CITY OPENS BIDS, OKs BUDGET

    The Britton City Council met on Monday evening. At the beginning of the meeting, bids for 120 acres of farm ground near the airport were opened. Four bids were received with the top two being Ray Effling at $70 per acre ($8,400 total) and Blake Stiegelmeier at $66/acre ($7,920 total). The two top bidders will now have the opportunity to rebid on the project with bids to be submitted on Monday. 
    During the meeting, the second reading of the budget ordinance passed and the budget for next year was adopted. An ordinance to supplement the 2023 budget was also adopted. See the public notice section in this week’s paper for more information on both of these items.
    The group convened as the Zoning board to discuss a possible variance requested by Joey Pierson. Pierson plans to put in a garage on his property near First Street and asked for a variance to have 12 foot sidewalls. City code allows for ten foot walls. The board passed the variance.
    Two engineers from ISG were at the meeting to share updates on various projects. They brought up the upcoming reconstruction of streets following sewer work. The patchwork of parts of the road between the hospital and Wheatcrest was originally planned to be four inches thick. With street improvements hoped for in the future, Public Works Supervisor George Flanery suggested a thinner patch of two inches, which the engineers believe will be adequate and save over $100,000. The council also agreed to this. 
    The engineers also explained a possible amendment to the South Main lift station and sanitary sewer project. Some temporary and permanent easements will have to be sought for the project. This was approved.
    City Attorney Justin Scott explained to the council that he had received a plat for possible approval from Danny Smeins Law Office on behalf of Impecoven and Tchida. The two parties are trying to settle a land issue relating to a vacated portion of 12th street that now functions as an alley. The council ultimately tabled the matter and hopes to hear from the landowners or Smeins at the next meeting. 
    Shane Storley on behalf of the cemetery committee discussed the Veterans Memorial project. Storley explained that they have incurred an additional $27,000 in costs due to various changes and additions to the project including an added sidewalk, moving the wall, and adding flagpoles. They are planning to seek additional donations. The project is estimated to be completed by Memorial Day. 
    The transfer of $10,000 from the contingency fund was approved to help pay for the new city software.