Lansing City Council seeking swimming pool employees, updated on RAGBRAI®
by B.J. Tomlinson
The Lansing City Council met in its regular session Monday night, April 17. De Soto, WI resident Lynn David, a water aerobics instructor, addressed the Council regarding the Lansing Swimming Pool. David said 284 people attended the water aerobics program last year and drew participants from several surrounding communities. Lansing Mayor Mike Brennan said that the City is still hopeful that employees can be found so that the pool will open again this year. "So far," Brennan said, "no applications have been received." Lansing City Clerk Katie Becker said that wages didn't seem to be the issue, as Lansing pays the highest wages for lifeguards in the area.
Dennis Blocker, representing the Allamakee County ATV/UTV Club, addressed the Council regarding an ATV Ordinance. Blocker said the State of Iowa has passed a law allowing ATVs to cross state highways and that the County Supervisors have indicated that the individual towns will need to pass ordinances allowing riders to utilize paved roads where necessary to get into towns or to the next gravel road. He said that Waterville, Harpers Ferry and Postville have approved ordinances.
Mayor Brennan expressed concerns about safety of riders. Blocker said the vehicles are to be licensed with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and riders under 18 are to wear helmets. Violators can be ticketed and will pay the fine designated by City Ordinance.
Mayor Brennan said the Council would discuss the issue and "put something together". He made it clear that an ATV ordinance in Lansing would not include golf carts and that ATVs would be limited to a path in and a path out of town. Blocker added that maps showing routes available in the county are provided for riders and that the Club has secured grant money to purchase trail signs.
Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker updated the Council regarding plans for RAGBRAI®. Snitker said his job was to prepare for any kind of emergency due to weather or road conditions. He said there are two weekends, July 22 and 29, where there will be an influx of people, riders, campers and vehicles. He said Kee High School will be used as shelter in case of severe weather and they are working with the railroad to find some way to barricade the tracks.
City officials will be briefed further in July as plans develop. Staging will take place at the Village Creek boat ramp and the former Northern Engraving lot. There will be multiple tire dip spots available with the main one by Shep's at the end of Main Street. Snitker warned that Highway 9 will be jammed for hours July 29 with alternate traffic routes provided. The Council reviewed and approved Ordinance #196, a temporary ordinance amending the Municipal Code to specify policies, permission and permits related to RAGBRAI.
In other business, the Council reviewed and approved the purchase of a Kubota F2260 commercial grade mower to replace an older model. Approval was also given to hiring several coaches for the summer recreation program, including Tony Becker, softball coach; Kerry Hogan, baseball coach; Nate Wood, assistant coach; and Pat Sullivan as volunteer to help as needed. Head coaches are paid $9.50 per hour, assistant coaches $8.50 per hour. Returning coaches will receive a $.25 per hour raise.
The Council also reviewed and approved a Lions Club request for fiscal sponsorship of grants from USDA Rural Development, Aetna Foundation and a Walmart Community Grant.
