Parking to change from parallel to angle in front of library
By Becky Uehling
Grant Tribune-Sentinel
Parking in front of Hastings Memorial Library in Grant will change in the near future from parallel to angle parking. The Grant City Council unanimously approved the decision during its Tuesday, Oct. 25 meeting.
The question to change the parking arrangement was brought forward to the city by the library board of directors, who sought to increase the parking stalls, make the parking area safer for patrons, improve drainage from the east side of the building and also add a handicap stall, said City Superintendent Edward Dunn .
With the change in the parking design, parking availability will go up by one more stall, in addition to a handicap stall, Dunn said.
Dunn said a review by the City of Grant’s engineer estimated the work to cost approximately $30,000. Dunn said the money is available to complete the work.
Hastings Memorial Librarian Robin Quinn, who was at the meeting, said angled parking would be very beneficial to the library.
“We have seen so many near accidents because of the parallel parking,” Quinn said. “We are scared that a child might run between the cars and get hit.”
After discussion, the council unanimously voted to move forward with the work to implement angle parking in front of the library, as well as addressing the drainage issue that is present near the alley on the east side of the building.
Dunn said it would be advantageous to have the company Level LLC, who is in town completing the work on Central Ave., to also do the parking stall work. However, the ultimate determination of who is hired will depend on if the work exceeds $30,000. If so, the project will have to be put out to bid.
Other Business
In related street business, the council discussed the 2022-23 Street Improvement Plan, specifically discussing work on various intersections, including 7th and Lincoln and 6th and Warren, and also pot- holes south of Grant on Road 328 to the city’s limit.
After discussion, the council decided to table the issue until more information on the cost of the parking changes by the library are finalized.
Legion Agreement Finalized
The council finalized the license and management agreement between the city and the newly formed Legion Ball Association.
To be sponsored by the Grant American Legion Post 40, the new Legion Baseball Team will begin its season in 2023 under the direction of Chris Fryzek and John Goodell.
The Grant City Council, Dunn, the city’s legal counsel Tawna Holmstedt, members of Post 40, as well as Fryzek and Goodell, have been working through the eight page agreement revising various portions.
The agreement lays out the many expectations between the two entities. Such expectations deal with responsibilities of each entity pertaining to the upkeep and preparation of the ball fields; scheduling of games and practices; required supervision of Legion events; parameters for usage of the perimeter fence for signage; insurance requirements; among other details.
Quinn Honored
During the meeting the council and Dunn honored Quinn for her 15 years of service as librarian at Hastings Memorial Library.
Quinn gave an overview on how several things have changed throughout her time at the library. (Please look forward to a special article on Quinn in next week’s edition of the Tribune-Sentinel.)
Schmitt’s absence approved
After discussion and deliberation in executive session, the council unanimously approved during its Oct. 11 meeting the official excused absences of Mayor Lisa Schmitt from the city council meetings through November.
Schmitt has been absent from the City Council meetings since early 2022 for training related to her job, with Council President Andrea Brueggeman leading the meetings.