North English Receives AED

NORTH ENGLISH – During the May 1 meeting of the North English City Council, the council was given a new medical box containing an AED, a stop-the-bleed kit, and Narcan. The medical box was presented by Vicki Oswald on behalf of the Iowa County Health Department and Iowa County EMS, who received the boxes through a state Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant. The box will be placed at city hall. The code to unlock the box will be left with the fire department and paramedics. Mayor Dan Strohman stated the city would try to get the box installed in the two weeks following the meeting.

Oswald also talked to the council about installing a pair of 2x2 library boxes, one located at Millers Park and the other located next to the community center. Locals will be able to take and leave donated books. The current plan is to have high school students construct the library boxes. The council approved allowing the mini-libraries to be placed on city property and giving $150 for the wood needed to construct them.

The council again discussed banning parking on the north side of Oak Street, which would alleviate traffic flow problems and prevent mailboxes from being blocked. Councilwoman Beth Carter asked if this would affect Methodists who park on the street. Councilman Red Haugland stated there is plenty of parking on the west side of the church. Strohman stated he had talked to one of the main people who park on Oak Street about keeping large trailers off the street, but said there were still vehicles there that night. Haugland suggested holding a public hearing before banning parking.

The council approved accepting a speed feedback sign from a DOT safety program, to be placed on the state highway. The sign will be solar-powered and have a five-year warranty, after which the city will be responsible for paying for repairs. The sign is expected to arrive sometime during the summer.

The council discussed a $559,000 bid to completely redo part of Washington Street; it was noted that the bid was $137,000 under budget. It was noted that the city had received a $100,000 Community Catalyst and Building Remediation grant, which will be used to renovate two buildings on Main Street. The council approved 5% raises in city employee compensation, to account for cost of living increases. The council approved hiring a local teenager at a rate of $10 to mow and weed for the city. Haugland stated he had received phone calls about a local who owns a drag car and revs it too much, creating a noise disturbance; Haugland stated he had spoken with the resident about trying to keep it down.