Nevis school superintendent Steve Rassier and board member Marv Vredenburg fielded questions on the proposed $3.5 million school completion project from the Nevis Council this week, the mayor's comments taking an oppositional tone.
"I'm hearing our two neighboring districts are going down in numbers," mayor Ray Melander said of declining enrollment. "Does it help communities overall to pull students from other districts?" he asked, referring to open enrollment.
"Open enrollment is keeping the Nevis district alive," Vredenburg said, "fiscally sound." He noted as the resident population increases, as is projected in the next 25 years, the district will take in fewer open enrolled students.
Currently, Nevis School is home to 520 students, 240 arriving through open enrollment. "We are the school of choice," Rassier said.
"The taxpayers of Nevis are paying for that success," Melander told him.
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Shifting to another topic, Melander told Rassier, the school has "ignored" the issue of storm water runoff from the building.
"The city has had to deal with it," Melander said. "Now you're talking about adding to it. Nowhere can you build a facility of this size without a plan for storm water runoff.
"The street becomes a little Belle Taine every time it rains," he said. "Now you are proposing to add 30 percent surface area."
Rassier stated this was the first he'd heard of the problem and agreed to consult the architect on the matter.
Melander suggested a consortium of local government agencies form to address issues of this nature.
"The school is the center point of the community," Rassier reminded the council in asking for a resolution supporting the bond issue.
The PTA will have on-line tax calculations available for those wanting to know the tax impact of the school completion project, Rassier said.
In other action, the council:
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- Was smiling, after learning city expenses remained constant, but revenue increased by $11,000.
Accountant Susan Ostlund reported liquor store profit transfers of $83,624 were up $9,000 from 2004. Proprietary funds - including water, sewer, general and liquor - increased $65,000 overall.
- Approved a 4 percent annual raise for city employees.
- Authorized purchase of a new vehicle for police chief Craig Kritzeck at an approximate cost of $31,000 with equipment, including an on-board camera.
n Reported liquor store earnings of $9,619 through February.
- Approved a recommendation by the Planning Commission to deny rezoning of commercial property on Highway 34 to residential.
The parcel is surrounded by residential, Hubbard County land commissioner Robert Hoffman stated, in making the request.
The Planning Commission indicated the property would best serve the community as a commercial site.
- Approved the retirement of Marv Vredenburg from the Nevis Fire Department.
