Tea City Council approves sidewalk repair policy

During Monday’s Tea City Council meeting Police Chief Jessica Quigley presented her department’s budget request, highlighting some of the needs. Some items mentioned by Chief Quigley included updating camera systems, a computer, the purchase of an AED (automated external defibrillator), and updating the flooring at the Police Department offices.

Tea Fire Chief, Jeff Stahlecker also addressed the council with the Fire Department’s budget request. He touched on the need for updated communication—radios and pagers. He said the department will also pursue a grant to help purchase the needed equipment. Another item discussed by Chief Stahlecker was his desire to have all the fire department members look the same at community events, suggesting the purchasing of t-shirts for all active members.

The council will be going over the entire budget in two weeks.

In other business, the council had the 2nd reading of Ordinance #234 Rezoning Lots 4A, 5A, 7, 8, and 9, Zelmer 2nd Addition from CB-Central Business to R2-Residential. The lots are located on the west and north side of Figzel Court. Planning & Zoning Administrator, Kevin Nissen said he had not received any questions or concerns regarding the property. The council approved the 2nd Reading unanimously.

Also under zoning, the Council approved the Dakota Traffic Services Warehouse Site Plan — Lot 6, Carl Soukup Addition. The plan is to construct a 4000 sq. ft. building. Council also approved the foundation permit.

Other projects discussed that are on-going include: Busch Auto Gallery building plan, Otten addition preliminary plans, Weisser building addition, Tea Tots building addition and the Tea zoning map revision. Nissen said that land use map was adopted in 2008, so needed to be updated. He suggested to the council that they seek professional guidance on that.

Under the Engineering report, the City Engineer brought forward the Pay Application 1 (Final) for the 2016 Overlay Project. The Council asked Utilities Superintendent Thad Konrad if there were any concerns, to which he replied, “everything is good.”

The council approved the pay request.

The City of Tea has been in the process of inspecting sidewalks for defects. There are several corner lots that need to be repaired. Discussion on who would be responsible for the cost of repairing the defective corners was raised. It was decided that the homeowner would be responsible for the four foot sidewalk portion and the city would be responsible for the ADA panel and the concrete surrounding it. Council approved the sidewalk repair policy unanimously.