (all ayes).

What happens next: Council directed staff to advertise the Catalyst Grant RFP, to add a flags/beauification budget item to the Aug. 19 agenda and to arrange a structural engineering review of the bandstand (see separate item). The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 19, 2024 at 6 p.m.