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Council weighs park restroom repairs, riverfront inspections and a camper-on-property dispute
Summary
Councilmembers discussed park bathroom plumbing and septic repair options (an initial quote near $5,000), riverfront inspection follow-up and a reported camper living inside a shed on 14th Street that the county health department declined to pursue.
Buffalo City councilmembers spent part of their July 14 meeting discussing infrastructure and community concerns, including possible park restroom repairs, riverfront vegetation clearing, cemetery maintenance and an ongoing camper-on-property situation at a 14th Street residence.
City Superintendent Eric Mann told the council he is willing to do much of the excavation work for park restroom plumbing and septic repairs if the city can rent equipment to reduce costs; a plumber would complete piping. The minutes record an original contractor estimate of about $5,000 for the complete project, and Mann said he would obtain additional quotes.
Council members also reviewed cemetery maintenance: the site was sprayed for bugs the previous week, and members discussed possible help from Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the idea of robotic mowers to reduce upkeep costs. Public Works is considering shelving for the cemetery shed and working on vision clearance at intersections.
At the riverfront, the clerk and superintendent will recheck inspections; the city was granted permission to clear overgrowth near the corner of 1st Street and River, and councilmembers discussed placing a camera at the Upper Spring Lake landing to monitor activity.
A contested local issue involved a 14th Street property where someone is living in a camper inside a shed. Mayor Ben Holien asked for guidance; Councilmember Larry Johansen said the council’s actions amounted to harassment of the property owner, while Councilmember Jeannie Czaplewski said the situation appeared to violate city ordinance prohibiting camping without a residence. The County Health Department told the city it would not pursue the matter after inspecting conditions that included a porta-potty and no running water. The council reached consensus that the mayor should not pursue further enforcement at this time but will continue to monitor the situation.
Councilmember George Fuller also reported the Community Action Committee’s Fourth of July event went well and brought in donations that helped fund activities including music and fireworks.
Councilmembers reviewed building-permit activity: eight permits were issued, including new-home permits on South River Road and County Road OO; they determined a proposed addition on North River Road meets the city’s height requirements and will be allowed to proceed with a new permit.
No formal votes on these discussion items were recorded beyond direction to obtain quotes, re-inspect riverfront areas and monitor the 14th Street situation.
