Hamilton community member Barbie Schlotterbeck attended the April 9 Hamilton City Council meeting to discuss persisting issues with the former Hamilton Baptist Church’s sewer line. During discussion, Schlotterbeck explained that they had been in this church building since approximately 2015 and had gone from cleaning out the line once per year, to having to do so every couple of months. This subject had been included within discussion during a previous meeting, with council members being made aware of the issue. Last Tuesday evening, members of the council took a more in-depth look at maps of the area, while considering possible causes and solutions.
The city will be contacting Mayer Specialty Services and gathering more information to resolve the issue. The subject will be revisited at the next regular meeting.
City Clerk Daphne Rayburn presented the library report on behalf of Hamilton Public Library Board member Kara Nutsch. Twenty-five kids attended the morning Easter Egg Hunt and eight teens participated in the flashlight hunt. Two upcoming events including the history of Hamilton schools and Sams, Hacks and Cloning are planned for the month of April. Potential future projects noted included the Welcome to Hamilton sign and the broken 4-H clover.
Two members who stepped on to the board to complete the service term of an exiting member, were shared as being up for appointment for their first full term.
Changes to the city ordinance pertaining to dogs at large are still pending.
In old business, Mayor Dave Harris spoke with Johnson Realty regarding equipment the city had discussed looking to sell.
If officials decided to pro ceed with listing items, there would be a buyer’s premium, but, as a municipality, the city would not be charged.
Cleaning up the lot where dumpsters are located was included within discussion and a quote for hiring a party to perform this task was presented for consideration. Harris noted that the hope with cleaning up the lot would be that people would stop dumping metal and other unacceptable items on the lot. Interest was expressed in looking at the City Superintendent potentially doing this. This is slated to be revisited at the next meeting.
Rayburn reported that community member Allen Dannels offered to provide aid with the mowing this year, should the city need or be interested in help.
Council members revisited discussion of a building previously optioned as a potential home for the Fire Department. It was noted that after measuring the space, it was determined that the ceiling is not tall enough to support this. Council members then discussed use of the space as a city shop. The owner’s offer to the city was briefly considered before officials opted to pick up discussion during their next meeting.
If the building were pur- chased, the benefit of storing all tools/supplies in the same space was noted. The future of the Scout building (Currently being used as a storage space), including potential preservation for historic value, was noted as something to consider as well.
W Road resurfacing project will be added to the list to look at getting a bid for repair of a couple of blocks.
City officials will be look ing to have the incoming superintendent take a look and give them his thoughts.
In regards to the letter sent out to a community member in regards to an issue with loose siding/insulation blowing off, representatives from the city noted having spoken with the individual who is planning to get rid of the trailers. In further discussion of buildings with code violations, a Main Street building was noted as something also needing addressed, however contacting the owner had been the issue. A potential contact number was shared and the city was planning to reach out.
Rayburn reported that Fechter Pet Care of Howard would be coming next Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. for the Hamilton rabies clinic. City tags and paperwork will be completed at this time. Shot records are mandatory for receipt of a tag.
Options for the spring date for roll-off dumpsters were: April 29 or May 15. As council members were not opposed to either option, the date was to be finalized and shared once selected.
Rayburn shared that the office printer had been working fine since it was received back from repair, however, another issue has come up and is believed to be affiliated with the sur face roller. Rayburn noted that the service company was slated to come within the next couple of weeks to address this. If issues were resolved and the city chose to continue use of the printer, in an effort to increase use efficiency, the company shared a quote of $200 for purchase of a second tray. An additional quote for a machine with four trays was shared at $1,895. The city will inquire further and look into additional options.
The city reached out to contractor Shane Ashlock regarding repair of the office wall and didn’t hear back from him.
The incoming City Superintendent was slated to begin his role April 15.
Bills were approved. Minutes of the March 12 and March 21 meetings were approved.
The next meeting of the Hamilton City Council will be held on Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m.
