Mondovi groups planning St. Patrick’s Day event

by Beth Kraft

In an effort to “start a new tradition” in Mondovi and forge a new partnership, reps from the Mondovi Business Association and the Mondovi Women’s Business Network looked for backing from the Mondovi City Council at its second regular meeting of the month on Tuesday, Jan. 26, to proceed with planning for a St. Patrick’s Day event.

The MBA and MWBN are looking at joining forces to organize events in the city, Tessa Harmon explained. She said the groups are formulating a plan to hold an open house event in downtown Mondovi on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, from about 5 - 9 p.m. Businesses would be asked to stay open late to allow people to stop by. Some sort of game, such as a treasure or scavenger hunt, would also be involved to encourage people to visit as many places as possible.

The groups also asked that the city’s open container ordinance be relaxed during the event to allow people to mill around the downtown area with an alcoholic beverage in hand if they choose. The open container allowance would only be requested through a short area (about 1-2 city blocks) each way from the four-corners intersection, Harmon explained.

Organizers also said they were in talks with owners of vacant buildings on Eau Claire Street to see if they would allow those who own businesses outside the downtown area to set up shop there temporarily to participate in the event.

City leaders expressed some concerns about the potential for trash on downtown sidewalks and agreed with the groups’ idea of seeking out a student organization to pitch in with clean-up.

Overall, Council members agreed the idea for the event was a good one and asked MBA and MWBN reps to come back with more details this month.

Also that night, the Council discussed a standing offer from Brett and Cathy Cole to donate $6,000 toward the cost of a new playground system to the city. 

A Rainbow Play Systems playground on the Coles’ property was damaged in a storm last summer, so the company is issuing a settlement toward the cost of a new playground. However, the Coles are looking to donate the $6,000 credit as their children have outgrown a playground.

The Council discussed the donation at its Dec. 8 meeting, but tabled a decision after a few questions were raised.

Rainbow Play Systems products are all made out of redwood, city administrator Dan Lauersdorf said in response to a Council concern about moving away from wooden playground equipment.

Councilwoman Lynn Smith pointed out that existing wooden playground equipment at city parks is in “bad shape” and wished the city would look into obtaining equipment that doesn’t require maintenance.

“We do really need to evaluate our park equipment,” agreed Mondovi Mayor Treig Pronschinske. “It’s time to do something with them (the wooden playgrounds).”

Lauersdorf noted the city would have to pay the remainder of the cost of a playground from Rainbow, but $6,000 would put a pretty good dent in the price.

“I think you have the opportunity to get some equipment for basically half price,” Lauersdorf said.

Council members also wondered where the equipment would be placed if the city decides to accept the donation. Replacing existing wooden equipment at Mirror Lake Park and at the Arboretum were suggested, but city leaders agreed the Parks Commission would be better able to decide.

The Council agreed to have the Parks Commission evaluate existing playground equipment in the city and make a recommendation before making a decision on the Coles’ offer.

Following up on a conversation that began at the Council’s Jan. 12 meeting, city leaders acted to repeal Chapter 9, regulating orderly conduct, and a portion of Chapter 10 of city ordinances and recreate Chapter 9.

Mondovi Police Chief Scott Smith explained last month that an ordinance governing snow removal should be moved into Chapter 9 from 10 in order for the MPD to issue fines for non-compliance.

That ordinance advises against depositing snow on any sidewalk, alley, parkway, public place or street in the city. It is meant to prevent people from, for example, shoveling snow out of their driveways and into the street or pushing snow across the street onto a neighbor’s property.

That newly-added portion of Chapter 9 also refers to debris or other waste material.

Rather than amend Chapter 9, city leaders agreed to recreate the ordinance in its entirety for organizational purposes.

In other business that night, the Council approved the following:

• purchase used sewer truck from City of Eau Claire for new, reduced price of $20,000 and finance purchase with pickup truck purchase for utility dept. in Feb.

• table decision on website maintenance to research other options

• change company for short term disability and life insurance to Unum Insurance from EPIC Insurance for annual savings of over $3,000

• increase petty cash at Mondovi Police Department from $50 to $100

• operator license for Jessica J. Fitzgerald-Miller (Gumby’s)