City advances EAB plan, reviews fees and speed limits

The Lennox City Council met Monday, April 27. Council members heard agenda items including emerald ash borer discussions, community garden fees, and speed discussions. 

The Council continued their discussions on mitigation efforts of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). 

“This item was tabled at the April 13 City Council meeting for additional work surrounding removal and the city’s role in private tree removal. Specifically, the City Council asked to look into a way to fund removal of private trees and how to secure the best deal for residents. With regard to securing the best possible prices, a city project would accomplish that, if I were looking at something that’s going to be cost prohibitive for us,” said City Administrator, Nate Vander Plaats. 

Alderman Lauren Van Driel asked if other communities in the area are doing the same measures to combat the EAB infestation. 

“It aligns pretty closely to what Sioux Falls is doing,” Vander Plaats responded reminding the council that no one likes to see the trees come down, but it is needed. 

“It’s hard to see them come down when they are our skyline,” Alderman Laura Thiesse said.

Motion was made to approve the amended emerald ash borer plan by Van Driel, seconded by Billy Welch, motion carried.  

Discussions also continued discussions on Ordinance 668 – Amended Drainage Fee as the City of Lennox assesses the draining fee to properties that do not benefit from the city’s drainage system. 

“We currently assess the drainage fee of properties that do not directly benefit from the city’s drainage system, and we want to fix that. This ordinance passed the first reading at the April 13 regular meeting, and no changes have been made since that date,” Vander Plaats reported.

Motion was made to approve by Van Driel, seconded by Welch.

In new business, the council was asked to consider community garden fees. 

“The current fee arrangement works for us, and it works for the community garden. I don’t see any reason to change it and we want to make sure we have formal council approval tonight to approve the current fee collection plan for the community garden,” Vander Plaats said. 

Motion was made to approve the current fee collection plan for the community garden by Van Driel, seconded by Rob Peterson, motion carried.

Alderman Thiesse and Van Driel requested discussion with respect to increasing speed limits in Lennox. 

“It’s been about a year since we changed our speed limits. We initially had it on the agenda to make things consistent across town. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has heard some griping about the changes, in particular around the parks, and the fact that Boynton Avenue is still only 20 miles per hour,” said Van Driel. 

We want to reopen that conversation to see what everyone else is hearing and how we feel about those changes,” Van Driel said. 

Police Chief Will Erickson was present to answer any questions the council had. 

“This is nothing out of the norm, we continuously get complaints about traveling faster than the posted speed limit, that’s going to be a regular thing,” Chief Erickson said reminding all council members that every street in town is 20 miles per hour. 

“As far as the 15mph zones, I can’t say that I disagree with them. Those 15mph zones are in our general business district, by our parks where kids play, and we’re getting into that part of the year where my stress level is going to go through the roof and my guys are going to be out there a lot harder because people are still traveling 30 plus mph down Main Street even though we lowered it to 15,” Chief Erickson continued. 

“I think at this point, all of our east and west roads come to a stop as they approach Main Street, are they really necessary,” asked Van Driel. 

“I believe that’s a code thing. If you are approaching an intersection within a certain distance and you cannot see in both directions you have to slow down,” Erickson responded. 

The Council agreed that replacing the stop signs around the railroad to avoid confusion was the best solution and to maintain the current speed limits.

The Council discussed a letter of Engagement with A1 Development. 

“Following consultant interviews, the committee selected A1 Development to assist with the creation and execution of a new economic development plan. A1 was present at last week’s joint committee meeting, where guidance was provided to focus the work of this committee and consultant on an industrial park expansion. Please note that Sioux Metro Growth Alliance will remain involved in this project, and our support and relationship with that organization remains unchanged. The cost of this service will be $3,000 per month for three months, with additional months on a month-to-month basis. We may terminate this service with 30 days notice. I anticipate at least 18 months of work, so we will need to budget this for next year. As far as this year’s approximately $24,000 of fees, I propose using Fund 212,” said Vander Plaats. 

Motion was made to approve Letter of Engagement pending City Attorney approval and accepted amendments by Van Driel, seconded by Thiesse, motion carried.