The Wilton city council is still holding its meetings in the Community Room in downtown Wilton, as the council chambers are still under renovation as part of the City Hall project. Meetings are also being offered digitally during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the April 27 meeting, Mayor Bob Barrett and council members Keith Stanley and Wayne Budding were present, while members Ted Marolf, Sheryl Lenker and Steve Owens attended online, with their images being portrayed on a TV screen in the Community Room.
One of the items on the agenda was the approval of annual bike nights at Fro’s Pub & Grub in downtown Wilton. It was noted that owner Brian Froehlich had been holding the bike nights for years, and that a small portion of Third Street was typically closed off during the weekly activity.
Police Chief Dave Clark said he had talked with Froehlich recently about providing better signage with regard to closing the street, for instance placing a large sign near the intersection of West Third and Elm streets. He said the bike nights would run from May 1 through Sept. 4 from 5-9 p.m. each Friday night. There would then be a poker run on Sept. 12.
It was also noted that the bike nights would not begin until the business would be allowed to open, as it is currently closed due to governor’s orders during the pandemic. Council approved the bike nights, pending better signage.
Administrative items
* City Administrator Chris Ball said that the State Revolving Fund (SRF) project in the city’s industrial park — a storm water retention project — is moving forward. It will begin in June.
* Ball said that he had discussed with HR Green engineers possible shovel-ready projects if the city were to receive federal stimulus dollars as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Projects included:
1. Upgrading electronics at the water plant;
2. Refinishing both of the city’s water towers;
3. Replacing culverts and the bridge on Third Street, plus do an asphalt overlay;
4. Pave the rest of Ayres Progress Road in the industrial park;
5. Pave the walking trail at Westview Park;
6. New asphalt on Fifth Street.
After discussion, it was decided to have HR Green provide estimates for the Third Street project and putting new asphalt on Fifth Street. Ball did note that it was unknown whether any federal dollars would be available, but all the items listed would eventually have to be done anyway.
Miscellany
In other action, council:
* Approved the minutes from the April 13 meeting and paid monthly city bills.
* Approved a housing improvement application to Mark and Linda Baker at 211 Spruce St. for the addition of a garage to the property with a value of $25,000.
* Approved pay application No. 6 to Precision Builders of Bettendorf in the amount of $114,015.67 for continued work on renovations at City Hall.
* Set the second meeting in May for Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. in order to observe Memorial Day May 25.
* Approved the following mayoral appointments — Jamie Hull to the board of adjustment; and Jennifer Hunter and Jim Williams to the Wilton Public Library board. Both Hunter and Williams represented renewals to their terms as they were both already serving on the board.
* Approved a resolution to renegotiate revenue bonds for Simpson Memorial Home, Inc. A public hearing was also set for 7 p.m. at the start of the May 26 regular meeting.
* Approved a resolution temporarily suspending late fees and non-payment disconnections for city services during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 1 through June 1. The order could be extended at that time with further action from council.
* Approved a resolution authorizing early redemption of $380,000 of outstanding bonds with regard to the Community Center and Public Library. Ball noted that the bonds were issued in 2013 and would be eligible for early payback after June 1. He said that more than $300,000 had been donated to the city by Janice Meincke in order to help pay off the Community Center and Public Library project.
* Wilton Development Corp. Director Becky Allgood said that the model home built in Wilton’s south end near the convenience center has been sold and will have a closing May 15. The home sold for $185,500.
* The farmland (five acres) on Fifth Street across from CBI Bank & Trust and WTC Communications will be re-zoned in order to clear the path for a retirement facility to be built. After it is approved by planning and zoning, a public hearing will be held at a later date.
* Approved a seal coat list with LL Pelling including approximately $101,000 in improvements. Ball noted the city typically budgets $100,000 per year for seal coating.
* The Wilton Public Library is currently offering curbside service in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It had previously been closed to the public.
* Approved a quote from Triple B Construction in the amount of roughly $8,000 for drainage improvements at and on either side of Arty’s Ice Cream & Grill. Ball told council that four property owners in the area will be approached to help pay for a portion of the work — as much as 50 percent.
All council members were present and all action taken was unanimous. The next regular meeting is May 11 at 7 p.m.