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Center City Council met September 3 for a regular meeting.  All members were present with two visitors in the audience.

In open forum, business owner Barry Moe asked the council where the issue of Schulze Avenue is, more specifically the access to his parking lot in the rear of the building.  Moe and fellow business owner Kyle Johnson approached the council multiple times to ask the city for help with the drainage from their parking lots.  Rainwater has had a problem with finding an exit and has at times drained along the building on the sidewalk, causing damage to the sidewalk and the rear parking lot.  Moe and Johnson stated the road has been resurfaced too many times  with layers creating a berm that keeps water contained until it finds a less desirable path to take.  Moe said he has filed with the courts because his parking lot has recently been regraded against his wishes to make the drainage even worse.  Council member Ryan Pease reminded Moe the lawsuit is a civil matter and the city doesn’t discuss those matters. 

Moe agreed and pleaded with council to come see personally what he is referring to.  Mayor Jill Behnke asked all council members to visit Moe’s property this week.  

Council then was told the existing fishing pier was being dismantled this week and the new DNR pier is set to arrive soon.  It was agreed the new pier, once assembled, will be stored in the usual winter holding spot near the North Center boat launch.

Council then passed a resolution accepting the 2025 preliminary Levy.  The Levy will be set at $380,100 which is an increase of 6.92 percent.   The general fund saw a 13.78 increase but other funds such as capital improvements, and dock funding and bond debt service saw decreases.

Council set the next truth-in-taxation meeting for December 3 prior to the regular council meeting.

The council then passed the 2025 Sheriff’s Office patrol contract unanimously.  The contract calls for an average of 40 patrol hours per month at a rate of $74.46 per service hour.

Council then agreed on the purchase of a new cell phone for new maintenance supervisor Shawn Gallagher.  Council also agreed for Gallagher’s hours as Monday thru Thursday 7 a.m.-4 p.m. and Fridays from 7-11 a.m.

Council passed a request for an event permit from the Nordic Harbor hotel and market.  The Nordic is planning on a fall appreciation gala on September 22 that will run from 11 a.m. until close (dusk).

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