City will open swimming pool June 10
LAUREL — The city swimming pool and the issue of safely re-opening in the era of the coronavirus was the big issue at Monday’s Laurel City Council meeting.
The meeting was held by video/telephone conference due to virus considerations.
It was decided to open the park and swimming pool June 10, since many virus precaution restraints are being lifted.
“Outdoors, the chances of transmission of the virus are minimal in places like the park and pool,’’ said Mayor Mark Patefield.
Changes at the pool for this summer include a sign-in sheet with times recorded on entering/exiting to allow every child the opportunity to swim.
Temperature checks on each guest will also be taken prior to entering the pool area. Showers with soap are mandatory before entering the pool.
Individuals may use their own toys at the pool and should bring their own drinking water. No concessions will be available.
Pool waivers for each family will also need to be signed by the parents prior to swimming.
Pool passes will be sold, but only LCC School District area residents will be allowed or someone that bought a pass in 2019.
This year the pool’s capacity will be limited under the Directed Health Measures (DHM) requirements, meaning only 50 patrons can be allowed in at one time. This includes parents, or guests not swimming.
It was also noted no items will be stored in the pool house this year.
Nine lifeguards will be working at the pool. They will receive instructions on sanitation of the pool areas and will be expected to enforce rules of precautions.
Punishment may be applied for swimmers who don’t comply with restrictions including ejection from the pool.
Lifeguards will also sign a waiver to ensure they understand and agree to administer rules and take responsibility for precautions this season.
In other action Monday, Andy Forney of D. A. Davidson Co. appeared at the council meeting to help the city officials with General Obligation Street bonds, Series 2020 for funding on Laurel Northwest M-375(49).
The council approved ordinance #585-2020 authorizing the issuance of the General Obligation Street Bonds Series.
A limit of $325,000 has been set for this. The three readings requirement was waived for this ordinance.
The City may receive cost share FEMA funds within one to five years, according to Mainelli Wagner and Associates, Inc.
Based on the possibility that these funds may become available to the city soon, the bond project will include shorter call features.
The council reviewed details for the Laurel Community Center and will request bids for engineering architect firms for the Laurel Community Center project.
“We have a lot of pride over this project and living here in Laurel,’’ said Melissa Graham, one of the committee members who worked on the project. “This project will make it easier to host events in town. It will be good financially for businesses.’’
The council also authorized city staff to work with JEO Consulting group to complete the Security Grant Application for Water System mapping for half of the town.
The other half of town will be done the following year.
Virginia Lundahl, Hillcrest Care Center, reported the center has 22 residents and four assisted living residents.
Lundahl said Hillcrest has not had any positive Covid-19 tests on residents or staff.
“We continue to implement all precautionary guidelines as recommended by our medical director, the Center for Disease Control, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and the State of Nebraska. We look forward to opening the facility back up to the community,’’ she said. “The Covid-19 emergency has meant that some federal funds have been allocated to Hillcrest for Covid-19 supplies and payroll. With the funds comes the need for more tracking of supplies and use of the funds. We also have weekly reports to complete for the CDC regarding presence of Covid-19 in our facility, our facility staffing, and supplies. Government assistance is huge for us. Our Director of Nursing (DON) resigned in May. I am searching for a new DON.”
Hillcrest also received funds to help with payroll or utilities in the form of a loan. The Center has added staff in maintenance, dietary, housekeeping, and nursing.
“We have increased our nursing hours in Assisted Living to better meet the needs of our residents,’’ she said.
The Center will purchase new shelving for the dietary’s walk-in cooler. The shelving has been ordered and should arrive soon. The Center’s registered dietitian said current shelving is not appropriate, according to Lundahl.
“We appreciate the City’s removal of dead trees at Hillcrest, One resident in particular noticed how much better the view is,’’ Lundahl said.
According to Lundahl, residents in both Assisted Living and the nursing home continue to benefit from the iPad the Center received at Christmastime. Residents have been able to communicate with families, join in group therapy, and listen to band members play their band instruments.
Two board members, Millissa Lackas and Annette Pritchard have resigned from the Center’s board effective July 1.
Ron Lundahl reported on police activities including discussion on an alternative for Vicious/Dangerous Dog Ordinance. No new amendments were received from the veterinarian. The breed information will be removed from the ordinance. Lundahl reported that 140 building checks were completed. He fielded three traffic complaints and four citizen complaints. He also issued nine warnings. One burglary was reported on May 24 in the early morning. This incident is under investigation. The Hansen family withdrew their signage request and decided to do a pull-off lane at their expense on their property.
Economic Development details were given by Chris Rasmussen including the Chamber cancelling the Ag Days event due to COVID-19 concerns. Cruise Night is set for Aug, 8. The Chamber Tailgate will be Friday, Sept. 18, which is Homecoming night with Neligh-Oakdale.
Keith Carl of Hanna Keelan came to the Laurel Planning Commission meeting June 2. He shared images of the existing zoning maps and a draft of a future map. He will come back in July for a Community Planning Open House, and another time to discuss the completed Community Housing Study and recommendations for Zoning and Subdivision Regulations.
The CRA board addressed the transfer of documents between Agrex to CVA for the TIF Bond and the Redevelopment Contract.
Rasmussen also presented a Legislative Update. The legislature passed the budget, with property tax relief continuing to be a strong focus. Finding the means to afford relief without raising taxes, shifting taxes, or cutting vital programs is where the challenge continues to lie.
The Electric Bond Series Loan 2015 has been refinanced to Electric Bond Series Loan 2020 and will save approximately $12,000 annually through the remaining years of the loan.
Water wells 601 and 2009 are both working. With the help of JEO Engineering, the city will search for and drill a new well in the 110 acres purchased last fall.
The inside of the water tower is scheduled to be repainted around Sept. 1. Maguire Iron will be doing this work. It will take two or three weeks to complete the project. Rutjen’s Construction will be
Rutjen’s Construction will be giving an estimate on replacing the top 18 inches of the wall of the oxidation ditch at the sewer plant for approximately 20 feet. They will examine the rest of this wall as well. Half of the wall was replaced around 10 years ago and is in good shape. Rutjen’s is the company that put in the new lift station. The city may also obtain another estimate if necessary.
The new garbage tonnage commercial rate of $42 per ton from LP Gill has gone into effect. The agreement with Gill Hauling for them to pick up the residential garbage ends Nov. 1. The city wants a new agreement or extension before the current agreement runs out.
John Holmes said he would be back to address the failure of the Fourth Street repair work which his company performed last fall. There is a 10-year guarantee on the work.
Youth baseball and softball practice started June 1. Games will start later this month.
Detlefsen Construction was selected as the contractor for the Laurel Northwest M-375 (49) Logan Creek/870 Rd FEMA Project, and the project has started. The project will consist of some embankment stabilization of the south embankment, extending the box culvert and metal culverts, redoing the entrance and exit driveways of Central Valley Ag, removing the berm on the north side of 870 Rd. and installing a guard rail for 3,400 feet.
JEO is continuing to work on the downtown revitalization Design Phase for the project. The construction phase will begin in the summer of 2021. Building Permits included Jim Casey - 32’/40’ addition to storage building, Donna Hangman - 24’x24’ concrete deck in backyard and Allan Pallas - 8x10’ deck on south side of house.
