Skip to content
You are here: Home Area News Archive
Cyrus Adopts Wellhead Rule
Pope County Tribune - Starbuck Times
Written by Valerie Schmidt   
Thursday, 17 July 2008 13:04


Probably one of the big reasons for the plan is to identify unused wells. Howe told council members that unused wells pose a hazard as the casing continues to deteriorate and allow contamination to enter the aquifer.

“We want people to be aware of land use management,” Howe stated. “If there is a spill out there we want to know that it’s not creating contamination for a well out there.”

The next step is developing a work plan for implementation. The program was federally started in 1996 and all municipalities will be required to develop a plan and how it will be implemented.

A motion was then made to adopt the well head protection plan and also the council passed a motion to authorize either the clerk, Julie Rutter or Allan Rutter to submit the plan to the Minnesota Department of Public Health.

Following the motion to adjourn the public hearing, council members proceeded to regular council business. Among those items on the agenda were discussion of a bike track, consideration of a traveling sign purchase for the city, and discussion on complaints on dog issues.

Bradley Mix, Bret Ingebritson, and Blake Steinkraus met with the council to discuss the development of a bike track. The young men had done their homework well and presented a workable plan and rules and regulations which would be implemented once the bike track is open.

The next question is where to locate the track? And what will be the cost of the land? The young men indicated they were willing to contribute labor towards the development of the contract. Another question surfacing during the discussion was the liability issue once the track is used.

Councilman Lee Kruzemark said the boys had done their homework and felt now they as council members need to pursue the issue further. Several land locations were discussed and council members will pursue these areas in obtaining costs of land purchase. Clerk Rutter said she would contact the Minnesota League of Cities for information as well as go on the internet to find out what other cities are doing regarding bike tracks.

Lee Kruzemark updated the council on the traveling sign purchase. At this point he felt the Community Club could contribute $5,000 toward the purchase which is about 1/3 the cost, and does not include the electrical which will need to be done.

After some consideration it was felt the sign would benefit the community and a motion was made to purchase the sign with the city participating 50% and the  Community Club participating 50%, even if the Community Club needed to take a year or two to reimburse the city. That motion passed. The next thing is to get the sign ordered and determine a location for it.

The Pope County Humane Society had received several complaints from Cyrus residents regarding the conditions of puppies on the east end of town. While the residence is not in city limits, the city felt there were likely reasons why their residents were complaining and felt the matter should be looked into. However, the Humane Society would need to contact the local sheriff if it was felt an investigation was warranted and possibly the cooperation of  New Prairie township.



In other business:

-Authorized the purchase of 100 gallons of gas for the local maintenance personnel since the service station is no longer open with the gas being stored at the Lilienthal residence in gas storage tanks. There was also discussion of rent to be paid for use of the storage tanks to Lilienthal. A lock will be purchased with keys going only to those individuals authorized.

-Authorized a building permit for a 10’ x 12’ storage building for Donald and Patty Humphrey providing all zoning requirements are met.

-Appointed election judges for the primary and general elections.

-Made a motion to leave mileage reimbursement at 50.5¢ a mile. The new rate starting July 1, 2008, is 58.5¢ a mile.