City council approves funding for third court at new school

The Tea City Council met Jan. 8 and approved funding for a third court at the new elementary school.

The council approved up to $500,000 for a third court at the new Venture Elementary on the south end of Tea. Mayor John Lawler noted this would be in the 2019 budget.

They approved the Dec. 18 meeting minutes and the warrants.

Planning and zoning administrator Kevin Nissen presented the second reading for ordinance 250. It is a rezone of tract 5 in the Howling Ridge Addition from agricultural to R-1. The council approved.

City engineer Ben Scholtz has been in contact with Harvard Industries about the drainage question from DeGeests. While Harvard has not made a commitment, their contractor has come up with a solution that would be in the $2,000 to $3,000 range. Lawler wants things to keep moving forward to come up with a solution.

Scholtz has been talking with Lincoln County about site plan reviews.

The council approved the garbage hauler license for Waste Management.

City administrator Dan Zulkosky talked about the Lewis & Clark meter building. He has also been talking with Lincoln County Rural Water. He will have more information at the next meeting.

The council set the date of April 10 for the next city council election. Lawler and councilors Joe Weis, Brian Fowlds and Todd Boots all have terms that expire in 2018.

They approved the employee benefit package. They also approved ordinance 249, the 2017 supplemental appropriations ordinance in the amount of $475,000.

Utilities superintendent Thad Konrad presented information on a new UTV. The council approved the purchase at a cost of $22,687.

With one employee less at City Hall, the council approved the temporary part-time hiring of finance officer Dawn Murphy’s son Collin. They have received more than 40 applications for the park and rec position.

The council approved the publishing of salaries for city employees and officers.

Lawler said they need to keep in mind the parade route for Teapot Days when they have to do traffic detours this summer.