Changes coming on use of city gym

    Changes will be coming on use of the Imperial city gym after last week’s city council meeting.
    New agreements for use are being drawn up for consideration at the council’s March 6 meeting, after a long discussion on the topic Feb. 6.
    Also to be addressed is the gym’s leaking roof, the subject of a request for repairs early in the meeting from Alicia Fries, who coordinates practice times there for the youth basketball program.
    Fries said it was similar to raining in one section of the gym earlier this year, with some ceiling material falling down.
    She asked if there were plans for repair.
    “My main concern is we don’t want it to get so bad that you close the gym. It’s needed,” she said.
    Due to the school’s practice schedules, gyms there are not available for youth basketball until after 7 p.m.
    City officials weren’t sure at the meeting if the roof damage was due to hail and will check to see if there’s been an insurance claim submitted.
    Weeks of snow and ice have prevented any work on the roof, said Pat Davison, public works superintendent.
    There is also a noticeable crack, inside and out, on one of the gym walls.
    Council President Doug Gaswick said the city needs to stay on top of it and “as soon as we can get to it.”
    According to the discussion, the city’s engineer, Miller & Associates, will be contacted to come on site to take a look at the gym and give city officials some ideas.
     Later in the meeting, the mayor and council addressed the issue of city gym rules.
    Clerk/Administrator Jo Leyland said, for the most part, the gym is cleaned up better after it’s rented for parties than after use by sports teams, at times. She said there are often water bottles left lying around and items left in the bathrooms.
    She is also concerned that, at times, youths are in the gym without adult supervision. Keys have been given to youths by an adult for them to go in on their own and practice, she said.
    The youth basketball teams are not charged for use of the gym, Leyland said, so there is no form with the rules to fill out and sign, but adults are told youths cannot be in the gym without supervision.
    Council member Jan Elliott said the situation shouldn’t be frustrating to city officials.
    “Obviously, something needs to be changed,” she said.
    Leyland said, for the most part, the gym gets cleaned up after parties, but it’s difficult to know where to draw the line on keeping a deposit.
    In the end, the council directed Leyland to formulate new agreements for the March 6 meeting.
    There will be two agreements—one for those paying rent and one for the non-profits and sports teams who do not.
    Here are the changes:
    Rent—$200 rent for one day; $500 deposit. Before: $100 rent, $200 deposit. All or part of the deposit will be kept if not cleaned up satisfactorily.
    Alcohol—Allowed but must be served by state-licensed vendor. Before: Alcohol allowed, person renting was responsible for legalities.
    Curfew—Midnight. Before: none.
    Adult presence—An adult must be present at all functions and at all times, including any type of practice or sports activities.
    Leyland said the only difference between the two agreements is the charge/deposit for public events. Emphasis will be made on the non-profit/sports team agreement on the required presence of an adult, she said.
Issues with drainage
    Two business owners whose properties are in the 600 block of Broadway (west side) were at the meeting to discuss drainage problems from the alley behind them.
    Both Deaun Carpenter and Heather Johnson said a lot of water has accumulated behind their businesses, draining from the alley. Carpenter provided photos.
    Johnson said she spent 7-8 hours pumping accumulated water from behind her business Feb. 4.
    Carpenter said the city’s continued build-up in the alley has contributed to the problem, forcing water to run east toward her business.     
    “The only place it goes to is in our basements,” she said.
    “I’m just asking for some consideration to drain that water somewhere,” she said.
    She said she’s also talked to Brad Moline at Allo, who told her they have drainage trouble behind their business on the east side of the block.
    Council member Johnny Miller said it’s been an issue for years because it is low back there.
    “We all know it’s been a problem. It needs to be solved,” said Larry Carpenter.
    The city will ask for recommendations for drainage from engineer Miller & Associates, who will look at both alleys on that block.
    In a related issue, the council directed City Attorney Josh Wendell to draw up an addition to city code regarding snow removal by private contractors that will limit piling of  snow only on the right-of-way adjacent to the property from which the snow is removed.
    The city received a complaint that a private individual piled snow on other people’s property, Leyland said.
    Current code says removed snow cannot be placed in the street.
State baseball
    Carl Zuege, director for the state Junior Legion Baseball Tournament to be hosted by Imperial this summer, met with the council about the event July 15-19 at Campbell Field.
    He listed some improvements and upgrades that have been needed at the field, in hopes they could be completed  before baseball games start the end of May.
    “This tournament will bring a lot of people to town,” he said.
    He expects 500-600 people here the first two days, July 15-16, when all eight teams have games.
    Items he listed included two spans of fence from dugouts to outfields, fencing behind the dugouts and backstop, crushed rock for a warning track and minimal sod and dirt work.
    He said it’s come up at past park board meetings about a part-time person in the mornings to help keep the fields picked up in the city’s parks. That would also be a nice addition for 10 weeks, he said.
    They have committees forming, including one for fundraising, and there is interest from a number of businesses already, he noted.
    July 15 is also the date for Smokin’ on Broadway, which Zuege said is “exciting” and something on which they could coordinate.
    The Imperial Baseball/Softball Association will also be involved with the tournament, he said.
    Gaswick said the tournament will have a “huge economic boost” to Imperial and suggested use of city sales tax funds for the upgrades.
    Zuege will bring some costs back to the council for their March meeting.
    In other business, the annual city audit was accepted, the second meeting in February (Feb. 20) was cancelled due to President’s Day, a retreat was set for March 13 at 4 p.m., two Manor purchases were approved and an agreement with attorney Joel Burke at $140 per month for handling enforcement of city codes in court received a 4-0 vote.