Stanhope city council members reviewed the situation with Xenia Rural Water District once again when they met for their regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening.

The city made plans earlier this year for Xenia to take over the Stanhope water and wastewater utilities, but the company has run into difficulties. The council and mayor had previously decided to give the firm until September 30 to work out its problems and continue forward with the takeover in Stanhope, and Tuesday the council agreed to wait until then.

Several members of the Stanhope Public Library board were present to visit with the council regarding the $500,000 Iowa Finance Authority-I-Jobs grant recently awarded for the construction of a new library in Stanhope. The library foundation has now submitted grant applications for additional funding from Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino and the S.S. Kresge Foundation. The council approved submission of an application for funds from the Roy J. Carver Trust.

Library board members asked the whether a stop sign or traffic light could be erected at the library construction site, as traffic in the area will increase dramatically. The city clerk will check with the DOT regarding the request.

In other business Tuesday, the council turned their attention to several proposed ordinances and passed the first reading for each. The ordinances deal with municipal infractions, parking violations-alternate, abandoned vehicles, and residency restrictions for sex offenders. The second reading for each of the four ordinances will be at the next regular council meeting.

There were also several resolutions on Tuesday's agenda. A resolution was approved to authorize the joining of the Stanhope Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department with the Stratford Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department.

Another resolution passed changes the representation on the Hamilton County E-911 Board and Hamilton County Medical Services Board to Kevin Kackley, with Nila Zanker as alternate.

The council also approved a resolution that changes the regular council meeting dates for the rest of the year to Tuesdays, October 13, November 10, and December 15.

The final resolution passed Tuesday evening authorized the payment of unused vacation to employee Ed Haman, who is retiring from a long career as city maintenance director.

In other business, the council looked at the proposed changing of the distribution of votes for the Hamilton County Solid Waste Commission and indicated their preference for one vote for each member of the commission.

Also on Tuesday, the council:

Set Trick or Treat Night in Stanhope for Saturday, October 31, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Approved purchasing a ten-capacity bike rack.

Authorized an assessment of $5.99 per dwelling/utility account for mosquito spraying services provided from May 1 till September 30 this year. The charge will be on the next utility bill.

The city clerk reminded the council that seats held by city councilmen Gary Baker, Jr. and Trent Flockhart are up for re-election in November, along with the Mayor's seat, now held by Harold Hove.

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