GL Council talks pets in parks, updated policies, Illinois Ave. construction and more

The flex time policy gives city employees the option to take overtime as flex time at the rate of one hour overtime equaling one hour of flex time.

The previous policy authorized employees to accumulate up to 24 hours of flex time annually. The new policy authorizes employees to accumulate up to 48 hours of flex time per year.

For non-department heads, flex time must be used by the end of the year. If it's not used, the remainder is paid out as overtime. There is no yearly cap for department head employees and remaining flex time is paid out as straight time at retirement or when employment is terminated, according to the approved policy.

4. Tabled ballpark pole

replacement payout Green Lake tabled a pay request for an extra $8, 000 in expenses accrued during the replacement of two ballpark poles at the Lake Street Sports Complex.

The ballpark is on a marsh. The original estimate to replace the poles was $7, 500 and was based on the belief that the water table was below the foundation base Top-six takeaways

from Monday^s

GL Common

Council meetings

By Bethanie Gengler

The city of Green Lake continued discussions on pets in parks, approved a new employee flex time policy and tabled a pay request for ballpark pole bases at their meetings Monday.

Here are the top-six takeaways from the Common Council and Committee of the Whole meetings:

1. Continued discussion

on pets in parks The Committee of the Whole continued discussions regarding the possibility of allowing animals in parks.

The city already requires pet owners to pick up any waste left by their dog, but dogs are not currently allowed in city parks. Past discussions centered around investing in bag stations and signs to encourage dog owners to dispose of their pet's waste. Ald. Jon McConnell noted he met with Public Works Director Jason Carley and they determined that bag stations cost about $300 each and the city would need five of them.

He said they've found a volunteer to empty the stations and they're working out funding details. The stations will either be purchased by Parks & Recreation, funded by donations or a combination of both.

2. Updated purchase

order policy The council updated the purchase order policy, which was adopted in 1994. The updated policy authorizes the Clerk-Treasurer's Office to stamp and enter invoices for items costing less than $2, 500 without a purchase order. Items totaling more than $2, 500 require a purchase order.

Purchases for more than $5, 000 must have prior approval from the City Council. Invoices and purchase orders must be signed by a department head.

The new policy requires department heads to seek at least two bids and submit them for review for equipment and supply purchases over $2, 500. They also must keep the Committee of the Whole informed of all purchases more than $2, 500.

The policy includes an exception for recurring contract services including utility bills, insurance, garbage and recycling, building inspections, attorney fees, engineering and other services determined by the council.

3. Updated employee

flex time policy The city approved an updated policy for employee flex time. The arrangement allows employees to accumulate time off instead of receiving overtime pay. updates at the baseball diamond.

The council voted to table the pay order pending a breakdown of costs and a discussion with the Legion.

5. Approved project

change request for

Illinois Avenue The council approved a change to the Illinois Avenue reconstruction of the poles. During replacement, it was determined that it wasn't below the foundation.

The additional $8, 000 is to cover the cost of materials for bored pile foundations, which provide stability by transferring the weight of the poles to concrete.

The council discussed the possibility of sharing the cost of the replacement with the American Legion, which is funding lighting project to extend a sewer lateral to a newly annexed parcel at Lac Verde Circle. The replacement increased the cost of the project by just under $4, 000.

It was noted at the meeting that replacing the lateral now will eliminate the need to tear up the road at a later date.

The homeowners will have the option of connecting to the new lateral at their own expense.

6. Denied insurance

claim for damaged motorcycle

The council voted to deny an insurance claim submitted by Jordan Wesner, whose motorcycle sustained damage in the Hattie Sherwood Park Beach parking lot.

Documents indicate Wesner parked his motorcycle and the kickstand allegedly sunk into the asphalt, causing it to tip over. An alderman noted at the meeting that it is common for kickstands to sink into asphalt and experienced cyclists typically carry a small block of wood or other item to prevent this from occurring.

Statewide Services, which administers claims for the city's insurance company, recommended the claim be denied.

The company wrote that its investigation revealed the incident was caused by sun and heat conditions, which were out of the city's control

Looking forward City Clerk Barb Dugenske said she still is working on the preliminary 2023 budget, adding that the state levy will determine how much money to account for based on the restrictions that are set.

Mayor Ray Radis said he and Dugenske are meeting with department heads this week to go over the budget line by line.

"After that, we'll distribute it to everybody for conversation and review, and input is always welcome on it so we all understand," he said.

Dugenske will present the preliminary 2023 budget to council members during a special council meeting Monday, October 24 at 4:30 p.m.