by Mari Radtke
Connie Ebel spoke to the council on behalf of the Primghar Golf Board. She requested that locators be placed on flags at the golf course. The school district is hosting 6 of its 8 meets and the request came from a parent.
The Primghar City Council discussed the status of several nuisance properties they have been working to get clean up. City attorney Thor Klinker reported that three of those properties are in collection actions that could include sheriff’s sales. He also reported that the owner of two downtown properties came to court without an attorney, delaying any action. It was also reported that there is a court order in place that the failure to have an attorney has delayed. Property under the control of O’Brien County Historic Society was discussed and next steps considered. They have a lot of historical items that need to be relocated. They have been put on notice that weed control will be enforced. Council members want to meet with board members before making any decisions.
The building once known as “Aspire of Primghar,” the former care center was discussed. City Clerk Jaynee Rushton reported that there had been a “massive water leak” there and that no payments have been made since October 2021. the water leak ended the interest of a potential buyer according to Rushton. Councilman and assistant fire chief Sean Scroggin commented,”From the fire department standpoint that place is a major health concern. I mean, we (the fire department) won’t even go into the place without SCBA because it is so bad.” Outside signage issues are in a nuisance state. Klinker then said, “Okay then it is time to do an abandoned property against them.”
Council approved April 10 -12 as cleanup days. Residents can put construction waste, furniture or other not trash items out to be scavenged or collected for disposal.
Highway lighting is making progress. It was reported that a fault on the source side of the highway is causing problems. They think a wire is bad between the source and the first light. They are narrowing down which source has the fault, and which lights are connected to which photo cells. The testing and potential work to fix the lights was updated to council.
Summer help for cemetery, city crews and golf course along with wages was discussed and put on hold until it is known who might be returning.
Bids for cemetery mowing were considered and give nto TK Mowing of Sheldon. The Golf Course Manager contract was also approved.