Granger sworn in to fill council vacancy

By Mike Van Sickle
Union editor

West Union native Cameron Granger was appointed to serve the city’s second ward during Monday’s regular West Union City Council meeting. The seat has been vacant since the resignation of former councilman Josh Blietz in December 2012.

Granger’s appointment was made after the City missed the deadline to file for an election in March. The newly appointed councilman will fill the vacancy until the Nov. 5 election.

Mayor Kent Halverson informed those in attendance Monday that in contacts with the Secretary of State’s Office, the City could make the appointment to fill the vacancy.  

A 1987 graduate of North Fayette and West Union Troop 54 Eagle Scout, Cameron is owner of Granger Construction. His wife, Jodi, owns and operates Signs by Design.

Later, the council approved a 28E agreement with Fayette County regarding the Civic Plaza in downtown West Union.

As previously reported in The Union, the Fayette County Supervisors approved a 28E agreement during its Monday, March 18, board meeting.  

Under the agreement, the City of West Union will be responsible for all maintenance, repairs, and cleanup of the plaza area.

The City is also solely responsible for the plaza’s insurance. While providing the property and casualty insurance, the City will name Fayette County as an additional insurer and provide proof of insurance to Fayette County on an annual basis.

An additional provision of the 28E is that no separate entity or organization will be created by the agreement. 

The lease is for $1 per year for 50 years. With the Supervisors’ previous consent, the City intends to pay Fayette County $50 up front.

In other business, the City Council:

• Scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. Monday, April15, for the solicitation of bids for the lease of cropland located at the West Union Municipal Airport.

• Discussed the potential for collecting franchise fees during future franchise agreement negotiations with Blacks Hills Energy and Alliant Energy. The council agreed to invite representatives from the two companies to a future council meeting for further discussion on franchise fees.

• Requested that Streets Superintendent Rory Starks examine the condition/safety of Alliant and CenturyLink poles within the community and report the results back to the council.

• Was updated on the Kaleidoscope Kids Childcare Center Capital Project (see page B-2) and Healthy Communities Food and Fitness Initiative.

• Approved an approximate $335 invoice from Upper Explorerland for CDBG grant administration.