Over the past several months, the city of Milbank has continued to look at ways of assisting property developers in an attempt to improve available housing options. At last (Monday) night’s meeting, the Milbank City Council revisited the issue after receiving a request the previous month from Jamie and Jeremy Andrews of J & J Land Sales, who at that time had requested that the city help fund some of the paving costs involved with the new Valley View Development project located along South Seventh Street. Last (Monday) night, both sides looked at ways of trying to better enhance current housing options within the general project area, but the matter eventually ended up being put on hold with a recommendation that the issue again be brought up for further debate at the council’s next regular meeting in December.
Another issue which has been heavily debated in recent months is the city’s current tree trimming ordinance. Last (Monday) night a concerned citizen was on hand who asked the council what the required time frame was for trimming trees which hang below the minimum height that is allowed above public sidewalks and right-of-way areas once an affected property receives a formal letter of non-compliance from the city. It was noted that property owners are generally given up to ten days to resolve the issue before the city brings in someone to perform the task at the property owner’s expense. City Administrator Jason Kettwig noted that the city may eventually need to look at raising the minimum height requirement that is now in effect under the current tree trimming ordinance as there have been occasional reports of taller vehicles still coming in contact with tree limbs that typically have been pruned to the required length that is allowed under the current ordinance.
In other business, it was noted that the City of Milbank has made some recent changes with its current employee health insurance coverage plan. City Administrator Jason Kettwig noted that while the city’s previous health insurance plan was providing adequate coverage, it was becoming to costly too maintain. With that in mind, the city has instead decided to apply for a different coverage plan which carries a higher deductible in an effort to help offset some of the higher premium costs.
The council also approved some recent changes that were made to the city’s employee policy handbook in an effort to keep everything totally in line for employees at all job levels.
In closing, the council set a date of Friday, December 23rd for conducting its regular year end meeting for the year 2017.
