Storms will trigger opening of shelters

MORAN — After lengthy discussion of whether to lock the city’s storm shelters — one south of City Hall and the other at the city park — Moran council members voted to follow policy, which says the shelters will be unlocked only when a tornado watch is issued.
But, Mayor Philip Merkel, who with other city staff has a key, allowed he would open the shelters anytime severe weather threatened.
Together, the two shelters are designed to hold 82 people, at the rate of one per five square feet. Moran has a population of about 550.
The city will spend about $100 a year to maintain a website, morancity.org, which council members hope with make citizens better informed.
Lori Evans, city clerk, said only 24 citizens voted at the April 1 election. Incumbents Bill Bigelow and Jerry Wallace were elected as was newcomer Chryll Ginn to council seats. She thought website information would have increased the vote.
David Lee, LaHarpe Communications, sought permission to place apparatus on the city water tower to provide wireless broadband Internet to residents and others living nearby.
Lee said it would be an expansion of service available in LaHarpe, with more expansion possible.
Council members questioned whether equipment would interfere with painting and other maintenance of the storage tower and how cable access to support equipment on the ground would be configured. Lee said he would return to the May 5 meeting with specifications and more information.
No decision was made on a rental fee, but council members wondered if Internet access for the city might be a part of the arrangement. Lee said he was certain something could be worked out.

THREE LARGE valves controlling flow of effluent at the city’s sanitation lagoon will be replaced.
While cost of the three eight-inch valves will be determined later, council members did agree to installation cost of $1,800. They will spend another $1,800 to have sludge buildup removed and dispersed, to improve efficiency of the lagoon. Also yet to be determined is cost of turtle “traps,” devices to keep turtles from wandering into pipes and clogging them.
Council approved a one-year certification for new sewer line, pending an engineer’s review of the project.
Council members agreed to reimburse Councilman Bigelow for about $2,000 he spent to improve fencing at the city ball park. Bigelow said the fence is now in tip-top condition.
In support of the city taking financial responsibility, Councilman Jim Mueller noted “the city owns the park and it (ball games) is the only entertainment in town.” Councilman Jerry Wallace complimented Bigelow on the project, “It looks good.”