(Arnolds Park)– The Arnolds Park City Council Wednesday set June 26th at 5:00 p.m. as the date and time for a public hearing on the next phase of the Highway 71 enhancement project. It includes the construction of a segmented block wall separating the Okoboji Cemetary from the highway. The wall will consist of decorative pillars and a railing, along with decorative lighting. Another part of the project involves relocating the war memorial that’s currently near the school to the area of Bascom Street and the cemetary. The combined projects have an estimated cost of 365,710-dollars. Of that, cemetary trustees would pick up 15,500; the Department of Transportation 45,500-dollars; with the city picking up most of the balance. A committee is raising funds to help further defray the cost. The council also Wednesday agreed to pay Aquila 1,500-dollars to relocate a natural gas line that’s in the area of the proposed project.
The council also Wednesday directed Fire Chief Steve Dulin to write up specifications for a new equipment truck for the fire department. It has an estimated cost of 180-thousand dollars. It would replace two existing step vans. The Okoboji City Council approved a similar motion earlier this week.
The council approved some modifications to the 2003 fiscal year budget following a public hearing that drew no comments; and they approved the hiring of an additional person in the city offices. The person will be shared half-time with the front office and half-time with the Police Department at a starting salary of $8.08 an hour. It was pointed out the additional person is needed to help keep up with a huge increase in traffic in the offices.
