» Council continued to fine-tune the city’s 2010 budget during their
work session with managers of the city’s golf course and liquor store.
Pat Hennessy, manager of the Municipal Liquor Store, said there was an increase of about 4 percent, or $50,000, in sales over the previous year, and there have been no major problems with the building other than the usual lack of control with the heating system. The liquor store is expected to generate $1.55 million in revenue next year; revenue for 2009 through the end of October is $1.25 million. No major changes in staffing or operations are planned for the upcoming year, Hennessy said.
Golf course manager Mike Kunshier said he succeeded in cutting costs this year with some minor changes such as reductions in frequency of mowing, use of fertilizers and other chemicals, and reductions in staff. There was some discussion about the continuation of the free golf program offered to guests at the city’s campground and the need to increase use of the course through that and other promotions. Overall, Kunshier said he was satisfied
with the way things went this year, and he will continue to look for
ways to reduce spending.
» Jane Shinners and Eric Humphrey, representing the Cook County
Events & Visitors Bureau, gave an update on the organization’s annual meeting and said plans to consolidate the efforts of the several existing tourism agencies in the county are moving forward. The new agency’s mission is marketing the area, rather than event planning, they said.
Shinners said there will be no change in fees. “It’s just a difference of how we manage the money we have,” she said, adding the board members are all happy to be at this point after months of
planning. Humphrey said he is hopeful the new organization can
be up and running by next summer.
» Humphrey also reported that more than enough money has
been contributed by the downtown businesses to exceed the city’s promised $5,000 match for holiday lights and other decorations, and the items have been ordered. The total price tag for the
decorations is about $12,000; they will be placed along Wisconsin
Street, Harbor Park and First Avenue West.
» M ayor Hakes and Councilor Jan Sivertson said they were still
hopeful of having an ice skating rink added to Harbor Park to go along with the decorations. Humphrey said he has been looking into the costs and different ways to construct a rink, but it is not very encouraging. However, it was asked if an artificial ice surface could be purchased, which would be more easily installed and maintained, and could even be left in place year-round. Humphrey
said he would research the cost. “It would be fun to skate in July!”
said Sivertson.
» B ased on a recommendation from the planning commission,
council granted a variance request for a 20-acre parcel adjacent to County Road 7 owned by Dale Speck. The variance is from the requirement of a lot to have frontage on a public street, and is needed so the property can be subdivided, thus creating two
lots without frontage. The newly created lots otherwise meet R-1
zoning requirements.
» Council approved its liability insurance policy, with only minor
changes, as presented by insurance agent Paul Coe. The policy
increased about 7 1/2 percent over the prior year, Coe said.
» Following discussion of various options, council decided to go
forward with bond sales for business park financing as originally planned on Nov. 18.
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