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Calumet council declares vacancy, approves community garden and removes seasonal parking on Gary Street
Summary
At its March 18 meeting the Calumet City Council adopted a resolution declaring a council vacancy for non‑attendance, approved a half‑acre community garden, and removed calendar parking on Gary Street while keeping a 12‑hour limit on all streets. The council also authorized playground work and several municipal expenditures.
The Calumet City Council unanimously adopted a resolution declaring a vacancy in Councilmember Amanda Hernesman’s seat for non‑attendance and set the seat to be filled at the next meeting, Mayor Mike Troop said after the vote. The action came at the council’s regular session on March 18, when Troop, Councilmembers Dan Strand, Barbara Banks and Steve Serich voted in favor; Hernesman was absent.
The council also moved on a package of local items. After hearing from resident Evan Petz, the council approved establishing a community garden of up to one‑half acre at either 3rd Avenue or 8th Avenue and directed Petz to work with Clerk April Serich on funding and grant options. "Evan will work with Clerk Serich on funding," the minutes record.
On a separate matter prompted by a police report about overnight enforcement, the council voted to adopt Resolution #25‑3‑18 to remove calendar parking on Gary Street. Councilmembers recorded a unanimous vote in favor; the city will keep a 12‑hour parking limit on all streets and remove the seasonal sign.
Engineer Alan Johnson of Bolten & Menk updated the council on water‑utility planning and grant timelines, urging the city to relist projects on the Project Priority List (PPL) for Water Infrastructure Fund grants by early May. Johnson described a lead inventory Phase II and said the program would cover replacement of lead and galvanized service lines without cost to homeowners or the city. Councilmember Strand moved to commission a financial review with Bolten & Menk (estimated $800–$1,000) and to reapply to the PPL with updated project costs; the motion carried and Clerk April Serich will coordinate.
The council approved several budgeted and one‑time expenditures: payment of LMC worker’s compensation dues ($4,582), an estimate of $20,123.63 for a Julie’s Jungle slide and a separate $16,500 installation estimate for Midwest Playscapes, OSHA and LMC safety training for public works staff, and a $250 donation to First Call for Help. The minutes show motions for these items carried without recorded opposition.
Other business included updates on code enforcement for a debris‑filled property on 7th Avenue (Clerk Serich was authorized to consult the city attorney and building inspector), a tabling of the proposed cannabis ordinance for later review, and a pre‑construction update on the city hall/library project. The council asked staff to investigate installing a smaller fire siren attachment rather than restoring the old rooftop siren.
The council approved a rental license for the apartment above the post office as a one‑bedroom unit, contingent on building‑inspector approval because the existing layout has no room for an egress window on the city‑hall side of the building. Mayor Troop also was authorized to seek a repair quote for exterior railings and to allow Clerk Serich to approve repairs under $1,000.
The meeting was called to order at 5:03 p.m. and adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
