Jeremy Ratliff
Reporter
The Merrill Common Council Tuesday night unanimously approved a site plan for a multi-purpose building at the Merrill Festival Grounds.
Following a motion to approve, 2nd District Alderman Pete Lokemoen spoke in an effort to clarify what the approval actually entails.
“This doesn’t mean we are building a multi-purpose building or even approving a building,” he said. “But if a building were to be built, this is the site we are approving it for.”
Also Tuesday, the council approved a recommendation from the Redevelopment Authority, to approve a bid from C&D Excavating for the abatement and demolition of the former Page Milk property in the amount of $80,000 for abatement and $171,000 for demolition.
City Administrator Dave Johnson indicated Tuesday evening that abatement must be done before demolition can begin, and will consist of asbestos and lead paint removal, as well as a heavy amount of pigeon droppings on the property.
“This project will be paid for by the idle sites grant we were approved for last year,” Mayor Bill Bialecki added.
The amount of that grant was for $417,350.
In other matters, the council approved renewal of the recycling contract with Eagle Recycling at no additional cost to the city. The council also approved the withdrawal from the Local Property Insurance Fund, in favor of joining the Wisconsin League of Municipalities. According to Finance Director Kathy Unertl, the change comes on the heels of the LPIF raising their rates by 50%.