Council Report - Out With the Old

The 'old' council met for the final time last night and took action on numerous items. The council approved installing kayak/canoe racks with a total of 16 'slips' at 3 parks - Frost Woods Beach (4), Schluter Beach (6), and Lottes Park (6). Frost Woods Beach will only be open to Monona residents and Monona residents will get a 30-day head start at the other two parks.

Leasing will be on a first-come, first-serve basis (subject to a potential lottery if there is a lot of interest). The cost is $60 for residents and $150 for non-residents. We hope to get the racks installed by early summer.

The council also approved the purchase of the half-pipe for the skatepark We will continue to raise money and plan to add smaller pieces over the next year or two, but this acquisition is a big step forward. We hope to have the piece installed by early June. The kids are putting on another skate jam at the Community Center this weekend.

We awarded the street bid for this summer's street program (Arrowhead from Vogts to Tonyawatha, Healy Lane, Schluter Road from Winnequah to Nichols, Sioux Trail, and Navajo Trail). The road work won't start until after the 4th of July.

The stop sign at Winnequah/Monona drive was left as is. Public Safety had proposed to change it to a yield sign. Chad Speight made an appearance and made some interesting points about the need for more pedestrian-friendly roads and traffic calming measures to help attract families.

We also reviewed the Woodland Park Management Plan prepared by Taylor Conservation. The plan is really well-done. We need to get it up on the city web site and make it available at the library.

We delayed acting on Alder Wiswell's proposal that we seek issue an RFP to do a study of the fire department management structure. I was torn, but ended up voting to not take it up for a vote on the first reading because the Public Safety Committee had tabled it and I'd like to see what they have to say first.

Many sincere words of gratitude were expressed toward Alder Wiswell for his service to the city over the last 4 years.