Rosebud City officials give State of the City report at meeting
Rosebud City Administrator Ken Murray and City Librarian Kelly Hughes reported on the state of the city and the D Brown Library at the first meeting Wednesday of the 2024-25 club year of the Wednesday Study Club in the community room of the library.
Murray said that the city had started clearing culverts and shooting grades on ditches, hoping to make some headway on the city’s drainage issues. “I have laid out a plan with public works to make some headway on the issue,” said Murray. Brush pickup is underway. It will be the final round. “Should we have another bad storm that causes a lot of damage, we will start another round.”
Hughes reported statistics for 9/23/ to 8/24 for the library, highlighting that there were 62 new patrons, 270 new items had been added, 1701 items were checked in,1769 items were checked out, 1382 items were renewed, 635 instances of computer use and 1113 visits were made to the library.
The summer program “Blast Off” with a theme of Space was successful. “Mr. Dave,” aka Chief of Police David Ernst, read at story time at the request of the youthful participants. At craft time the youngsters made their own galaxies out of black construction paper, chalk and space stickers. They also painted their own planet, shot rockets from a straw and decorated alien ships. The children a total of 10,694 minutes.
Hughes said new families signed up and parents are already asking when the next program will be.
She also said that the D Brown Library had received a $1,000 check from the estate of Diana Miles, a former WSC member who moved away. Hughes suggested the donation be used for blinds in the library because of the removal of the large tree that formerly shaded the windows.
Hughes reported she had submitted three grant proposals recently but had not received a reply. An Epson Photo Scanner was donated to the library, and the WSC had provided the library with an estimated 45-50 books this past year.
Additionally, she said the library has been accredited for another year and that they need books.
Murray in his report on the city said the cost of the audit has gone up to $12,000.
He continues that the city has limited manpower to dedicate to large projects, so he will plan a 5-day rotation on issues so that the city can document some progress and that he will pitch in to help as needed.
The Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) to replace water lines in West Rosebud has been awarded and he will be advertising for quotes (bid?). Also concerning the water and sewer department, an updated list of (fire) hydrants that need repair or replacement has been developed. They are at: West Ave. B and S. Oak - broken stem; East Main and S. First St. - broken stem; Main and S. Military - leaks when off; Main and US 77 - leaks; Military and Avenue E - leaks; and N. David Earl and Avenue D - broken stem.
Scott Murrah, the city engineer, has been out to look at the main ditch from the northeast corner of town. He will determine if the city can make any corrections to the flow to ease flooding issues specifically in that area. He is trying to identify a secondary route to clear more water from the area.
The Economic Development Corporation has agreed to provide the city with money to repair the stage at Centennial Park, the pocket park on Main Street between North Third and Fourth Streets. Murray said labor has been donated as well and work will begin soon.
The public works department is continuing ongoing lawn care and maintenance for city property and mowing some additional property that poses a public health threat from rodents and other animals living on the property because of lack of maintenance. The city crew cleaned out the flower beds at the intersection of Main and US 77 for aesthetic reasons and to expose the sprinkler system for repairs.
“The sewer project may tie up the water department for significant lengths of time, now and then,” Murray said. He added he planned to assist them, along with the public works department, “And on occasion, it may be all hands.”
“Larry Burns [head of the water department] has replaced a significant portion of the clay sewer line on S. Third St. and will continue to locate and replace weak points until the sewer project starts.”
In an improvement to the city’s communications equipment, Murray said that people operating heavy equipment now have headphones so they can hear instructions and information from workers on the ground and the city administrator. “It has made a big difference in not only safety but also productivity, as I can now communicate with my men directly.”
In other club business, Janice Ballard, in charge of courtesy and telephone, reported that she had sent cards to ill members and that Karen Koslosky had broken her arm, but it was a clean break and surgery was not necessary. Carol Stock, president, reported that Barbara Springer, an associate member who lives in Rosebud, recently had surgery.
Linda Bernsen presented the RHS Memorial Room with a letterman sweater that belonged to the late Melvin “Cotton” Wright, who graduated from Rosebud High School in 194?. The letter had two stripes and a star, signifying he had lettered two years and had been a team captain.
After adjourning, club members enjoyed a light lunch of chicken salad sandwiches, tiny pecan tarts, a homemade peach cobbler, and madeleines and two-bite brownies. Hostesses for the meeting were Norma Burns, Diane Pagel, and Beth Allen.
Linda Bernsen, right, and Carol Stock, president of the Wednesday Study Club, display a letterman sweater belonging to the late Cotton Wright. Wright graduated in 1943. Two stripes designate that he lettered for two years and the star that he was a team captain. The jacket will be in the RHS Memorial Hall, which the WSC cares for.