City Council discusses assessments, pool, and museum

The Malta City Council approved four resolutions to be submitted to the Phillips County Assessor at their bi-weekly meeting on August 24, at City Hall.

The council approved the annual street maintenance assessment of $1.15 per lot front-footage for a total of $118,432.37. The annual street lighting assessment, at a rate of $0.007 per square foot of the lot, for a total of $105,828.06. The annual underground sprinkler assessment, for a total of $3,009.71 for those that this includes, and the annual garbage assessment, for a total of $294,968.00. All of these assessments have stayed the same from the 2020-21 year. There are no increases in any of them from last year.

The council received a visit from Anne Boothe and Mardy Demarais. Both are volunteer board members for the Judith River Foundation, Inc., on behalf of the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum. They informed the council of the museum’s upcoming plans, needs, and priorities for the coming years.

They told the council that the museum’s contract with the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, for the fossil Leonardo, is nearing the end of its term. They are working with their partners to determine their options and where Leonardo will go next, with an eventual return to Malta. With that return, the museum will require more physical space to exhibit him, and other displays that they obtain.

The museum has experienced record numbers this year. Numbers that are better than when the museum had first opened.

They are looking to begin a capital campaign before year’s end for a major expansion, which may include a Preliminary Architect Plan (PAR), that will help identify all the requirements and help develop a funding plan.

They wanted the council to be aware of their needs and goals, and ask for the council’s consideration to sponsor a request for assistance to Bear Paw Development and other efforts that may require a municipal endorsement.

The council informed them that they would help in any way that they can.

Mayor Demaris said, “I have been behind the museum from day one. I don’t think anybody with the city would have any problems sponsoring you.”

In Public Works Director, Jim Truelove’s report to the council, he informed the council that the pool is closed for the season.

Truelove said, “Overall the pool ran good this year. We had a few small headaches, but all in all, things went really well.”

PWD Truelove gave the council City Pool Manager, Kelly Cederbergs’, end-of-the-year report for the pool.

The pool was only shut down a total of six days this season for mechanical and weather issues. In years past, other than last year with Covid issues, the pool has averaged $6,000 per year in revenue. This year, the pool averaged 150-200 kids per day and had 17 sponsor days. Which is an outstanding number. The revenue this year at the pool was $20,000. An amazing jump.

Truelove said, “Kelly Cederberg did a great job. I can’t say enough about her management of the pool.”

Truelove went on to inform the council that chlorine is getting scarce right now.

He said, “We do have some leftover to start next year.”

He informed the council that he has received calls inquiring if the city has any chlorine left over to sell, but due to the uncertainty of its availability for next season, he has told those inquiries that the answer is a “hard no”.

PWD Truelove informed the council that the old armory got its first usage over the past couple of weeks. The Red Cross set up an evacuation center for those that were displaced due to the wildfires. “They were very happy with the facilities out there,” Truelove reported.

Truelove also reported that a variable frequency drive went out at the lagoon. Another drive had been ordered and was being installed as they speak.

City Clerk/Treasurer Lori Bond gave the council the usual reports. The current check register, current shut-off list, and a current list of lawn letters that were sent out.

Bond said that Gina Lamb had asked if it was ok for the volleyball and cross country teams to paint the streets from Central Avenue to the high school on 7th and 8th streets like they did last year.

The council agreed that it was a good tradition and good for school spirit. The teams are to contact Jim Truelove if anything is required for safety or sweeping of the streets.

Parks and Rec Director Sally Wright gave her report.

Wright informed the council that they currently have Youth Soccer going that started on August 16, and there are eight teams. The season-ending cornhole tournament was held on Friday, August 27.

Wright then informed the council of the upcoming events.

Fall HIIT’s classes start September 1 and go through November 17. Coed adult volleyball starts September 20, with registration due on Sept. 10. Fall yoga classes will run from Sept. 21-Oct. 26. Fall tiny tots will run from Sept. 28-Nov. 18, and fall Bootcamp will run on the same dates as the tiny tots.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:02 p.m.