At last (Monday) night’s regular meeting of the Milbank City Council, the council looked at ways of
updating or revising the city’s current snow removal procedures and routes in an effort to make the overall process more accommodating for both the city, local residents and business owners alike. As part of that process, the council also discussed the overall fairness of having a snow removal ordinance in effect whereby property owners would be assessed a general fee in the event the city is required to remove snow from residential sidewalks if the property owner fails to do so within a certain time frame after each measurable snowfall. During the discussion, it was noted there are areas in town where sidewalks are either not available or suitable for use, thus creating a situation where pedestrians may be forced to use the street as a means of getting from one area of town to another. In the end, it was noted that the topic of snow removal was listed as a general discussion item only in an effort to gather new ideas for making the overall process more feasible for everyone involved.
At last (Monday) night’s meeting, the council also approved a bid submitted by J & J Earth Works for the second phase of the Viola Street reconstruction project, which will extend from 7th Avenue to 10th Avenue. The project is scheduled to take place this summer.
In other business, Joel Foster, the council representative for the airport addressed some issues that came out some recent discussions with a group of individuals regarding the general operation of the city airport. Some concerns were expressed during the last council meeting in March about the way the airport was being managed and maintained by current airport staff. Councilman Foster indicated some of the key personnel in charge of overseeing the airport were relatively new on board and the issues of concern that were being addressed were primarily due to a general lack of communication and understanding by everyone involved. In an effort to better improve things, a recommendation has been made to establish a special committee which would meet on a quarterly basis to review general operating procedures at the airport. The meetings would also be open to the public, as well.
The council last (Monday) night also approved a series of temporary malt and wine licenses on behalf of the Milbank Area Chamber of Commerce for upcoming summer events being planned as part of this year’s Farley Fest 2018 celebration.
