Lonsdale Council OK's plans for car wash; discusses public works department

Lori Nickel, Montgomery Messenger

Another new building was approved for construction along Highway 19 at the Lonsdale City Council meeting on Thursday evening.

Chuck Meger and Dave Dooley will operate a commercial car wash and multi-tenant building, which will include a future laundromat and pet washing area. After several changes in design and meetings to obtain planning and zoning and council approvals, construction on the project is expected to begin this fall.

Public works department

Under old business, the council discussed the reorganization of the public works department. Alan Voracek resigned recently and after updating job descriptions, it was decided by the human resources committee that Public Works Director Russ Vlasak would receive a pay increase for licenses he obtained and the city would advertise for a full time class C wastewater operator.

The city council looked at options for structuring the public works department and decided to keep the structure the same as it has been.

Rolling Ridge trail extension

According to a memo from City Administrator Joel Erickson, the Park Board would like to see a trail connection from the Rolling Ridge Marketplace trail to Baldwin Street NE, near Fred's IGA Foods. Residents living in the area have complained that without the trail, people are walking and biking through their yards to get to the grocery store.

Jim Freid of Fifth Ave. NE requested that if the council agrees to construct the trail extension, he would like a signed legal document from the city stating that during a heavy rainfall, if there are damages to his basement from flooding, the city would be responsible for correcting any damage.

The council will speak to the city attorney on the matter.

Capital Improvement Plan

City Engineer Kevin Kawlewski updated the council on bid results for the street reconstruction and utility improvements. Four bids were reviewed before the city council awarded the project to BCM Construction, Inc. for $695,088.

BCM came in $20