Here is a rundown of notable approvals from Monday night’s meetings. As a note, all approved motions must seek final passing through next week’s common council.

City Seeks to Purchase New Plow Truck

City officials sent through a proposal to purchase a new, and smaller plow truck for next winter’s needs. The city will look to purchase the vehicle, a 2019 Ford F-550 (equipped) from Scaffifi Motors Inc. in the amount not to exceed $67,500.00.

“We are proposing one smaller plow vehicle to address this issue, and will create a dedicated route of alleys and cul-de-sacs for this unit. We expect it will replace one larger, more expensive plow in our fleet.”

City gives nod to voluntary rental inspection program

Public Protection members approved a motion to create a voluntary rental inspection program. According to city documents:  “This would also offer students and other persons in the residential rental market a level of confidence when considering rental properties to lease. Currently, there is no governmental level of oversight unless a complaint is filed from a tenant.”

If adopted, the program would start June 1, with a couple of local area landlords interested in a trial run of the program. Staff from the community development department would be involved in these inspections. Landlords would pay the city for these voluntary inspections as follows:

One unit: $75 trip charge plus $50 per unit = $125
One unit preself-inspected and no violations: $75 trip charge plus $50 per unit -$25 = $100
Two units: $75 trip charge plus $50 x 2 units = $175
Two units preself-inspected and no violations: $75 trip charge plus $100 for 2 units -$50 credit = $125 Two units preself-inspected and one unit with no violations and one unit with violations: $75 trip charge plus $50 for non-complying unit, and $50 for complying unit – $25 compliance credit = $150

City Approves Fines for Social Host, Sexting, and Prostitution Violations

Public protection officials voted to raise the fines for sexting, and prostitution violations in the city. Provisions were made to Section 24.27 of the Revised Municipal Code, where the increases are noted as follows:

-24.53 Social Host First Offense Within One Year – 300.00 Second Offense Within One Year – 500.00 Third Offense Within One Year – 750.00

-24.54 Sexting First Offense Within One Year – 100.00 Second Offense Within One Year – 200.00

-24.55 Prostitution – Prohibited – 1,500.00