The Silver Lake Town Council decided to reopen the bidding process for the demolition of 3189 W. Kermit St. at their meeting Tuesday night.
Previously the bid process was opened in November and the bid was awarded to Shankster Brothers. Later the council was informed that the procedure in which they opened the bids was incorrect. The bids were supposed to be sealed bids, therefore the bidding process must be reopened and bids will be presented and opened at the a Feb. 14 meeting.
The council and the town of Silver Lake welcomed Phil Shalley to the council and Tonya Conley to the clerk's office. This was both members first meeting, although Shalley had previously been on council.
With Linda Baker replaced on council they needed to elect a new president. Shalley nominated Chad Miner and Gale Owens seconded. Miner was elected unanimously.
Rick Elliott from the Silver Lake Business Council took a few minutes to update the council and the town on the status of the group.
“We kicked off late last year,” Elliott said. “We are working with KEDCO and the Chamber of Commerce to affect a positive change. Change is inevitable and if we do nothing then it could be bad. We are using this as a way to steer that change in a positive way.”
The business council is looking at sites north of Silver Lake and working with the state to see if there is any interest from outside business to relocation north of Silver Lake.
Jeff Smith of the Meth Awareness Partnership was invited to speak about bringing the meth watch back to Silver Lake. Smith gave tips on what to look for in your neighborhood and how to educate the town citizens.
“One thing you should do is watch the activity in your neighborhood,” Smith said. “If there are people coming in and out of a house frequently that you do not know that is a sign that there could be illegal activity.”
Smith also spoke about how to spot meth trash and how to smell the manufacturing of meth.
“Some meth has an ether smell and some smells like cat urine,” Smith said. “Look for precursors. If your neighbor has a bunch of Coleman camp fuel bottles in the trash or a pile of 20 ounce bottles with hoses sticking out of them, those are both signs that meth is being made.”
There will be a neighborhood watch meeting at the Silver Lake Town Hall, the date will be announced at the next meeting on Feb. 14. In addition there will be Meth Awareness meeting at the Silver Lake Lion's Club on May 15.
During reports from department heads Silver Lake Town Marshal Craig Hollopeter informed the board that on Feb. 10 there will be a Kids and Cops Night at the Claypool School from 6 to 8 p.m. for those children between the ages of 6 and 16.
The Street Superintendent Jasun Blocher formally asked the council for permission to purchase two Water and sewage pumps at a cot of $6,200 to replace the two older pumps. Blocher also asked for permission to have the two pumps that are currently being used at the lift station to be rebuilt in case of emergency. The council unanimously agreed.
