Mayor's Corner

MAYOR'S CORNER April, 2013

The April meeting was held Monday night the 8th of April. We had several guests in attendance providing us with information.
• First up was Chad Garber, superintendent of Wapsie Valley Schools, speaking on “Ten things you need to know about Wapsie Valley”. I would encourage you, if you have a chance, to listen to Chad’s presentation.
• Next up we had the opportunity to listen to Brett Matthias, Waverly Area Economic Director. Wait a minute I know what you’re thinking,” why listen to Waverly’s Economic Director?” Well that was one of Brett’s points, that title is deceiving. He wants us to know that he represents all of Bremer County. If you are thinking of expanding or starting a business in Bremer County he has a lot of information or maybe even financial help.
• Ed Hood was also at the meeting to present the city’s insurance policy. As we continue to watch our costs, Ed’s quote was approved with a slight increase.
• Jason Frank was at the meeting to give an update on Grump Days. Everything looks like it is going along fine in preparation for our June 14th thru the 16th city celebration. Don’t forget to get a float for the parade and sign up. I believe Sylvia Casterton is in charge of parade line up. If you can’t reach Sylvia, give Jason Franck a call. Jason is the president of the Community Club.
• Kevin Toulouse, from the Center Inn, was also there and he requested to have his liquor license moved to the City Park for Grump Days and the council approved his request.

The city wide garage sale day is coming up soon. I believe it is scheduled for the last weekend of April. For more specific details, please contact the ladies at the Readlyn Library for any questions. A Goodwill truck will be in Readlyn for a few days following the garage sales…….you can get more specifics on that also from the Library too.

Spring Clean-up days is scheduled for May 6, 7 and 8th. These are the days that we will pick up furniture and appliances. If you have any items that you want to have picked up or if you have any questions, please call Lois at the City Hall, she will be able to provide you with the info you need.

As the weather continues to get warmer, please remember to watch out for walkers and bikers. Also, as a reminder for you, if you are out walking or riding, please do not walk or ride down the middle of the streets, especially when it is dark outside. We want everyone to get out and enjoy the weather, so please be safe and courteous to others. As a city, we are working on a concentrated effort to slow down the traffic on the west end of 1st Street, where the bike trail merges with the city. Be sure to slow down when you are driving in that area of the city.

Reminder…….You are allowed to burn leaves from March 1st to May 15th. If you have garbage and cardboard to dispose of, please put the garbage out for the bi-weekly trash pick-up and take the cardboard to the recycling center for disposal. If you have any questions regarding more specifics regarding burning, please contact Lois at the City Hall.

Enjoy your summer – stay safe!

MAYOR'S CORNER March, 2013

“Happy Spring!”

The City Council continues to work on the budget for next year. We are trying to make the right decisions for the financial future of Readlyn including our street projects, water projects and sewer projects. We will be having a couple special meetings this month because we are having some experts on these issues come to Readlyn to speak to us to provide us with additional information that we need in order to make our decisions. Lois, Jim and Barney have also been attending special meetings and necessary training sessions to keep up on all of the changes that are happening.

One of the areas that we are going to have to update soon is the water and electric meters because they no longer make our current water meters. We are looking into a radio read meter, which means we will no longer need to have individuals go around and read each meter. This process will not happen immediately. It will probably be a multi-year process. Along with this change, we will need to update our software in the City Hall in order to do the monthly billing process. These are just a few of the many topics that we are discussing.

I had the opportunity to participate in the Bremer County 4-H Omelet Breakfast fundraiser, as one of their celebrity cooks, which included the Mayors of Bremer County. It was great to see all the support that is provided to the Bremer County 4-H program. I enjoyed meeting many new individuals and I also got to refresh my omelet making skills.

We have had a few challenges recently with our city garbage truck employees. Thanks to Ron Kohagen for stepping in to help us out at this time. Please be patient as we work through this transition and remember to have your garbage out by 7:00 am on Tuesday and Friday mornings, being sure to use the approved garbage container with the lid.

Once again, leaf burning will be allowed from March 15st thru May 15th. Please be courteous of your neighbors when burning leaves and for everyone’s safety, do not burn on windy days. Also, do not burn leaves on the streets or the sidewalks. If you have wet leaves, please don’t burn them because they just smoke. You can take wet leaves out to the compost pile by the sewer plant.

Have a safe, happy Easter ----- Be sure to get out to the Easter Egg Hunt to see the Easter Bunny!

Dan Wedemeier, Mayor

MAYOR'S CORNER January, 2013

December is the city's time for us to work on the next year’s budget; we will be working on that for about the next month. This is the time of year when we not only decide on what to spend but what to spend it on. This process is what will set the road map for the city for the next year. This process could include new equipment, repairs, and new projects for the city and what the fire department, first responders, library, and city needs. If you have any suggestions that we should consider, please let a city council member or me know.

The Readlyn Community Club has some activities going on the next month. New members are always welcome. Please try to attend a meeting and get involved. It is a great group and they do a lot for the city or Readlyn.

Be sure to purchase your tickets to the “Keep Your Heart In Readlyn Ball” coming up on Saturday, February 9, 2013. This is an awesome event – great food – great fun – wonderful items to bid on and all for a great cause – to support our schools and organizations.

Recycling is going great! Please try to separate your cardboard inside the building and put the corrugated cardboard in the outside dumpsters.

The FFA is doing a can drive in a trailer just east of the public school building. The funds from this can drive is for their National trip. Please try to help them out if you “can”. (can – get it? ).

The Community Club also has a can drive container at the recycling building in a cage for Grump Day’s fireworks.

In addition, under the recycling topic, we have had problems with our booster pumps in the sanitary sewer system. Please be careful and be smart with what you flush down the toilets. REMINDER…..wet ones, disposable diapers, swifter pads, etc. don't do well with impellers in our pumps. When you flush items like these into the sewer system and they get into the booster pumps, the city ends up having to hire a company to pull pumps and clean them – hopefully, if it does not ruin the pump and that is not cheap!

We do have a building on Main Street that is available for a business to move into. It was previously Marva Schuldt’s shop. Bremer County has an Economic Development Group that can help someone get a business started. It you are interested, contact City Hall for more information.

Don't forget the city sign at the southeast corner of town. You can rent it for a special occasion announcements. I will be working on getting the local schools, churches, and businesses to use it more to keep everyone more informed on what is going on. It is your sign use it. To use it call the library 319-279-3432.

Our Chief of Police, Steve has been working on Main Street parking and Post Office parking. He has also been working on the area around schools. This is for safety and snow removal reasons. Please try to help him and the city out.

Keep Warm!

MAYOR'S CORNER December, 2012

As the holiday season is upon us, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and on those who have helped to shape our community, whether in a small way or in a significant way.

I want to thank each of you and let you know that I value the relationships that we’ve built and look forward to working with you and for you in the year to come.

Remember your family, friends and neighbors as we look forward to celebrating this very special time of the year and as you anticipate the new year.

We wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a very happy holiday season and a new year filled with faith, peace and prosperity.

Dan Wedemeier, Mayor

MAYOR'S CORNER November, 2012

“Congratulations” to the Wapsie Valley Football Team – “State Champs!” We are very proud of you and your accomplishments.

“Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!”

We have so much to be thankful for this year. I sure hope that you all were able to spend some time reflecting on all of your blessings and were able to spend some time with your family and friends.

I would like to send a special “Thanks!” to Kip Ladage for leading the training and successful completion of the NIMS qualification (National Incident Management System) for the Mayor, City Council and city employees.

As many of may have noticed, Barney and Jim have the Christmas lights up for us all to enjoy during this holiday season. “Thanks Guys!” Also “Thank-you to the Community Club” for decorating the City Park for the community and all of our visitors to enjoy too! It looks great and gets everyone in the holiday spirit. Remember – the city is still doing a Christmas light promotion so if you put up a holiday light display, be sure to stop in to see Lois at the City Hall to receive your box of Christmas lights.

Craig Cogner, CEO of Butler County REC, attended our last City Council meeting and informed us that because of the oil boom in the Dakota’s, we will be seeing an increase in electric rates in 2013. Please know that the city is doing the best job that we can to keep our rates down. I think that if you compare the rates for the city of Readlyn to other surrounding communities, you will find that we have some of the lowest rates in the area.

The city has sold two lots recently. The corner lot at 138 Magil Avenue and lot 11 in the Park View addition have been sold. If you are interested in a lot, the city still has 5 lots for sale, just stop in the City Hall and talk to Lois, we are looking forward to working with anyone that is interested.

As I am writing this, I am actually seeing some snow flurries….. I want to remind you that with the winter months coming on, when it snows, please keep your vehicles off the streets so that we are able to do a good job removing the snow. Also, if you are able, it would be helpful if you would remove the snow around the fire hydrants – just in case we would have a need to access them.

Thank you all for your assistance and your willingness to step up and do what you do for our community. Readlyn has a lot to be proud of and thankful for and we appreciate everything each of you do to keep Readlyn the clean, safe and happy community that it is. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve you!

“Have a happy, safe holiday season!”

Dan Wedemeier, Mayor