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Camera ordinance requested
During the community input portion of the Jasper City Council’s Aug. 12 meeting, Brian Persing asked the Council if it would add an ordinance regarding security cameras and invasion of privacy. Persing had submitted a letter to the Council prior to the meeting requesting the prohibition of surveillance cameras that are aimed at neighboring homes, specifically at the windows, doors, backyards or other areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. Mayor Kim Lape said she read the letter and that the matter would have to be discussed with the city attorney and would be considered by the Council at a later time.
Fall cleanup day scheduled
A fall cleanup day has been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items must be brought to the city shop on South Spicer Avenue. Each resident is allowed to bring about three cubic yards, or one level pickup bed full, at no charge. Charges apply for larger loads, and for items including mattresses, electronics and appliances. Hazardous materials including batteries, paint, stain, thinner, gas, oil, grease, insecticides, pesticides and construction materials, and commercial items, cement and normal household garbage are not accepted.
2026 budget process begins
City Council members approved a preliminary 2026 levy of $284,020.10, which would be a 15 percent increase over this year’s levy. They approved the preliminary amount without discussing the budget and scheduled a special budget meeting for Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Cities must approve a preliminary levy amount by the end of September. They can then reduce that amount, but cannot increase it, when they approve the final levy, which must be done by the end of December.
Eagle Scout projects planned
The City Council approved requests from Lucas Williamson and Maximo Williamson, who are part of a Scout troop in Dell Rapids, to build Eagle Scout projects at the city’s parks. Lucas plans to build two bat houses that will be placed in Marilyn DeBates Park and Maximo plans to build a little free library that will be filled with books and placed at the Jasper City Park. Eagle Scout is the highest rank in Scouts and a service project is one of the requirements.
Accessible parking requested
Angelica Rieck, owner of The Gathering Table, followed up on a previous request about creating handicapped parking near the cafe. Public Works Superintendent Brian Thode said he planned to discuss adding a concrete ramp up to the sidewalk near the cafe with SKD Construction when the company installs a new approach at the Jasper Emergency Services Building. That work is expected to take place in the next couple weeks.
Meeting time changed back to 7 p.m.
The Council voted to change its regular meeting time back to 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month. In July, it had changed the meeting time to 5 p.m. Councilor Stacie Smith said the 5 p.m. start made it inconvenient for residents to attend and City Clerk/Treasurer Trinidad Garcia said a city ordinance indicates that regular council meetings will begin at 7 p.m.
Public hearing scheduled
A public hearing was scheduled for the City Council’s Sept. 9 meeting at 7:30 p.m. to discuss off-sale liquor on holidays. City code does not allow liquor sales on July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s Day. State law does not allow for off-sale on Thanksgiving or Christmas. Interest has been expressed in allowing liquor sales on holidays including the Fourth of July.