During its June 16 city council meeting, the Cuba Board of Alderman voted to approve multiple bills and bids.

The board began by approving Christy Mathews, CPA with Busch, Mathews, & Associates, CPA to work with Cuba comptroller, Jennifer Basham to help establish financial policies and to assist and work with the Municipal Advisor. 

Mayor Pitts Lesesne stated that Mathews offered her services pro bono and said that these services are time consuming and it will allow Basham to continue to keep up with the day to day work. He added that Basham and Mathews have spoken and believe it will be a good working collaboration moving forward.

Mathews, a Cuba High School alumni, will not have access to the computer system, which Basham will still have control over.

A motion was made by Joyce Hartzel and seconded by Raineri to approve the pro bono services for Mathews, which was approved in a 6-0 vote. Lesesne concluded the conversation by stating that a contract is needed and will be presented at the next council meeting.

Pickleball court projects

Public Works supervisor Michael Montgomery presented two bids from companies that would provide pavilion sun shading for the Chymiak Family Foundation Pickleball Complex pickleball courts.

The All Inclusive Rec, LLC provided a bid for one 24x12 shade that would cost $8,107.48. Barco Products, LLC’s bid was for two 12x12 shades that cost $10,258.00. The board agreed that they would want to have two shades.

“I think it would be better to have two 12x12 shades in case one gets damaged,” Hartzell said.

A motion by Louis Raineri to accept the bid from Barco for two 12x12 shades from Barco Products LLC, and  seconded by Ray Mortimeyer, was approved in a 6-0 vote.

After receiving two bids to create a sign for the Chymiak Family Foundation Pickleball Complex, the board decided that they still wanted to see other options and voted 6-0 to continue to advertise for sign bids for the next two weeks.

The pickleball court talk was then capped with a discussion of the landscape at the entrance. Lesesne stated that it was recommended to install 2-inch rock to the entrance of the pickleball courts. The installation would be made by the Cuba Public Works Department. A motion was made by Hartzell, seconded by Russell Crocker and voted 6-0 to approve the installation of the 2-inch rock to the entrance of the pickleball courts by the Cuba Public Works Department.   

Other bids

Two bids were then presented to the board for underground primary wire. Wesco/Anixter gave a $10,454.00 quote and Fletcher-Reinhardt Co. quoted the board $10,831.06. Cuba electric department supervisor Andy Simpson wasn’t in attendance but advised the board to pursue the Wesco/Anixter bid. The board voted 6-0 to approve the underground primary wire bid from Wesco/Anixter for $10,454.00.

The board received two bids from Lauber Municipal Law and Williams Robinson Wiggins that would provide an attorney and legal representation to the board. After some discussion, a motion by Mortimeyer, seconded by Raineri, was made to approve the bid from Williams Robinson Wiggins for legal services.

501c3 agreement with Cuba Police Department

The board voted 6-0 to approve a 501c3 agreement with the Cuba Police Department. 501c3 status states that an organization is recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt non-profit organization.

Cuba City Clerk Lainie Garbo said that this would be an agency partnership like the prior ones set up. Cuba Police Chief Doug Shelton stated that the funds would be used for children’s events. Hartzell asked if the funds could be used for anything else and Basham stated the agency is very specific on the use of funds and that the invoices have to be specific.

A motion was made by Jeff Bouse, and seconded by Mortimeyer, to approve moving forward with a 501c3 agency partnership for the Police Department.

Other Cuba PD news

Shelton informed the board about the results of the Department of Agriculture’s Animal Control investigative report into the Cuba Animal Shelter.

Shelton stated that the final investigative report found the animal shelter to be going well and running fine with some minor things to change. The board read the report and agreed all was good. Shelton stated that if there were any questions, reach out to shelter manager, Missy Mullally.

Shelton then presented the council with an agreement with the Crawford County R-II School District for the SRO (School Resource Officer) paying $3,833.33 a month. It was stated that this amount will not fully fund an officer but will assist keeping two in the schools.

SRO officer, Sgt. Kevin Ziegler just concluded his first year as Cuba High School’s SRO and will return after receiving rave reviews from the school board, students and community members.

A motion was made by Raineri and seconded by Hartzell to approve the SRO agreement for $3,833.33 per month with the Crawford County R-II School District.