Hazen City approves transit director, OKs $3,500 trailer removal and debates costly welcome sign

Hazen City council members met and approved several personnel and maintenance actions while debating the cost of a proposed new digital welcome sign.

The council voted to extend a conditional offer for the position of transit director to Sonny Brennan, including standard pre‑employment checks. Jesse Grant, a council member who helped interview the candidate, moved for the conditional offer; the motion was seconded and approved in a roll‑call vote with members Folghertz, Weidrich, Hack, Stern and Schifrow recorded as voting Aye.

The decision matters because the new hire is expected to manage daily transit operations and help evaluate technology choices. Committee member S3 described a vendor demonstration of transit management software that “automates scheduling, rider messaging and grant reporting,” and said the vendor’s implementation quote was “80,000 plus 28,000 annual maintenance.” Several council members questioned whether that scale of expense could be justified for roughly 200 riders per year and said they would seek smaller, scaled‑down options once the director is on board.

Council also authorized the removal of a condemned trailer near the tennis courts and approved paying up to $3,500 for hauling to the landfill; S3 reported the contractor’s firm quote and said the cost will be charged back to the trailer owner. The motion to authorize removal passed by voice and subsequent roll‑call votes were recorded as all Aye.

On capital projects, council discussed vendor proposals to replace the city’s welcome sign. Staff presented estimates in a range depending on materials and labor — roughly $106,000 to $121,000 for different thicknesses and installation options — and noted visibility concerns caused by nearby trees. Members suggested pursuing sponsorships, lower‑cost scrolling or retrofit alternatives and asked staff to investigate additional vendors and options before committing to a high‑cost digital unit.

Other actions: the council authorized city staff to sign and submit an application tied to the Indie Street pedestrian underpass project; approved purchase of a pop‑up Christmas tree after comparing two vendor quotes (one at roughly $2,065 after discount, another at about $5,900 plus shipping) and discussed storage, power and volunteer logistics; and appointed Sue Cahoon to fill an expired term on the Hazen Housing Authority.

The meeting included routine departmental reports: police call counts and a public‑works update that DC Steel is completing this year’s sanitary sewer rehab work with manual repairs now and asphalt patching planned in spring. The engineer present said crews would touch up gravel patches before winter and could assist with sign placement if law enforcement recommends changes at the intersection near the old West River building, where staff reported increased pedestrian activity after a therapy provider began using the site.

Votes at a glance

- Conditional offer for transit director (Sonny Brennan): approved by roll call; recorded Ayes — Folghertz, Weidrich, Hack, Stern, Schifrow. (See timeline provenance: SEG 346–SEG 416.)

- Authorization to submit Indie Street underpass paperwork (signature authorization): approved by voice vote. (SEG 283–SEG 309.)

- Purchase of a pop‑up Christmas tree (vendor selected from quotes): approved by voice vote. (SEG 781–SEG 862.)

- Appointment to Hazen Housing Authority (Sue Cahoon): approved by voice vote. (SEG 991–SEG 1026.)

- Approval of bills as presented and separate authorization to pay up to $3,500 to remove condemned trailer: approved by voice and roll‑call votes (trailer removal up to $3,500). (SEG 1220–SEG 1353.)

What’s next

Council members asked staff and police to monitor the intersection at 1st Street and 1st Avenue near the former West River building for several weeks to determine whether signage, a painted crosswalk or other low‑cost traffic calming is warranted. Staff was also asked to solicit more bids or sponsorship options for the welcome sign and to work with the incoming transit director on evaluating software and staffing needs.

The meeting concluded after routine bill approvals and the scheduled agenda items were completed.