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Lone Tree, Iowa
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March 3, 2005     The Lone Tree Reporter
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March 3, 2005
 
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The Lone Tree ORTER .75¢ www.lonetreereporter.com Volume CXIV, Issue 9 • Thursday, March 3, 2005 The only paper in the world that CARES ahout l,one Tree City Council discusses yard was| disposal for residents ,By JR Smetak The Lone Tree Reporter At the special meeting and work session on Wednesday, February 24, the City Council addressed the issue of yard waste. With the Burn Ban now an enforceable ordinance, the questions residents had been asking since the ban was first officially discussed last Novem- ber have been answered. The City will be building a yard waste composting site behind the city shed on Com- mercial Street. The site will consist of a 24-foot by 16-foot wooden shed with a metal roof. Cost has been initially estimat- ed at between $1,700 and $2,500. The Council approved a prelim- inary motion to build the shed, cost not to exceed $3,000 and to be completed no later than June 1, 2005 although the pre- ferred date of completion is May 1. In addition, the Council is considering buying a wood chipper to dispose of tree branches and similar natural wood waste. If the City does purchase the chipper, wood chip mulch would then be avail- able to residents of Lone Tree at no cost. Some residents, however, are still doubtful. Ruby Perezek, who is elderly, said that she would have great difficulty bag- ging yard waste. "I'm afraid," she said, "that if I bend down, I won't be able to get back up." Bob Lindley, city maintenance staff, pointed out that local scouts are looking for commu- nity service projects. "They need these projects to earn their merit badges," he said. Perezek, however, was hesitant, "I don't want to beg." According to Maria Forbes, Deputy Clerk, many elderly Lone Tree residents would be reluctant to ask for assistance. "These people are very inde- pendent," she said, "They've always done everything them- selves." Be that as it may, local scouts still need projects. Bob Lindley urged those who are elderly or disabled who need help with yard clean up to contact him. The City will be sending out an informational notice with regard to the Burn Ban and yard waste disposal. The text of the City's Press Release can be found on page X. The annual Spring Clean Up day was scheduled for May 21, from 8 a.m. to noon. During that time frame, residents can dispose of their yard waste. The council made a one-time provision for residents to be able to drop off their old unneeded burn barrels. Also on the agenda was the North Lagoon. At this point, proposals for what to do with that area are in the preliminary stage, and, in any case, nothing can be done with the lagoon for the present. A representative from the Department of Natur- al Resources informed the City Council at the last work session meeting, February 16th, that the area could not, as yet, be covered. Two different ideas for use of" the land have been suggested. One is to fill in the land and put in two softball fields, a soccer field, and a playground. The other is to restore the area as a wetland/nature preserve to be used for hiking and educational purposes by area residents and schools. Additional issues addressed included continued street work. The section on Perkins is timished and the next section to be done will be Linn Street from Perkins to Huskins. How- ever, due to budgetary con- straints, the work will be pre- liminary. Drainage pipes will be installed and covered this summer. Devoe Street second phase will also be completed. And finally, the blue water tower will be dismantled and sold once the new tower--- which will be painted white with a green stripe---is up and running. Councilmember Todd Hayes submit- ted suggested plans for North Lagoon Park allowing addi- tional space for a skateboard park. I: t: Sheriff to enforce new burn ordinance in Lone Tree B V Mclissa It The Lone Tree Reporter Heavy Smoke clung in the air as citizens headed into City Hall on Thursday, Febru- ary 24, the tirrst day that Lone Tree's new burn ordinance went into effect. Previously, an older burn ordinance had been in effect, Pulkrabek it just was not being followed or enforced. The Council, touting concerns about public health, had been in the process of revising the ordinance late in 2004. A citizen reported the fire burning Thursday around 7:23 p.m. Sheriff's Deputy Elliott responded to the call but did not issue a citation because the person burning said that he was unaware of the burn ordinance. Although citi- zens have been reporting burning to the John- son County Sheriff's Office almost weekly over the past month, so far, only warnings have been issued. Newly elected Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek said that an officer would be sent to investigate all calls concerning illegal burning. "It is the officer's discretion whether to write a citation," Pulkrabek said. "The officer can always come back and issue a citation at a latter date, even ff all the evidence 'has been burned' before he arrives." The new ordinance proclaims illegal burning to be a misdemeanor but it does not state a dol- lar amount for the time. "(Since a fine is not specified) a citizen who is ' issued a citation would have to go before a judge who would impose a time," Pulkrabek said. High-flying Ryerson dunks Eagles Photo by Jeff Quigley Lone Tree Junior Zach Rymson completed two fabu- lous dunks and an alley-oop Monday helping his team defeat Keota and advance in the semi-finals. See game coverage on Page 6. Happy 103 Birthday March 3 The Reporter would like to wish a happy 103rd birthday to Ellen Benson on Thursday. Benson is a resident of Lone Tree Health Care Center. LTBA Meeting March 13 The Lone Tree Ball AssoCiation's Spring Meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 13, in the school cafeteria. Parents and coaches heed to attend this meeting. Finances, registra- tion, and the season are to be discussed. Contact Brad Woodiwiss with questions at 629-5480. Citywide Brainstorming Session March 16 Residents are encouraged to attend a brainstorming session on Wednesday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. The session, designed to help generate ideas to move the city forward, will be held at the American Legion. This will be an opportunity for inter- i ested residents to present their ideas for discussion. According to Council mem- ber Melinda Wieland, this will be an open forum and "no idea is a bad idea." Rules for the brainstorming session can be picked at City Hall. Easter Egg Hunt March 19 The Annual Elan Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, March 1 9. Reg- istration will be from 9:30 - 9:45 with the hunt begininng at 10:00 in front of Lone Tree Community School. All children 3rd grade and under are welcome to par- ticipate. The hunt will be held at the fire station in case of badweather, i For more information please call Teresa Schmidt at 629-5348. Flu Vaccine available in Lone Tree The Lone Tree Family Practice Cen- ter has a supply of the ]nfluenza vac- cine, which is available to the public regardless of age. Call 319-629-4214 to schedule an appointment.