Spencer Council tables Boys & Girls Club request

Council signs wastewater improvement agreements

Working in the absence of council president Jon Stantz, Spencer Town Council members Evan McKalip and Ginger Kohr met in regular session on April 20 to address a range of community requests and infrastructure updates. Also present to conduct town business were clerk-treasurer Cheryl Moke and town attorney Richard Lorenz.

The meeting opened with a request from Jason Kinney of Sweet Owen Tourism, who asked that Kohr serve as the Town representative on their board. The council approved the appointment before hearing from Brandi Hamilton of the Boys & Girls Club. Hamilton proposed a $15,000 annual investment toward a minibus to help transport high school and middle school students volunteering to mentor younger children. Given the significance of the request and the absence of Stantz, the council opted to table the matter until all members could be present.

Council members later moved forward with several Phase 1 improvements, approving CEI invoices totaling $95,176.94. The momentum continued as project manager Drew Flamion from Commonwealth Engineers presented the official construction agreements and a "Notice to Proceed" for the town's Wastewater Improvements Project. Both McKalip and Kohr signed the documents following a unanimous motion.

The council also reviewed status updates from various town departments, with Ryan Klaassen delivering a brief report on the sewer plant and collections, while Street Department Superintendent Tony Floyd updated the council on the latest Community Crossings Matching Grant (CCMG) paving project.

Colleen Minnemeyer of the Spencer Parks & Recreation Committee announced that new pickleball and basketball courts at the corner of South Main and East Cooper streets were to be cleaned, and surfaces applied beginning May 25, requiring the area to be temporarily closed to the public. She also reminded the council to ensure water was active for the fountains ahead of the Arbor Day event on April 25.

Councilman McKalip reminded the Street Department that mulch will be needed for a student workday scheduled for May 1.

There was no police report as Spencer Police Department Chief Terry Sips was away at training.