5 things to know from the Sept. 23 Baxter City Council meeting

1. Baxter Police Chief John Hicks reported 20 calls for service with three coming after hours. The department has received complaints addressed during the Sept. 9 meeting on traffic issues and erratic/unsafe use or mopeds and scooters by juveniles and has issued citations when needed. Anthony Shaw has started as a part-time officer along with Amy Baldus.

2. The council tabled approval of final site plans for the school project contingent upon a previous agreement with Construct, Inc. A meeting was held with school board President Jon Northrup, Olsson Engineer Kyle Peterson and public works director Shawn Fuller to review the school storm water outlet location into Geise Park. A proposal was agreed upon to remedy the situation and presented MSA Professionals Services for its review where it was later approved. It was noted that reimbursement for the street patch and leak detection involved with a water main break during the sewer line installation had not been received from Construct, Inc. That led to the approval of the final site plans being tabled.

The council had previously agreed to proceed with negotiations with the school’s contractor, Construct, Inc. to address water main repair bills the company submitted to the city along with the counter bills submitted by the city according to Fuller.

3. Mayor Gennypher Popenhagen updated the council on a recent concern regarding ambulance service. After discussing the topic, those at the meeting agreed to hold a special meeting to include ambulance crew members, fire department personnel and West Malaka Trustees to further review the matter.

4. At the Sept. 9 meeting, Beggar’s Night for Halloween was set for Beggar’s Night for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

5. Council gave unanimous support for the Jasper County Safe Kids Coalition and International Walk to School Program, which took place Oct. 2. On that day, communities are encouraged to hold a special “walk to school” day to promote pedestrian safety for children. Kristina Winfield, Public Health Coordinator for the Jasper County Health Department presented the information to the council.