The Goessel city council met on June 17 and discussed fireworks discharge dates and times. They decided that fireworks will be allowed within city limits on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 4, 5, and 6, beginning at 8 a.m. each of those days. On Thursday, July 4, fireworks may be discharged until 11 p.m. Fireworks may be discharged until 12 midnight on Friday, July 5, and also until 12 midnight on Saturday, July 6. No fireworks are allowed on Sunday, July 7.
The council also discussed a request from the Goessel church. Mayor Dave Schrag said the church would like to have a fireworks show that would be open to the public. The church is planning the show for June 30 at 6:30 p.m. They plan to have a fire hose and water available as a safety precaution. The church plans to include an ice cream social with the event.
Council member Evan Esau said he went to the fireworks event that the church hosted last year. He said it was well organized, and lots of people came.
The council voted to allow the church to host a fireworks event again this year.
Turning their attention to another matter, the council discussed the city park. Specifically, playground equipment was mentioned. Esau commented, “I think it would be nice to have something to fit smaller kids.” The council specifically noted that the park needs something for children six months to two years old, perhaps something with a swing and a small slide.
The council spent some time discussing what to include in equipment for small children and where to install it. The council noted that the equipment needs shade, and it needs to be located so that parents who have children of various ages can watch their children on all the play equipment at the park. Therefore, the council decided that the space south of the shelter house would not be a good place for new equipment, even though that area has shade; parents would not be able to see children on play equipment in other areas of the park. Available space north of the shelter house does not have shade. The council talked about safety and did not want to put a new play area at a place where little children would have to cross the driveway at the park. Council members were encouraged to go to the park and look at options. They were also encouraged to look at playground equipment examples to find ideas of equipment that might be good for Goessel’s park.
It was also noted that rock under the swings is getting bare, as well as the rock under the merry-go-round.
Public works director Karen Dalke told the council about a tree at the park that is starting to lean over. The council also talked about the need to replace the picnic tables at the park.
No decisions were made about the park. The council will investigate the cost of the various needs and will discuss the park again at another meeting.
`In other business, the council:
* signed a thank-you card for the city of Moundridge public works department. Goessel’s sewer system had been overwhelmed with recent rains. Moundridge had loaned equipment to Goessel to help deal with the situation. Moundridge public works employees brought the equipment and helped alleviate the problem at Goessel. The city of Goessel appreciated the help and wished to thank Moundridge.
* discussed plans for the sign near K-15. It was noted that the concrete has been poured. Schrag said it has to cure for 28 days before more work can be done. The council hoped the sign could be erected before Threshing Days.
* briefly discussed lighting for the new sign but decided to wait until the rock sign is in place before making a decision about specific lighting.
* heard that mowing had been done between rains.
* heard about a gate that had been fixed at the lagoon ponds.
* briefly discussed security cameras. The council plans to get bids and then discuss what might be best for the city.
* set July 12 as the date for a sewer project pre-construction meeting. City clerk Jennifer Whitehead explained that all the people involved in the project will meet and discuss the plan and completion date for getting the project done. Schrag encouraged council members to come and attend that planning meeting.
* heard from Whitehead that the city had been approved for a grant to obtain a generator that could be used by the city in case of an electrical power outage.
* heard that a budget hearing would be held in July. Whitehead said the city’s assessed valuation had increased.
* heard about the city-wide clean-up day scheduled for the following weekend.
