City Clerk Lainie Garbo said on Sept. 15 that the natural gas system requires a drug and alcohol program. Upon undergoing an audit, the system was found to require plan amendments, probable areas of violations were identified, and it was recommended to use a third-party drug and alcohol system.

Garbo explained the Utility Safety and Design, Inc. (USDI) drug and alcohol testing program that was up for approval.

“They basically do everything for you. They keep up with your policies, your procedures. They do your auditing for you because we submit everything to them,” Garbo said. “They approve your drug and alcohol plan with all updates, and they adhere to the changes. They provide supervisor training, employee breakroom postings, approved collection sites, assistance support for future drug and alcohol audits, annual MIS (Management Information System) reports with assistance in the damage reporting, clearing house management for all regulated employees. They will do everything for us.”

This program will be for all city employees, not just those working in utility positions. The city will pay $175 per test, but there is no yearly fee.

Staff Accountant and Bookkeeper Jennifer Basham recommended that the board approve going with the USDI program because the city cannot afford another bad audit because of the resulting fines and fees.

A motion to accept the program that is through USDI was approved by a 5-0 vote.

Fort Good Shepherd Ranch Director James Fields and Assistant Aftercare Director Joyce Fields requested a ribbon-cutting for the new house opening on the ranch.

Fort Good Shepherd Ranch is part of the Mission Gate Prison Ministry. This ranch in particular is a nine-month aftercare program that takes in those in addiction recovery or coming out of prison, teaches them necessary life skills and helps them reestablish their lives.

After drastic flooding in November 2024, they lost 16 cabins, four of which had to be completely torn down.

The men’s facility currently holds 50 men, and the new addition allows the program to serve 19 more. It was a $500,000 expense that was completely covered through donor funding.

Mayor Pitts Lesesne wasn’t present at the meeting and the aldermen wanted to make sure that he was included in the discussion before any decisions were made. No action was taken.

Continuing the discussion on the Cuba War Memorial memorandum of understanding from the Sept. 1 meeting, Resident Tara Brewer was present on behalf of the Mullen Family Memorial committee.

She said that the Crawford County Foundation has added a form on its website for those who want to apply to have a name added to the memorial. There is also a link for those who want to donate to the Cuba War Memorial fund, which are tax deductible donations.

A motion to accept the memorandum of understanding was approved by a 5-0 vote.

A motion to accept Bill No. 2240, which is an ordinance to authorize the mayor to enter into and execute a memorandum of understanding with the Crawford County Foundation and the Mullen Family Memorial Committee for the upkeep, monitoring, maintenance and community communication regarding the Cuba War Memorial, was approved by a 5-0 vote and became General Ordinance 978.

Resident Cyndi Mercer to remind the board of a road closure on Oct. 3 due to Witches Night on Route 66.

The event is from 3-10 p.m. on Smith Street from the corner of School Street to Route 66; however, the road will be closed from noon to midnight due to event setup and take down.

There will be vendors, crafts, food trucks, alcohol for purchase (ID required), music and costume prizes. Entrance is free for all ages, but bring both cash and card if purchasing from food trucks or vendors, as not all vendors have a card machine.

The board held a public hearing to discuss Koch Rental Properties’ rezoning request for lot 3 of Candlewycke Subdivision from residential (R1) to multi-family (R2).

Koch Rental Properties is planning on having two quadplexes built, each unit with two bedrooms, one bath and two parking spots

A motion to accept the rezoning request was approved by a 5-0 vote.

At the recommendation of the Cuba Parks and Recreation Board, a motion to accept the Chamber of Commerce’s use of Hood Park for Halloween at the Hood upon presenting proof of event insurance was approved by a 5-0 vote.

In other business, Bill No. 2238, which repeals Ordinance No. 300 that requires an assistant city marshal from the Cuba City Code, became General Ordinance 1255 after approval by a 5-0 vote.

Bill No. 2239 became Special Ordinance 977, which authorizes the mayor to award the bid and enter into an agreement to construct a T-Hangar building with CSE Enterprises, LLC, by a 5-0 vote.