Litchfield City Council Meeting
The Litchfield City Council has approved of the Litchfield Civic Arena site as the location for the Litchfield Area Recreation Center. The facility will be built just west of the Civic Arena.
Pat Overom from ICS reviewed some of the pros and cons of that location last night. He says some of the challenges include the soil and students using the facility having to cross Gilman Avenue, but the benefits include the existing parking lot at the Civic Arena, efficiencies of the existing space, and the perceived community ownership. Construction of the LARC is expected to begin late in the summer of 2024 and conclude in the fall of 2025. Councilman Eric Mathwig commented that there is enough room in that location for a swimming pool to be added at some point.
The Council approved of certifying the 2024 property tax levy in the amount of $3,482,008, along with the budgets for 2024. Council member Darlene Kotelnicki voted against each of the 4 resolutions. Council member Betty Allen voted against the resolution adopting the operating funds budget.
The Council approved of hiring New History to get the process started for the downtown façade grant program. The Legislature provided $2-million in grants for downtown Litchfield building improvements in its bonding bill. State Representative Dean Urdahl spoke to the Council about the program and said that it would help business owners improve the facades of their buildings and then they will have more of their own money for interior improvements.
The Litchfield City Council approved of Meeker County’s cannabis ordinance which the County Board is expected to act on during its January 2nd meeting; and approved of a resolution for the local road improvement program to seek a grant to help cover expenses for the future improvement of Johnson Drive and 260th Street in the Walmart area.
Carl Minton from Golf Club Inc. told the Council last night that Shady’s will not be renewing its lease for the golf course restaurant, but will continue operations through February 1st. The Council is still planning to have a work session on December 18th at 4 p.m. to discuss the future I options for the Golf Club.