Renovations to the city park have been completed just in time for the Chenoa Fourth of July celebration.
Parks Commissioner Chad Daiker told the Chenoa City Council Tuesday evening that the drainage tile is in with the new park open and new restrooms complete.
“They’ll be open for the Fourth of July,” Daiker explained. “Everything is good to go.”
Getting rid of the old restrooms will be next, according to Daiker. Mayor Chris Wilder said there is a list of individuals the city needs to thank, including the entire community for volunteerism with the park and restroom project.
“We really do appreciate it,” stated Wilder.
Streets Commissioner Dwayne Price outlined some of the work happening around town in preparation for the upcoming Independence Day celebration. Spray patching will soon finish on Commercial and Second streets and Price feels the roads will look good.
“I couldn’t ask for a better group,” said Price. “They went above and beyond to get things done.”
Zack Lopeman of the Chenoa Fourth of July Committee revealed plans for the July 3 street dance which include the band staying in the same place but facing the other way with the crowd heading north toward the railroad tracks across from the Finish Line and the old Starting Line.
“The beer stand will go all the way down the road,” noted Lopeman.
Food will be served in the Finish Line parking lot and a tent will be set up Sunday in the lot.
“Are we still able to get picnic tables?” asked Lopeman.
“That’s fine with me,” replied Commissioner Daiker.
During the public comment portion of Tuesday’s Chenoa City Council meeting, resident David Shane asked Finance and Insurance Commissioner Kyle Buchanan about grants for the city. Buchanan said more grants have opened up and there may be more to come soon for water.
Shane said he heard another town received quite a bit of money and a group of mayors put together a project which was presented to the county. According to Shane, the funding was approved right away and Saybrook had a water tower paid for.
“Were we aware this was going to happen?” asked Shane.
“I was not,” replied Buchanan.
Shane then asked if any of the information was received in e-mails but Mayor Wilder said not until after the fact.
“All you had to do was present the project. We haven’t applied for anything – I think that’s terrible,” added Shane.
Shane suggested the city officials read Title 7 and 8 as the latter deals with sewer and water ordinances and provisions. He referred to it as “enlightening.”
Also during public comment, Bobbi Ludwig asked if there were any plans to get the dock back up at Silliman Lake. Lopeman, who actually did this as an Eagle Scout project years ago, told Ludwig it is off level and he has been brainstorming about how to get it fixed.
A TIF redevelopment agreement was approved between the city and Iron Cave Golf, LLC and Bobbi and Brian Ludwig. This gives them up to $9,000 from TIF money which can be used for renovations, attorney fees, utilities and helping them get started.
“They’ll just need to provide documentation of the items as we reimburse,” said Buchanan.
“Good luck out there,” added Mayor Wilder.
In another matter, the council approved an ordinance relating to craft brewing and brew pub sales of locally manufactured beer. A liquor license was also authorized for OB’s Cervezaria.
“Their liquor license is fully in compliance with the City of Chenoa,” explained Wilder.
This is for on-site sales and a gaming license.
The sale and disposition of a city-owned vehicle was authorized. The 2016 Ford Expedition was the former police squad K-9 unit. Wilder estimates the value between $5,000 and $7,500 and he would like a minimum bid of $6,000. Funds could be earmarked for a future car.
“The sale goes into the general fund,” noted Wilder.
Zoning board recommendations were briefly discussed by the mayor. The board had talked about increasing lot coverage from 35 to 45 percent. Wilder hopes to get everything sorted out in the next couple of meetings, including examining the fee structure.
