Skull DNA results are in

“The skull is not Wanda Krumwiede’s,” stated Lyons Police Chief Jim Buck. Several months ago, a skull was discovered by a Lyons businessman behind his shop and turned over to the Lyons Police Department, who then transported it to a location in Texas for testing. “The DNA was put into a data bank and there weren’t any hits on it,” Buck said.

From the DNA, some conclusions were drawn. “It is a white European female, around the age of 50,” Buck stated.

It is unclear how long the skull had been in the ground prior to its’ finding. Lyons City Council member Charlie Wheaton inquired about the next step regarding the skull. “We have to go get it, then it goes into the evidence room,” Buck said.

Jim Buck also reported on a city health board nuisance violation. A location in Lyons has several rabbits, causing a strong smell in the area, along with an abundance of flies. The residents will be notified by mail of the conditions they must meet, according to the veterinarian. “He said they have to control the flies and the offensive smell,” Buck stated. At this time, it is a nuisance violation, not an abusive violation.

In other business:

Kevin Prior from Olsson and Associates attended the city council meeting to address the pool bids and possibly approve a bid for construction of the new pool. “We had a good number of contractors that placed bids,” Prior said. He recommended awarding Eriksen Construction out of Blair the pool construction based on their bid. “The bottom line is they had the low bid at $1,696,500. The bids were all competitive. I was pleased to see their bid. It gives us breathing room if we need to change orders,” Prior stated.

The Lyons Mayor, Andy Fuston stated that he was also pleased with the bid and asked for a motion to accept the bid, council member Roger Andersen made the motion, council president Allen Steinmeyer seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously passed.

A preconstruction conference will be scheduled in the near future with inventory, etc. being done by the city crew.

Chad Kehrt of Olsson and Associates appeared at the meeting to discuss the Lyons Community Center. Phase one consists of doing the ceiling, walls, entry way, new flooring and electrical work. Phase two may be done at a later time, or during phase one if money permits.

Tracy Thorne of WAPA discussed amending the contract for electricity for the city to a fixed amount of energy, replacing the variable amount now in place.

The council approved the Nelson Construction Application for payment number five, the final payment, in the amount of $27,508.36 for the work they did on the JC and Gerdes Buildings.

Library Director Mike Heavrin gave the library report. “There will be a children’s author at the library Tuesday during story time,” Heavrin said.

Utilities Supervisor Ron Daberkow gave the utilities report. It was decided there will be free swimming at the pool, Fri., August 9^th for the entire day. This is the last year for the 80-year-old pool, with construction beginning on the new pool next week.

The clerk’s report was given. The council also decided the next council meeting will be Tues., Sept. 10^th at 5:30 p.m. instead of Sept. 3^rd, allowing more time for Lyons City Clerk Mary Lou Ritter to work on the budget. A budget workshop meeting will also be sometime the end of August, depending on members’ schedules.

A liquor license was approved for the Fallout Bar and the Branding Iron. The council also approved a building permit from Joe Svendsen for a garage and entryway at 410 Custer St.