Florence city council weighs pros, cons of truck-free park

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN MICHELLE AVIS
The Florence City Council meeting Feb. 6 was unusually short but covered substantial ground.

Councilor Bryan Harper asked about new “No Trucks” signs that had been placed at the park at the intersection of U.S. highways 50 and 77.

Mayor Sue Klassen and Councilor Dan Ludwig felt that limiting truck traffic would prevent further damage to the park’s asphalt and posts.

Councilors Bryan Harper and Randy Mills said the area provided drivers with a quiet rest area that might prevent someone from falling asleep at the wheel. They moved and seconded that the signs be removed.

Councilor Bryan Harper announced he would work on forming a city team to enter an upcoming Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake tournament. Sara Cope and Dan Ludwig were officially appointed to Florence’s two seats on the Marion County Economic Development board.

The council then went into a 10-minute executive session with no action following.

Reports were heard upon return to open meeting. The fire department has received new communication radios and has incorporated their new program for driving department vehicles regularly.

The department’s recent fund-raiser pancake feed reportedly went well also, and the department would eventually like to add a trailer storage garage to the former city building.

The Florence Police Department has received a Department of Justice grant in the amount of $3,069. The grant money will be used to purchase new bulletproof vests.

A Community Service Day will take place March 4. Participants will work on cleaning up along the north side of U.S. Highway 50 near Florence.

Finally, the council thanked city employees for their street work between 10th and 11th streets.

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