Crystal City Council Talks Annexation Fight, Park Parking, Fireworks, and Public Works Projects

The June 22 meeting mixed routine approvals with bigger questions over HB 2818, traffic around Hickey White Park, and Fourth of July safety.

By The Jefferson Review

The Crystal City Council moved through a wide-ranging agenda Monday night, approving routine licenses and ordinances while also spending time on bigger issues facing the city, including state annexation legislation, road and stormwater work, holiday fireworks, and parking around Hickey White Park.

Mayor Mike Osher called the June 22 regular meeting to order with most of the council present. Councilmembers Kenneth Bradley, Jeff Kempfer, Jack Ginnever, Karry Friedmeyer, John Bailey, John Winkelman, and Taylor Massa were present. Councilman Rick Fischer was absent.

Before moving into regular business, the council amended the agenda to add a recognition for longtime city volunteer Dave Crump. Osher presented Crump with a crystal recognition from the city, thanking him for his “loyalty, leadership, and commitment to public service.” Crump served for 30 years on Crystal City’s Police Personnel Board, part of a long record of public service to the city and the broader community.

The council then approved the minutes and closed-session minutes from May 18. No one had signed up for the first public comment period.

During the financial portion of the meeting, city officials noted that use tax revenue was running behind last year, though other funds were ahead. A question was raised about a roughly $64,000 payment to Core & Main, which officials said was related to water pipe, meters, and valve equipment. The check register, bills, and financial reports were approved.

City Administrator Jason Eisenbeis praised city crews during department reports, saying public works employees have been visible throughout town on a variety of projects. He said a resident recently stopped in to say that “no matter where” they drove in Crystal City, public works employees were out working.

The council also heard updates related to the municipal pool. Councilman Jack Ginnever reported that the pool has seen more visitors since Oak Valley Pool closed, and officials discussed furniture and equipment that came from Oak Valley. Some items were donated, while the city also purchased additional pieces that would otherwise have been left behind or discarded.

Under new business, the council approved the renewal of a fireworks stand license for Hale Fireworks. The amended agenda also included liquor license approvals for Neighborhood Grocery, Casa Charro, and Quantic Corporation.

Several bills were then read and approved on first and second readings. One ordinance dealt with limiting the number of certain licenses or permits to five and removing language that allowed the city to do commercial activity in that area. Another item involved work where Councilman John Winkelman abstained because the company was connected to a family member. Council members also asked questions about concrete and curb work around a cul-de-sac.

A separate bill involved chlorine-related work. Officials said city crews had done many repairs themselves over time, but the project had reached the point where outside work was needed. One official noted that a bid two years ago had been about $36,000 and said the city had been trying to find a company to take on the work.

The council also approved a resolution connected to the city’s retirement system. Officials explained that because Crystal City now has eight full-time firefighter positions, the city needed to add firefighters into the retirement system. The discussion included the required 45-day notice period and the resolution process for changing or adding departments to the city’s retirement plan.

One of the longer discussions of the night came during the city administrator’s report, when council members asked about an upcoming widening and storm piping project. Officials said the work was expected to begin around July 1, though that start could be pushed back a week or two. The work may reduce traffic to fewer lanes at times, with crews expected to work on both shoulders.

Officials said the project will replace existing storm piping, including some old corrugated metal pipes that have collapsed or deteriorated. The city had explored larger or more extensive improvements, but officials said utility conflicts and costs made that difficult. One option discussed would have cost about $1.7 million, which the city did not move forward with.

HB 2818 also drew discussion. Ginnever asked about the bill and what options remained for cities concerned about its annexation language. City officials said the bill would change how Jefferson County municipalities handle annexation and could limit cities to annexing certain areas only once every two years.

Officials said Jefferson County mayors and administrators had met with the governor’s staff about the bill. They said the legislation was connected to a St. Joseph airport issue, but Jefferson County-specific annexation language had been added late in the process. Osher said he opposed the bill because he believes it could limit property owners who voluntarily want to come into the city.

“If I annex a piece of property in and their neighbor sees it and says, ‘Man, that’s great,’ I’m like, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you,’” Osher said during the discussion. “I don’t like that.”

Officials said litigation may be the only remaining path if the Jefferson County language stays in the bill. They also credited Jefferson County Executive Dennis Gannon for helping arrange the meeting with the governor’s staff, even though they said the county and cities may not always see annexation the same way.

During the mayor’s report, Osher thanked street, fire, and police employees for helping clean up around the football stadium. He said Crystal City’s departments continue to step up when needed and that the community is looking better because of that work. The council also approved board appointments.

Public comment later turned to safety concerns. One resident said kids have been riding dirt bikes in the park and raised concerns about speeding near Williamsburg. Osher said dirt bikes and motorized vehicles are not allowed in city parks or on city streets where prohibited, and that police enforce those rules when they see violations.

Another resident asked about Fourth of July fireworks, saying some fireworks have become larger and louder in recent years. Osher said the city had not made ordinance changes and noted that because July 4 falls on a Saturday this year, Crystal City only permits fireworks on that day. He said he understands concerns about large fireworks near homes, but also does not want to create a rule that would be difficult for police to enforce.

The mayor encouraged residents to celebrate safely, follow city ordinances, and be respectful of their neighbors.

Parking at Hickey White Park came up during council roundtable comments. Ginnever said a recent basketball tournament brought one of the largest crowds he had seen at the park, creating parking problems near the entrance to the sewer plant. He said cars were parked on both sides of the road in places, making it difficult for vehicles to turn around or pass.

Officials said no-parking signs had previously been added in response to resident concerns, but there may be confusion about whether the signs apply to one side of the street or both. Osher said the city can review the area and add signage if needed.

Longer term, officials discussed the possibility of additional parking near the basketball courts, along with future park improvements such as a playground and walking path. Osher said the city does not want to lose green space unnecessarily, but added that a successful park also creates the need for adequate parking.

Council members closed the meeting by praising the pool staff, thanking city workers for mowing around the Girl Scout house, and again urging residents to be mindful with fireworks.

The meeting adjourned after just under an hour.