The Lynnville City Council met in regular session Monday, May 8, at 5:30 p.m. at Lynnville City Hall with all councilmembers present. Guests included Dale Flander and Faye Brand.
The agenda was approved as well as the minutes from the April meeting and city and payroll claims.
Brand gave a report on updates at the Lynnville Ballpark, which still includes further landscaping around the bell stand, a storyboard telling the history of the Lynnville School and the park today, as well as a seating area. The Chamber is planning Lynnville Day to be at the ballpark again this year in conjunction with some Little League contests, free pancake breakfast by 1st State Bank, dedication of Al Terpstra Field, a lunch, and a kickball tournament. She also reported the Lynnville United Fund was approaching $7,500 and the Hometown Pride Committee will be changing the process of how recipients of this money are chosen.
In old business, Flander asked about golf carts running around town and if there was an ordinance on them. Other four-wheelers and dirt bikes were flying around town as well. Some people do drive their golf carts sensibly from the club house to the gas station and how luck would have it, would probably be the ones to get ticketed if more attention was brought to the town. Mayor Roy James will talk with the parents of the kids flying through town.
Resolution 2017-05 Nick Harder Property Changes was next on the agenda. A letter from the city's attorney and a letter from the Harders were shared. The Harders want to park a motor home at the property of Cross Street and First Street and hook up to city sewer and water so their kids, who are open enrolled at Lynnville-Sully, would have a place to "go home" to between school events. The attorney's letter shared that a wheeled trailer is not on the list of what is considered a home dwelling in the city code. "If we wanted trailer houses, we would have a trailer park, and we don't have that in this town," said councilmember Mark Newberg. "I don't disagree with what they want to do with the property, but there are citizens who would see this as setting a precedence, and a 1979 trailer could be pulled in up the hill, and we don't want our town looking like this."
After a lengthy discussion, the matter was tabled and mayor James will speak with the Harders and the other person interested in buying the lot to build a home in hopes of the city not getting involved in the purchase of the lot.
Resolution 2017-06 stated Val Courter will be opening up the previous Linden House as a bed and breakfast and restaurant and requested a liquor license. The council approved.
Resolution 2017-07 for ZIP IN's cigarette/tobacco license renewal was approved.
In new business, the tennis court lines were approved to be repainted and pickleball court lines will also be added.
In council reports, councilmember Bev Van Maanen was asked if the drinking fountain could be fixed down at the ABC Garden. Cindy Van Kooten, Jaci Vande Krol, and Van Maanen will be opening up an Airbnb in the original bank beside Riverside Junction in the space that the Van Kootens had rented out as an apartment. Van Maanen inquired if hotel/motel tax would need to be charged. At this time, hotel/motel tax does not apply to Airbnbs, according to councilmember Hugh Carney.
Josh DeWitt gave the maintenance report.
The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.
