Grant City Council Discusses Stray Dog that Can't be Caught

Beth Meek reported on plans for moving Flowers N' Things to the Hy-Vee building. She said that she was planning to move her business there in April following building new walls and other renovations. Local labor will be used as much as possible, including Warner Brothers Heating & Air and C&H Electric.  The Grant City Council voted to donate a pool pass to the Worth County PTO to give away during their St. Patrick's Day Carnival in March. The council also voted to donate $500 to the Worth County Progress Organization for cartridges for Economic Developer Tammy Ueligger's printer.

The city has been unsuccessful in trying to catch a stray female dog on the loose that has given birth to four new pups. It is a brown spotted dog that is very difficult to catch. Frequently, the city will get calls about stray dogs; however, city crews may be working on other projects and may not be able to get to them in time. The dog in question had three other dogs chasing her recently. Public Works Director said that the dog knows their vehicles, recognizes their traps, and gets away from them before they can catch her. One possible solution would be to get a new dart gun; the city will get cost estimates on one. The city has been in the process of mailing out letters of violation to dog owners who they say are violating city ordinances relating to dogs.

Mayor Debbie Roach issued a proclamation celebrating the anniversary of the founding of Boy Scouts that will be marked in the first week of February. It will be the 103rd anniversary of the organization.

Councilman Dennis Downing expressed concern that the city would be stuck with the same problems that it has had with the water line 15-20 years down the road like it did the last time it did a water line project. He said that it involved a lot of city money and that he wanted answers and assurances from USDA, which is handling the project, that there will be much better safeguards than there were last time. The city will attempt to set up a meeting with the USDA for the next meeting.

Public Works Director Carl Staton reported that the city put in a new gas line for Danny Campbell's new shop across from his home. He attended water training with Water Superintendent Greg Miller. A few mailbox approaches need gravel on them. The city is in the process of getting estimates on the streets that still need to be paved.

Mayor Debbie Roach reported that the Worth County Cultural Arts Committee was still in the process of brainstorming ideas for a new arts center. It could possibly be added on to the current Skating Rink or it could be put in next to Old 169 overlooking the Pool Park on land that the city currently owns. The Cultural Arts Committee would be responsible for the administration of any grants. Nothing, however, has been written in stone.

Clerk Ayvonne Morin reported to the council that the 2012 budget had $1,159,074 in revenues and $1,076,115 for a surplus of just under $83,000. The council voted to approve the 2013 budget. The City is in the process of getting the 2012 finances audited. The city can amend this year's budget at any time.