A snowmobile route through the city was proposed Monday, Sept. 29, during a committee meeting.
The route was presented to the Improvements & Services Committee by Tom Squires of the Winter Wolves Snowmobile Club.
The proposed route will allow snowmobilers to travel between the northeast side to the southwest side of the city of Manawa.
Squires requested that the route be approved for a three-year period, at which time it will be reviewed by the city.
The committee agreed to recommend the proposed three-year route to the Manawa Common Council on Monday, Oct. 20.
The route, as presented by Squires, will begin on the east side of the city about a quarter mile from the city limits on Garrity Road. It will pass southwest through private property to the Manawa School District property to Beech Street, cross Beech Street and pass southwest through the school property to the northeast corner of Sturm’s property.
It will proceed to South Bridge Street, cross to the southwest corner of Sturm’s field through to the Dan Boerst property. The route will cross State Highway 110-22 at Smith’s Manawa Steak House to Roberts Street.
It will then proceed to the Rodeo Grounds and meet County Road B at the Little Wolf River Bridge.
According to Squires, the club has a permit from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation that allows the trail to cross the state highway and the railroad tracks by the Steak House.
Alderman Mike Frazier reminded the committee that last year there had been concern about snowmobiles speeding on Roberts Street.
Squires promised that speed limit signs will be posted on Roberts Streets.
The committee discussed the status of the railroad tracks and how their removal could provide a better snowmobile route in the future.
The committee also reviewed a request from Sturm Foods to not allow parking on Industrial Lane.
According to City Clerk Cheryl Hass, Sturm Foods has problems with company employees parking on Industrial Lane instead of in their parking lot.
Hass said that other areas have requested ‘no parking’ signs and she noted that Industrial Lane is a main road and not a residential district.
The committee suggested that Sturm Foods could require their employees to park in the parking lot and not on the street.
“It is not a city issue,” said Mayor John Smith.
Frank Jaeger, director of public works, presented a request to purchase a backhoe. He explained that the city usually trades in its backhoe every five or six years; the current backhoe was purchased seven years ago.
“I would like to have it for this winter,” Jaeger said.
He noted that the money for the backhoe is available in the DPW vehicle replacement fund.
The committee requested that Jaeger check out prices before the purchase is approved.
Jaeger also requested the committee’s approval to purchase a tar kettle, a steamer, a black top roller and other equipment. Hass suggested that these purchases should depend on how much money remains in the DPW budget at the end of the year.
Jaeger also reminded the committee that the city garage is “very overcrowded” and more space is needed.
The committee discussed options and costs to provide more storage space for the city’s equipment.