Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Gerald board outlines 2025 goals, park facelift plans and public-safety tax push
Summary
At a Jan. 30 workshop, the Gerald Board of Aldermen discussed scanning records, a planned SXS permit day, park improvements including new playground equipment and paving, water system repairs, meter installs and outreach for a proposed public safety tax to fund additional officers.
The Gerald Board of Aldermen spent its Jan. 30 workshop reviewing a set of 2025 priorities that included public-safety outreach, park upgrades, infrastructure repairs and administrative tasks.
City staff reported plans to scan deeds, easements and minutes to improve records access; the City Clerk and Administrator are preparing a 2024 budget amendment for the February regular meeting. The clerk also said the city will hold an SXS/UTV/ATV/scooter/golf cart permit sale on Feb. 22, 2025, between 9 a.m. and noon.
Public Works Director Dave DeFrenne outlined multiple capital and maintenance priorities: soliciting bids to replace flat roofs on Well 2 and Well 3 (with a preference for slanted roofs), moving electric to underground for Well 3, aeration work expected from Clark’s in March, and progress on meter installations (about 40 meters installed so far, with the goal of installing current inventory by June 2025).
A major portion of the discussion centered on park improvements. Alderman Kyle Guerrant said a retaining wall and playground construction would run about $45,000; he estimated paving and parking-lot repairs at roughly $230,000 and said two rotten utility poles need replacement at about $890 each. The board discussed repairing the gazebo, replacing a swing set, updating the bridge over the lake, converting tennis courts to accommodate pickleball, and installing a new entrance sign.
On public safety, Mayor Angela Koepke and Police Chief Jim Helton discussed pursuing a public-safety tax to fund an additional officer and increase school-hour coverage; Chief Helton and City Administrator Nick Grube said they will go door-to-door to advertise the proposed tax.
Alderman Cary Parker flagged concerns about limited housing growth and asked staff to explore animal-control options; Parker said Public Works is doing good work and recommended more grant-seeking to fund projects. Alderman Corey Novotney supported Main Street curb-appeal work and continuing the Rock Island Trail toward the county line. Alderman Rudy Via raised a request to begin the process to declare the VFW a dangerous structure and expressed concerns about cleanup of a burned property on Bernhardt that is being used for business activity.
Community member Linda Trest told the board that an arbor at Legion Park made from composite material will be placed soon and suggested low-maintenance ideas such as a frog pond and painted rocks around the city park entrance sign.
The workshop transitioned into a special meeting at 6:30 PM where the board approved several motions, including a budget transfer and equipment purchases. The board adjourned at 6:52 PM.
