The August 18 Grant Park board meeting was relatively brief but included a lively discussion about bees after Village President Ben Detloff advised the board a resident had inquired if they could raise bees in town.
Detloff wanted to find out the board’s thoughts and conducted a straw poll. The majority of the board members indicated they would not be in favor of beekeeping in a residential area. Trustee Susie Wiedl was not in attendance.
“I know we need bees in the world. They’re declining on us, but having that in a residential setting, I think I would vote no,” Trustee Steve Brower said.
Trustee Dennis Martz agreed with Brower and added a concern that “kids could get stung, and it shouldn’t be in a confined area.”
Martz and Brower weren’t the only anti-bees on the board.
Dillman added to the discussion and noted he felt “it was a problem waiting to happen in a residential setting.”
“Agriculturally, I like bees. I think it’s good if you’ve got a farm and lots of acreage for them to be in. So I guess in town, I just don’t think it’s a good idea,” Trustee Gerry Morgan said.
Trustee Morgan Whorrall gave a firm, “Absolutely not,” and followed it up with an anecdote about her house being a bee’s paradise, which caused problems for pets and kids.
Julie Quinn was the lone bee-liever, affirming that she liked bees.
“I’m a bee person, so I would never say no to a beehive or an apiary or anything like that. I would still say I like bees. But we’re doing something that’s not native to the area or the state,” Quinn added, which seemed to indicate she wouldn’t be in favor of non-native bees.
No vote was taken on the bees, but it didn’t appear the board would approve any changes to allow them in the future based on the straw poll.
In other news, two policies that have taken much of the board’s attention were revised at the August 18 meeting: the fee agreement for developers and the rental agreement for the community center.
The board officially took action to revise the professional fee agreement, approving a resolution implementing a three-tiered fee schedule for a security deposit instead of a set $5,000 deposit, which was discussed at length at the previous meeting.
Additionally, the board approved a new park rental agreement that had been previously discussed in detail.
With regard to standard business, the board approved the payment of village bills totaling $26,579.78. They also held a first reading regarding the 1 percent grocery tax.
Clerk Scott Dillman informed the board the Historical Society had requested they announce they have two vacancies on their board and are seeking two residents to fill the seats.
A brief discussion transpired regarding removing the furniture and antiques contained in the Pepin property, which is being sold. The goal is to get the items out of the house as quickly as possible, and the historical society was also invited to review the furniture from the Pepin property once it is removed.
Trustee Steve Brower mentioned the Grant Park Festivals would like to donate $2,000 toward the mural discussed at the last meeting. The board discussed the mural, which is anticipated to cost about $5,500. Preliminary drafts of the mural include a steam engine, Ulysses S. Grant, a grain elevator, corn, and other imagery. The board approved the donation.
The board also discussed the upcoming Fall Fest, which will take place on the weekend of September 6 and 7. They are still in need of about four or five volunteers for the fest. Fest organizers welcome volunteers who can help out for any amount of time, whether it’s an hour or four and, of course, anyone willing to stay the whole day. They welcome anyone able and willing to volunteer any amount of time, even if they show up that day.
Detloff informed the board he received an anonymous letter detailing concerns at several addresses that warrant police review. Detloff advised he would turn over the letter to Police Chief Carl Frey.
On a similar note, the village has had issues with code enforcement within the village, Detloff reported. Detloff noted there was a lot on a property where construction was moving forward on a building with no permit, and they sent the police to stop work. He extended his appreciation to building inspector Chris Karstensen, noting it has made an improvement.
The individual doing the work ended up getting the permit and incurred fines for several code violations and for doing unpermitted work, which included brickwork, siding, roofing, and interior work.
Detloff wanted to remind everyone to review the code online or call the village if they’re not sure whether a permit is needed.
After the discussion at the last meeting regarding the possibility of duplexes on Butler Avenue, Detloff advised that while no zoning changes will be made for duplexes, the builder can pursue building single-family homes, as that is what it is zoned.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.