Five more things to know from Febuary’s city council meeting

1) Prairie City Police Chief Joe Bartello’s 90-day interim city manager status was extended for another 30 days while the council considers whether to make his dual-role permanent or redevelop the city manager position. Councilwoman Diane Taylor requested the extension to discuss the item with councilman Bob Beiner, who was absent Feb. 14. The measure passed 4-0.

This was not the first time Bartello’s temporary status has been extended. He’s served as interim city manager since July 2017, two months after former city administrator Lori Martin resigned from city hall.

2) The city’s 28E agreement with the Walnut Creek Fire Department was updated with a 90-day extension to include fire fee increases for the city. The fire department requested a $1,000 increase from $2,000 to $3,000. The extension was approved 4-0.

3) If you rent out the Prairie City Community Building for a party or get-together, you can now have a beer or cocktail at the celebration. The council approved a new fee that would allow the consumption of alcohol inside the building at Community Park. Renters will pay $150 per day if they choose to serve alcohol and only $100 for alcohol-free events. The damage deposit was also increased to $100.

Alcohol will still be prohibited at the park’s outdoor shelters. The change was passed unanimously 4-0.

4) The city council made more changes to Prairie City’s fee schedule, affecting everything from nuisance abatements to library DVD fees. The changes approved include:

• Removal of background checks and fingerprinting services.

• Nuisance abatement grass mowing is now a $100 base fee plus $75 per hour.

• Removal of Ambulance non-transport non-emergency fees.

• Ambulance fees will be verified by the EMS Department.

• Library fees DVD fines $1 per day, all other fines 15 cents per day, faxing $1.

5) The council approved the removal of two trees that fall within the city right-of-way. The trees are located in the 300 block of North Madison, and the corner of East Fifth and North Hobson Streets. The council voted 4-0 to approve a $3,000 bid from Dave Wilson’s Tree Service to remove the trees.

Contact Mike Mendenhall at mmendenhall@myprairiecitynews.com