A few improvements for spring are in the works for downtown Rugby streets and city council chambers.

At the city council’s regular meeting, held at the Rugby Armory on March 1, members heard from Laurie Odden, executive director of the Rugby Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Burea, who requested permission to hang flower planters downtown.

Odden said the planters weighed “between 75 and 150 pounds.”

“These would be on city light poles on Main Avenue and Second and Third Street,” Odden said, adding she had contacted local sources for brackets to hang the baskets. Odden said the flowers would be funded by grant monies.

Odden said a 50/50 raffle organized by the CVB has raised $2,700 as of March 1 toward repairs to the Geographical Center monument and electrical work on the Northern Lights Tower.

Odden also reported on upcoming events for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter, which include children’s activities by the Jaycees and a free matinee movie.

The city’s public works committees also reported the council chambers would have a new coat of paint.

Buildings committee chair Joel Berg reported plans were in place to do maintenance on the floors of the Rugby Armory. Discussion on the matter was tabled after the council decided to seek multiple estimates for the work. Prices quoted by flooring contractors ranged from about $12,000 to approximately $5,000.

Although an engineer for the city has been researching estimates for new windows for the armory, other improvements to the building have been put on hold due to information from engineering firm AE2S that USDA funding for the work would likely not be approved.

Jim Olson of AE2S told the council he was also researching costs for windows on the Rugby pool building.

In other business, the council unanimously approved a resolution to refinance bonds through financial firm PFM on the city-owned Chalmers Addition. The refinancing at an interest rate of 1.3447 percent represents a savings to the city of $108,155.83 over the life of the loan.

Olson reported on the preparations the public works department was making for a new carbon dioxide tank for the city water plant. The council approved the use of a crane at the cost of $2,343 to install the tank when it arrives at the plant from its shipping point in Georgia.

Software for the water plant’s computer system will also receive an upgrade.

Olson also described some obstacles encountered on a water/sewer infrastructure project at 2 ¢ Ave. in Rugby. Problems include a missing manhole location and USDA funding delays.

Additionally, an easement was needed for sewer lines near the city baseball diamonds, according to Olson.

A steering committee for an updated comprehensive land use project will meet March 9 at 2 p.m., according to information provided by Olson.

In other business, the council approved a request by the city finance committee to purchase a new police car, with a $20,000 down payment and $18,893 financed with a loan.

The council also voted unanimously to approve a new variance request by a future Dollar General Store on State Highway 3 to reduce the size of the store’s parking lot to allow for easements to the North Dakota Department of Transportation. The council also waived application fees for the updated variance.

The council also considered a request by Mia Woodman of Massachusetts to revise an ordinance covering the keeping of certain animals in the city.

Woodman has six pet snakes. Some are as long as six feet, however, Woodman stressed the snakes weigh approximately three pounds.

The council declined to vote to change the ordinance, but referred it back to the ordinance committee.

In other business, the council approved minutes and financials from their February regular and special meetings as well as minutes and financials from the Rugby Job Development Authority and Rugby Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Mayor Sue Steinke issued proclamations designating March as Dolly Parton Imagination Library Month; March 8-12 as National School Breakfast Week and April 5-9 National City Government Week.