Concrete Poured at New Basketball Court

The new Grant City basketball court at the Pool Park is taking shape; crews came last week. Three county employees helped, which will help with the in-kind match for the project, Public Works Director Carl Staton reported at the council meeting Thursday. The city is now waiting on the rubber to arrive. The city has gotten a six month extension on the grant. On the completion of the project, the city will hold a grand opening.

Brad Ross addressed the council; he is seeing to locate a memorial for his parents which would benefit the community, which he and his siblings would be willing to fund. Possible locations were discussed.

The city voted to increase gas rates to a base rate of $11.40 per month plus a $3.65 profit margin. The change will be effective July first. Back in 2007, the running costs were $85,680; now, it is $115.800 as of 2020 with a possible increase of 10% this year. Back in 2007, the gas system was making $32,000 a year; last year, it only made $2,300. The number of customers has dropped from 320 to 290 during that time period. 2007 was the last time the city raised rates.

City Administrator Meggan Brown reported that she was still looking for possible locations for a Farmers Market. 

The city is setting up a comment box on its new website for feedback.

The city is in the process of setting up enforcement for city ordinances. Grass enforcement was also discussed, and how other cities were handling grass ordinance violations. Other cities come onto the property and mow it for the owner, and assess the costs on their taxes if they don’t pay. 

The city is in the process of looking into passing an Internet use tax, so that the city could collect its share from the state. It would need to be placed on a ballot.

Public Works Director Carl Staton reported that the city put dust control down by the pool. Crews have been mowing, trimming, spraying, and removing vines from electric poles. The council authorized Staton to get a fire hydrant; one at Golf Tee Lane was leaking. Four more need changed down the road. 

Staton also reported there was a water leak at the tower that was really high. They would need a boom truck that is at least 80-90 feet high. The city got the water tower inspection report back, and there is three inches of debris at the bottom of the tower. 

Councilwoman Charlotte Jones reported that there were good crowds at the pool and that the bathroom at the pool was slick; the city ordered some paint.

The council approved a contract with Chris Healy for software that will allow the city to conduct paperless meetings. It would be similar to the one that the school uses.