WHITEHALL — The Whitehall city council tabled a resolution regarding the purchase of a snowblower during its regular meeting Tuesday, with city manager Dan Tavernier stating he wants to look into the purchase further before bringing it to the council for a vote.
The resolution was for a $50,002 purchase of a Ventrac sidewalk snowblower. Mayor Steven Salter shared that after speaking with the Department of Public Works, it was in favor of the purchase as the machine would be "a big improvement" over the city's current equipment.
However, council member Scott Brown wanted to obtain more specifics about the snowblower, saying the current one was too wide, which caused issues. Tavernier said the quoted snowblower's wheel base was 45 inches, compared with the 48-inch width Brown said caused issues with city sidewalks. Fellow council member Jeff Holmstrom said the snowblower had dozens of potential attachments, enabling it to be put to other uses besides snowblowing. However, given the number of questions the council had, Tavernier agreed he wanted to get more details about the purchase before an approval was made.
There was some discussion regarding a request from this summer's Monday night FAN Club to repeat the closures of the North Mears Promenade each Monday night from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It was ultimately approved 6-1, with Brown sharing his standing objection to public property being closed for private events.
Council members Tom Ziemer and Tanya Cabala, Tavernier and public commenters discussed issues with Americans with Disabilities Act compliance at the FAN Club shows, saying in the past tables have been moved around during the event in such a way that they do not have the minimum three feet of space for those with wheelchairs to maneuver through.
Cabala said the city should check with the owners of Fetch Brewery to ensure ADA compliance next summer. She also shared that she attended most of this summer's shows and enjoyed herself, praising local musician Tommy Foster for his showmanship. Foster showed off that showmanship himself during the public comment period, playing a short song he wrote to thank the city for accommodating the FAN Club events.
