Road name plan honors JoAnn Simek

EMILY GOJMERAC

REPORTER

JoAnn Simek did a lot for this community while she was here, now to honor her, the city would like to name the road on the end of Pep’s Drive “JoAnn’s Way.”

“I brought up the use of JoAnn’s name because she sat in this chair, on the city council for a number of years and never wanted any recognition for it. So I figured we could take this opportunity to pay homage to JoAnn,” said alderman Christine Weix at Monday’s city Medford city council committee of the whole meeting.

Area resident Rhonda Cummings assured the committee that there is a large amount of family support for this idea.

“I just want to clarify that it will be JoAnn’s Way just for the road. The addition could be named something else entirely,” said City Coordinator Joe Harris.

Council member member Mike Bub said “I love this idea, I have a suggestion, why not call the road JoAnn’s Way and the subdivision itself to be named Simek Addition?”

The park that will be added later as part of the overall project, will be named at a later date.

The final installment of the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds was given to the city in the amount of $448,000. With these funds the city plans to complete multiple projects including:

• New police radios-$75,000

• Forklift for Electric Utility-$ 20,000

• Repave South Whelen Ave$55,000

• Cameras, Wi-Fi and speakers for pool and park- $83,000

• Mixer for water tower #1 (tower on Whelen)- $15,000 • Reline sewer on Hwy 13- $200,000 This is not the total amount for all the projects, however, the ARPA funds will be a starting point.

Bub suggested asking the county pay for the radios instead of using ARPA funds, the council agreed and will bring the topic to the county board’s attention.

In other business, council members:

• Recommended the room tax distribution will remain the same with 85% of room taxes collected going to the room tax commission to be distributed as grants to area events and organizations with the city retaining 15% to go into general fund. State law allows the city to retain up to 30% of the room tax collected, but the city has routinely directed more of the funds toward events.

• Recommended the 2023 solid waste and recycling fees remain the same as the previous year.

• Tabled a decision to pick a location for the electric vehicle charging stations due to the uncertain answers of how much revenue it would bring to the city and where it could benefit most of the people using it.