by Joseph Back The Stanley Common Council met last Monday, with many items listed on the agenda. Among them was the sale of the old clock tower for $50,000 to Joshua Sudbrink, an insurance renewal on the city’s part complete with a presentation from Casey Woodcock, and the vote to sell the old clock tower, to be maintained by the city building’s buyer. First though, there was a request by Alderwoman Laurie Foster: address the cemetery issue!

“If you would like a project you would like $64,000 spent on, get it on the agenda,” Barby shared his opinion with Foster during the Committee of the Whole meeting August 17 of the budget request to pave the road at Oakwood Cemetery on the south side, otherwise known simply as 'the city cemetery.” The $64,000 figure in question had been saved from a road project previously scheduled for Pine Court, which together with other road money saved from 2019 was due to be spent on the upcoming police addition, pending a revision and rebidding of the project. “We’ve let this bleed for too long,” Alderman Mark Fitzsimmons said later on of the police addition. “It’s time to get it to bricks and mortar.”

Meanwhile, Stanley Police Chief Lance Weiland reported that the department had carried out 300 vehicle inspections since the service had become available through the local police station. 'Looks like the lift in the new police building is going to pay for itself,” a council member noted. With a motion by Barby that was seconded by Jacob Huff, the amended budget was approved. Later in the regular meeting, local insurance agent Casey Woodcock had come from Forward Financial to explain the city’s insurance renewal. The Mayor had a question: just what was “Inland Marine” on the policy renewal and what did it mean?

A confusing and potentially misleading term. Woodcock explained. “Inland Marine” in the city policy could technically include maintenance equipment like graders and other things only loosely related to the waterway question. Then there was the “zoo” renewal pertaining to the elk and deer parks. Say what?

As it turned out, “zoo” insurance for the city deer and elk was more related to liability questions should one of the currently contained animals decide to break out and try to see the world, or part of it. Damage to gardens and other issues was included in zoo coverage, the council learned. With the insurance renewal approved it was on to other business, including the finalization of the old clock tower’s sale, with the purchase agree-

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ment stipulating that the tower “would be maintained” by the buyer. City Administrator-Clerk-Treasurer Donnelle Spaulding read out the role, with each council member responding in turn.

“Kevin Hendrickson?”

“Yes.”

“Kent Barby?”

“Yes.”

“Jacob Huff?”

“Yes.”

“Laurie Foster?”

“Yes.”

Holly Kitchell?”

“Yes.”

“Rick Hodowanic?”

“Yes.”

“Mark Fitzsimmons?”

“Yes.”

Alderman Mike Karlen was not present to vote on the sale of the old “city building,” with the measure passing in his absence. Prior to adjournment, Alderman Kent Barby had an observation to make on open meetings and technology upgrades.

“We need a Jabra,” he said of an alternative electronic speaker to the one in use on Monday. A Jabra could both take in and make open government more accessible and understandable to long distance attendees. Reception of late had been poor, but didn’t need to be.

“It’s Bluetooth and they’re wonderful,” Barby said of the pending speaker upgrade.

Forward Insurance agent Casey Woodcock appeared at the August 17 Council meeting to answer questions relating to a renewal of the city’s insurance policy. Staff photo.