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Chief: sirens warn of severe weather; Mendota unveils Safe Routes non‑infrastructure plan
Summary
Fire Chief Rutishauser told the council sirens indicate severe weather rather than necessarily a tornado after recent storms; Annie Short presented a Comprehensive Plan funded by a Safe Routes to School Non‑Infrastructure Grant identifying school-area safety fixes for future grant work.
Fire Chief Rutishauser reported to the council that emergency sirens sounded several times on April 17 during severe weather and cautioned residents that the sirens "indicate severe weather, not necessarily a tornado," noting they are intended primarily to warn people who are outdoors. He also informed the council that a tornado touched down west of Mendota, causing damage to structures and trees and overturning two semi‑tractor trailers on I‑39; several agencies assisted the Mendota Fire Department during the response.
Annie Short presented a Comprehensive Plan produced with a Safe Routes to School Non‑Infrastructure Grant. The plan, the minutes state, identifies safety issues around Mendota schools and recommends remedies the city can reference in future grant applications to fund infrastructure or programmatic fixes.
Council discussion focused on public warning expectations and the use of the grant plan in pursuing funding for pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements near schools.
