Mayer City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Music in the Park Event Update
Park Improvement Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Review
Downtown Banner Replacement
Crosswalk Pole Repair at Old Fire Station
Dollar General Sidewalk Project
Votes (5)
Music in the Park Event Update
Staff provided a comprehensive update on the upcoming Music in the Park event. All vendors, including a new coffee truck 'Brood Awakening', entertainment, and bounce houses are confirmed. The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 26th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Old School House Park. New yard signs are being printed to reflect a time change and will be distributed across key locations and subdivisions for promotion. Board members discussed their availability for the event.
Review Park Improvement Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
The board reviewed the Capital Improvement Plan for 2027 and future years, focusing on projects scoring highly. Updates included the installation of memorial benches in Westridge and Blue J Parks. The primary focus shifted to Discovery Park's trail reconstruction, estimated at $407,000, and the potential for a DNR grant covering 75% up to $250,000. Board members discussed the financial implications, the possibility of city general fund transfers to cover shortfalls, and the necessity of prioritizing Discovery Park due to its severe condition over other projects like rink boards or new park benches. A sidewalk project in Blue J Park for school safety was also suggested as a potential city-funded project, outside the park board's budget.
Downtown Banner Replacement
The board discussed replacing existing downtown banners, which are 12-15 years old and deteriorating. Currently, 17 of 35 decorative poles display banners, with the remainder holding American flags. The conversation explored whether to decorate all 35 poles with staggered designs or maintain the current half-and-half approach. Board members expressed a preference for continuing the current practice, suggesting staff work with Display Sales to modernize and update the existing banner design to better reflect the city's identity.
Crosswalk Pole Repair at Old Fire Station
A board member brought up a resident's concern regarding a broken crosswalk button pole near the old fire station. Staff confirmed that the replacement part had arrived the previous week and that Public Works had scheduled its installation, acknowledging that the process to acquire the part had been "long and arduous."
Dollar General Sidewalk Project
Staff provided an update on the proposed sidewalk project near Dollar General. A successful neighborhood meeting was held with residents, and their feedback is being incorporated into the design plans. A wetland delineation is currently being conducted on the southern portion of the project site. The next steps include Phil Shrep (City Engineer) drafting plans and specifications, followed by another public meeting where residents can review the proposed sidewalk placements and address concerns regarding landscaping, slopes, potential retaining walls, and the replacement of trees that may need to be removed.
Notable Quotes (15)
So, that'll be Saturday, September 26th, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. out at Old School House Park.
because I got I think it was three along Highway 25 roundabout southside at 30 east and then one um in the middle there and then I've got one for by the bank, one for right out here by uh by Old Schoolhouse Park where people come in and out. Then I have one for the entrances to all of the subdivisions.
Discovery Park... trail reconstruction, you look at the that's the total cost that we're looking at here, 407,000.
Under that program, the DNR pays 75% up to 250. Anything like uh then the city's portion is 25. Anything over 250 becomes the city share.
I mean, I think it takes president over rink boards. I think it takes president over park benches. I think I don't know if we necessarily need a sidewalk before we need trails right fixed.
Even though this is within Blue J Park, if if the purpose of this sidewalk is more related to safety crossing at the school, city can pick up the general might not even be in the parkboard budget.
I would say it's the worst out of all the trails.
Uh they were purchased, I don't know, 12, 15 years ago... They're falling apart on us. That's why they're not up right now because we don't have enough to put up.
I like the idea half like Lauren said. Otherwise, it's kind of overwhelming and it's just kind of right. It's all Yeah.
I could modernize and that's what I was saying. Maybe just modernize this, make it up to a date, you know, like somebody did it out of their house, right?
One thing I did forget was by the old fire station where the crosswalk is, that one pole is down for the button. Is that getting taken care of?
Yes, it arrived last week. And so the guys are going to be that's on their schedule to get that. It's been a long and arduous process to get that unfortunately.
We had the community meet, well we had the neighborhood meeting with them. Uh all went pretty well. We gathered all the comments. It was myself, Bo, uh, Mike Dodge, and Phil Shrep, our city engineer.
But the residents weren't too the requests weren't too out of the ordinary or... A little bit of land uh landscaping in some areas. Um making sure slopes uh potential looks at retaining walls just with slopes of things.
A number of trees will come down as part of that... But they would get two 2 and a half inch caliber replacement trees of their choosing.
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
Document outlining planned park improvement projects and their rankings for future years.
Grant program offering 75% funding up to $250,000 for trail projects, considered for Discovery Park.
City project for street improvements, which would include trail refresh in certain areas.
County's plan that includes discussions about a trail alongside Highway 25.
Environmental study being conducted for the Dollar General sidewalk project.