EVEN THOUGH THE AIR TEMPEATURE HAS WARMED UP, THE GROUND TEMPERATURE STILL HAS A WAYS TO GO. BECAUSE OF THAT TODD IHDE WITH THE DECORAH WATER DEPARTMENT SAYS HOME OWNERS THAT HAVE RUN A STREAM FROM A FAUCET NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO SO.
IHDE
IHDE SAYS VARIOUS PARTS OF THE CITY HAVE DEALT WITH FROZEN PIPES AND MAINS THROUGH THE WINTER.
THE STREAK IS FINALLY OVER. SUNDAY WAS THE FIRST TIME IN 132 DAYS DECORAH HAD A HIGH TEMPERATURE OF OVER 50 DEGREES. THE DECORAH WATER DEPARTMENT, THE OFFICIAL WEATHER REPORTING STATION FOR THE COMMUNITY, RECORDED A HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 61 DEGREES. THE LAST DAY DECORAH HAD A TEMPERATURE OF OVER 50 WAS NOVEMBER 17TH AT 59 DEGREES. THE 132 DAY STREAK TIED FOR THE SECOND LONGEST IN DECORAH RECORDED WEATHER HISTORY WITHOUT A 50 DEGREE TEMPEARTURE. THE LONGEST WAS 146 DAYS FROM NOVEMBER 7TH OF 2000 TO APRIL FIRST OF 2001.
REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOSH BYRNES OF OSAGE REMAINS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT INCREASING INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING AT THE STATEHOUSE.
BYRNES
BYRNES SAYS HE’S HOLDING CONVERSATIONS ON THE ISSUE EVERYDAY AT THE STATEHOUSE. HE SAYS IN THE LAST FEW DAYS, THEY’VE GOTTEN SOME SENATORS TO GET ON BOARD WHO PREVIOUS WERE AGAINST A FUEL TAX INCREASE.
THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY BETTERMENT AND STREET COMMITTEES OF THE DECORAH CITY COUNCIL WILL EACH MEET TONIGHT. THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY BETTERMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOUSING AND TAX INCREMENT FINANCING OPTIONS AT SIX P.M. THE STREET COMMITTEE WILL MEET AT SEVEN P.M. THEY WILL DISCUSS THE CITY’S FIVE YEAR STREET PLAN, INCLUDING THE LOCUST ROAD PROJECT, STEYER BRIDGE AND EAST MAIN STREET.
THE DECORAH CITY COUNCIL WILL LOOK TO APPROVE A NEW HOTEL/MOTEL TAX REVENUE AGREEMENT NEXT WEEK. DECORAH CITY MANAGER CHAD BIRD SAYS THE COUNCIL’S BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE RECENTLY MET TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION,
BIRD
THE AGREEMENT DIVIDES THE REVENUE GENERATED FROM HOTEL AND MOTEL TAXES COLLECTED IN THE CITY OF DECORAH.
KEITH BRUENING OF BRUENING ROCK PRODUCTS DISCUSSED THE FRAC SAND MINING ISSUE WITH THE WINNESHIEK COUNTY SUPERVISORS THIS MORNING. BRUENING TOLD THE BOARD WHEN THE ISSUE FIRST SURFACED, HE HELD CORDIAL MEETINGS WITH THE WINNESHIEK COUNTY PROTECTORS ON THE ISSUE. BRUENING SAID THE PROTECTORS TOLD HIM HIS COMPANY WOULD BE PART OF THEIR DISCUSSIONS ON THE ISSUE, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN NAMED CALLED. BRUENING SAID THE INFORMATION THEY’RE PRESENTING IS ONE-SIDED AND THROUGH VARIOUS CHANNELS THEY’VE BEEN TOLD THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO STOP ALL OPEN PIT MINING IN WINNEHSIEK COUNTY . BRUENING SAID HE HAD NO ISSUE WITH THE HOW THE BOARD IS HANDLING THE SITUATION AND SAID HE SUPPORTED THE MORATORIUM ON THE FRAC SAND PRACTICE. SUPERVISORS CHAIR JOHN LOGSDON SAID FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS DEAN THOMPSON AND DENNIS KARLSBROTEN CONTINUE TO DO DILLIGENT STUDY ON THE ISSUE AND NEW INFORMATION IS BEING PRESENTED ALL THE TIME. KARLSBROTEN TOLD BRUENING IT IS NOT THE GOAL OF THE BOARD TO STOP OPEN PIT MINING. THOMPSON TOLD BRUENING HE AND KARLSBROTEN HAVE TAKEN TRIPS WITH OLSON EXPLOSIVES REPRESENTATIVES TO TOUR MINES IN WISCONSIN AND HE HAS SUBSCRIBED TO MINING MAGAZINES TO BECOME MORE INFORMED ON THE ISSUE. LOGSDON SAYS THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO FIND AS GOOD OF A BALANCE AS POSSIBLE ON FRAC SAND MINING MOVING FORWARD.
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