WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) --     Westbrook  —  Police chief Alan Wahl told the council he has completed updating the City’s Emergency Operations Plan. The council will have to pass a resolution  to approve it. Also, a drill will have to be run to test the plan.

    Wahl talked about updating the city’s warning sirens. He has done GPS mapping of the present sirens for Emergency Management.

    Wahl commented it is possible the city could get by with two sirens, also two of the sirens the city has can be upgraded. According to Wahl, the new sirens, which are narrow band compliant, can cost as much as $20,000, but they might be able to pick up good used ones for less money. Wahl is working on getting a grant to help pay for  the siren upgrades. Wahl said, “I will keep digging to find cheaper options.”



    It was noted the sirens must be upgraded by January 1, 2013.

    Wahl will be contacting dog owners of unlicensed dogs for compliance.

    City Clerk Katie Steen, and  council person Dave Moriarity  complained to the council about drivers not stopping for pedestrians in the cross walks. The council talked about putting up signs stating vehicles must stop for pedestrians in cross walks, although the members did not know where to put them. If they were put in the middle of the  intersection they thought they might get run down, also it would create a problem for snow removal. No action was taken on the matter. One council member stated, it is a state law that drivers must stop for pedestrians in cross walks.

    Street supervisor Carl Conrad told the council he will start crack filling on the city streets. They need four people to do the job, and it will take less than a week to complete.

    Conrad stated the speed limit signs have been installed on First Avenue.

    The new filters for the swimming pool will be installed at the end of August, so they will be ready to go next spring.

    Craig Jans asked for permission to raise the pension for fire retirement from $650 to $700 for each year served. The council approved the measure.

    According to John Madson, there are quite a few tree branches hanging over streets and sidewalks. He felt it would be best to address the issue in the fall after the leaves are off.

    City wide clean-up is expected to be done sometime in September. That is when the new landfill cell is expected to open.

    Mayor Rocky Kolar mentioned he thought the community center should have a good cleaning and touch up. Kolar also discussed upgrading paint and carpet in the city hall to go along with the new library renovation.

    Kolar announced the property on Tenth and  First Avenue will be coming up as tax forfeited property sheriff’s sale.

    The council did a review of the city’s credit card summary. It is done every three months to meet audit requests.

    The council approved a golf cart permit to Lawrence Carlson.

    A variance and amendment was approved for Craig Noding  to add a utility shed at his property on Adams Avenue.

    A permit was approved for Gretchen Warner for a concrete slab at her property on Bell Avenue.

    A permit was approved for an outdoor storage area fence at the WWG High School.

    

July Police Report

    Two tickets issued; two funeral assists; two open doors;  one air ambulance assist; assisted State Patrol; one break in theft of money $1,500; served warrant for Lyon County;    two motorist assists; GPS mapped sirens for emergency plan; one random urinalysis test; assisted domestic property disbursement; letters of intent sent to remaining owners of dogs and no tags.