Winter temperatures may be in full force, but thoughts of warmer days were in air at the January 15th Stanley Council meeting where the Council made changes to the Chapman Park Campground reservations and rates for the 2024 season. Gone are the weekly and extended stay rates that are now replaced with daily camping rates that have increased from $20 per night to $40 for electric sites and $35 per night for non-electric sites. Rates are set at a price that is hoped to attract campers who will visit the Stanley community for relaxation and recreation in a respectful manner. While reservations may still be made in person at City Hall, the Council further decided that beginning in 2025, campground reservations will be online only.
“Since we changed the rules for last year how have people responded to the rules?” asked Alderperson Laurie Foster referencing issues from the 2023 camping season, including too many campers staying at one site and campers not parking where they are supposed to and blocking other sites.
“It’s still a free for all,” answered John Hoel, Public Works operator in charge.
Foster stated that the current price of $25 per night was too low. “You’re losing money,” she said mentioning the maintenance and upkeep costs for the campground.
“Some of the people we talked to said they wouldn’t be opposed to $35, $40 dollars a night, not at all,” Hoel said, speaking of previous campers.
“That’ll keep some of the riff raff out,” Alderperson Jacob Huff mentioned.
At the Monday evening regular Council meeting, Mayor Al Haas welcomed Alderperson Ben Wald who was recently approved to the Ward 1,8 open seat recently left vacant to his first City Council meeting. “I just want to welcome Ben to the group,” Haas said to Wald who was also appointed to the Parks/Cemetery, Health and Sanitation and City Building Committees.
As Library Director Elizabeth Miniatt presented the monthly Library report she handed out a form to the Council members. “It’s basically a rundown of the ways that the City supports the Library and has supported the Library significantly over the years.” She explained that the Library will be sharing that form during their Building Connections Building Campaign through which they hope to offer an updated and accessible Library space for the community and thanked the Council for their support.
The City Council unanimously approved the City of Stanley to have their own Facebook page. Projected to be active by the end of the month, the City’s social media page will be separate from the Stanley Police Department’s page and will be used to show updates, alerts, and other City news. City Administrator Nicole Pilgrim stated that having the page is better for emergency purposes and for notifying the public. It was noted that comments from the public will be disabled on the Facebook page. The Council unanimously approved a social media policy for the City.
An upcoming full-time water department position will be available in the City of Stanley and will be posted in the Stanley-Republican, Shopper, and on the City of Stanley website. Alderperson Jason Meyer inquired if the last internal job posting for the water department had been made available to a specified current city employee. Meyer was informed that the specified employee wanted more money than what was offered for the internal posting. Huff stated that the upcoming open position will be an entry level position with a wage lower than the previous internal posting. Meyer remarked that he was approached by an individual (who wished to remain anonymous) who was concerned that a current city employee was being passed over due to his age. “Anybody can apply for any position,” Huff answered. “It doesn’t mean they will get that position based on numerous factors.”
The next Stanley City Council meeting will be held on February 5th at the City Hall conference room.