Dave Casotti, Boone Mayor, July 21, 2026

Today visiting with Mayor Dave Cassotti. Good to have you back mayor good to be back Jim. Thank you. It's a beautiful day Hey, compared to you and bright bright is coming and they'll be here anytime. Well, some of them might already we don't know Much better day to welcome a bill. They're gonna love it Yeah, it's gonna be a not bad. Okay. Let's talk a little bit about it I go because the council did ask both chiefs last night. You had some right bri related things and Obviously Chief Weebold they work pretty hard. I'm putting together a plan for Having traffic in again having the street closures and you know trying to have as little Yeah, I mean it's gonna have an impact doesn't matter you get that many bicycle riders in town It's gonna have an impact. Yep. You double plus then more than double the size of the town It's it's gonna be fun for them, but they're up for the task. So we do have again Street closing down nine, but the crossovers are there just have a little patience. That's the big thing Yeah, and that's yeah, that's gonna be it's one day and gonna take a lot of patience But yep, you can get across it at certain points if you don't know go on the website boon police department's website Or on Facebook. I suppose it's on the website, too But it does it explains where you can get crossed so they will have those manned and Volunteers and everything else will help you get across the trap by the get those maps up as well at KW dvg.com but also linked to the Rackbrite or the visit boon County Rackbrite page where they have maps for the shuttle services and everything else if you want to go and Travel back and forth with it the shuttle might be the way to do it It probably would today if you can if you can find out which one's going to be closest to you Yeah, there you go. Absolutely ride a bike. Yep. You can always ride a right fit right in yeah Well council had busy meeting last night. You had a lot of different things going on Let's start with all our quarterly reports Brenda Dreyer first aims economic Alliance but also your executive director we're boon County Economic Growth and She gave a little quarterly update a lot of interesting information good information and something I think a lot of people probably really didn't know much about but You got a thriving community designation. We did had a lot of people had to go out and Actually make a presentation about this. Yeah, she put a great group together They went out did a fantastic job and got that for us it I was first told we got it and was supposed to keep it hush hush And it wasn't going to come out until I think like September or something and then all of a sudden here It's out already and no, that's fantastic. Those guys did a great job. So so it's exciting opportunities from thriving community What does this do for us? Did she kind of review some of that? She did and it all kind of Didn't go over my head, but there was so much information going on that um I can't make you eligible for a lot of accessing a lot of different kind of grants funding support services things like that Yep, and I like said I can't go details because I can't remember all of Excuse me all of them, but there are quite a few things that does give us Possibilities for and I think it's for a three-year period if I remember right so Um, but yeah, it definitely will help out with a lot of different things And some people are going to go well, you know, okay, so you got thriving community Really the number of actual city representatives on that Andrea that was about it. Yeah. Yeah others were private sector Bank banking financing business. Yeah There was a yeah, it was uh, not that much actually on the city side Just one really to talk about housing projects and things like that. Right. Yeah, and I think only four cities out of isla Yeah got that designation. So yeah, that's a big deal for us. So that was good Then we followed that up holly stacker again downtown boon main street talked about the things they've been doing and things They are working on as well. In fact crazy day coming up Yeah, they're going to tie it right in with farmers market again. It's going to be busy down here Yeah, we need another good day with no rain. We do. Yep That's for sure. That's going to be on thursday And then you had victoria heling come up and she gave a little information about the Chamber and 13 new members. She's pretty excited about that. Yeah a couple of them Taking up taking her up on the new New business. Yeah, they've got a new Feed to get people started entrepreneurial kind of right But things that she's familiar with and a way to get people involved with using chamber resources Yeah, it's nice. They can start in at a lower at a lower Fee or I don't he's probably not the right word but membership type fee And then it'll work its way up and then if you stay on then you can become a permanent member and continue with that each year So yeah, she's doing a great job. Then you made her stay stay up there Because she had the puffer billy day stuff. Yep. We had to do some 50th anniversary and uh Again just uh got the maps the locations and stuff She's been working again with probably both the chief Both adams and and we bold and uh Again going through all the process and stuff a few minor changes in it but a few but it Yeah, they're they're going to change where they're setting up things and so forth, but it's it'll still be good And yeah, that's we've got a lot going on jim One thing that's not going on Is that contract with the humane society? Well, it is extended. I think what council did vote to Extend it expired on june 30 right? But they said let's extend it three months And so working under the old contract if I guess if the humane society wants to I don't know Yeah, they had to go back to their board obviously But that's what we offered for right now is to to continue to do their services for the three months Or the the month that they haven't even been under contract then this month and one more so we can try to iron things out So this time was really it was uh four opposed to renewing the contract three in in favor of it. Yeah, uh bottom line is Just can't come to terms right and a lot of us do with services and and different Just it's minor details. I think but I think we can get something worked out Hopefully within the next month or two More optimistic than me Well, I say hopefully I've it's they've been around 50 years and yeah right now City does cover about 25 of their budget right so So without us it's going to be hard for them But without them it's going to be hard for the city because then we don't have that service so Yeah, that's something we Something on our plate. We we didn't so you're looking at a work looking forward Basically looking at a work session council and with their board if their board's willing to meet right and I hope they are Because we do need to sit down and and just hash things out and get and get it figured out So we can get a contract of some point or some sort hopefully put together because that's like I said there's There are lots of issues with stray animals around town and different things and we do need them Or we need a service like that. So yeah, well see what happens. It's I'm sure it's going to be a fun meeting if we're a fun work session when we do have it So well, that's one way to a lot of people passionate about that. Yeah Well, there's and they're also passionate about urban chickens. Yeah back again, uh, be this time erin drake joined her They really would like to You know, I know bring it back on the agenda for the council But I think more interested in sitting down and seeing what could we do to make this work? Right and at this point Most of the council Not interested or doesn't seem interested. Anyway, we talked a little bit last time You are the one that sets the agenda. So you might put it on or maybe you don't want to maybe you want to see if Something can be set up for us. Yeah, I still haven't quite decided I want to look at the ordinances that we're in We're going to be there is no ordinance as of right now They're in the fact that you can't have chickens and so I want to sit down and look at the ordinances Uh, the way they were written up last time and see if there's something If we do put it on the agenda that we can that, you know, I just want to be comfortable with the agenda or the ordinance and And then make a decision whether or not to put it on there. So I know that's a It's a hot topic. So it's that's a tough one Always will be it will it's one of those where you've got a lot of people that do want and you got a lot of people They don't yep and the funny and not funny thing But the thing is with it those that want it are more Voiced to the ones that don't and therefore it looks like The ones that you were and I don't know. I mean, I don't know You know the exact numbers of who doesn't who doesn't but we'll get through it I know And uh, just so that people understand you don't have people out there searching for chickens in town No, we do not no, we're not it's complaint driven if if at all right and I haven't really heard of anything So I've heard of one instance that yeah, that's That's been a little while and and well the one instance there was a complaint and and after what? Uh Letter requested. No, we don't have chickens and it's closed case. Yep. Yep. So we move on. Yeah Well, we did that. Hey one successful thing though You did get a five hundred thousand dollar community development block grant for the next well out there at the waterworks Yes, and that's great news. That's awesome that we're yeah any money you can get right boy. We'll take yeah We'll take it all we'll take whatever we can get and we'll take it all now That's going to be a project that more now that that part has been obtained You've already started the process out there So there is going to be work going on trying to get that online And and I know last time the big debate was nitrates everybody kind of focused on nitrates It wasn't That you were looking at locating this well in an area that has proven to be lower in nitrates Yep And your water plant for umpteen decades Has actually operated by blending that water to keep the nitrate levels lower right and that's so this is what you're really looking for Right and uh And we just looked at the numbers last night that uh, it looks like the nitrates are still dropping a little bit We were like last report was in the sevens, and I know we'd love to be at zero I don't know if that's even possible, but um, but yeah, I think this will help And then down the road there's going to be more More things that we will need to do With nitrates, but for right now that's a great thing and I know they're working on the archaeological Part of it going in and look at the site before we can start on it But I think at that last meeting or what the big push on nitrates is why don't you have a plan in place? What you're going to do? Well, and we right now you're looking at Yeah, that might be 20 30 years and things can change in 20 30 years. Yeah, they can change quickly So at least at this point the research and what was in your report was you're looking at a process a biological process That does not Create a waste right which that Obviously is Very beneficial. Yeah, that looks like I don't know how inexpensive it is or how expensive it is But it's something that they are using at least they've discovered in one location and it's working successfully right? Yep, so we'll keep an eye on that but it's it's either that or reverse osmosis Probably those are the two ones right now that everybody's kind of looking at That one's not as viable for us with the location of our Water treatment plant so well that in the fact that the dnr said you can't dispose of that In the river you have to treat it at your wastewater point Yep, which then we would have to get it there and then you got a couple million dollar project going on there So yep, that is not very Cost-beneficient none of those are cheap, but we'll we'll do what we need to do on its time Yeah, and one of the other supplies was going to the jordan aquifer digging deeper wells Which also they there was not A lot of dnr support for that and And varied cost prohibitive. I mean you're talking a couple million dollars of well, right easy. Yeah Well, we know that part will continue to move forward again with the well that Is going to be done and that's in process. We're just keep working away at that And we will uh sticking with the water for a little bit longer. We did have at the utility committee meeting I know they did get that the industrial park tower water tower rehabilitation proposal This is something that you went out got another engineering from that specializes in water towers And they made a report a presentation Public works director wailin andrews had indicated earlier that he was looking at a multi-year Opportunity to cover the cost of this and and spread it out over two years But the water tower did need to have some work done. It's just definitely just needs to meet have some tlc It definitely does. Yep inside and out. So it'll We'll be working on that soon as well. So that's another one that will proceed Uh, let me see As long as we're talking about that. Let's talk about the north transmission main line We did have a contract amendment basically When seh did the initial contract it was just for some of the basic Services for it. I don't think it was total engineering and everything else But the part that was not included in there was working with the easements and You're not going to need some easements. So now that you know about the route you're going to take and stuff like that Uh got some property owners to go out and visit with and work out arrangements Yep, I believe we've got four different four separate property owners and and as well as those that uh because it's farmland and as well as those that um farm the land or do the rent the rent the farmland to Take care of the crops. So yeah, we've got mainly four properties that we're looking at that we've got to start talking to so And uh, hopefully try to get that done relatively soon. Yeah. Yep. That needs to happen. There's an alternate route. It's Obviously, it's the alternate route for a reason. So We're hoping this goes well There's a big project because this is right now your existing mains. Uh Should I they're okay. They're ancient They've been there a long time. It's a good word. Yeah, uh, and uh, you're I know part of this is security another Another source uh coming in on the north side, but also for your industrial growth right expansion. So yeah Still looking at uh, again trying to have that back upside of it Anyway, that's going to be an expensive project as we go forward. It is we know that the The one I thought was going to create Probably most controversy last night and all the debate was the color of the steel For that for that didn't go very fast. That went real fast. It didn't go fast. That was kind of surprise the exterior steel and basically We're talking about the green space. Uh gray boss been working on putting it getting everything ordered and stuff Yep, so you're in this business. So you know how it goes, but uh, what color is uh, what color of metal do you want? and uh Previously it had been like a dark green forest green and then the wood Still have all the wood public works and all the city staff was able to preserve all that. Yep That's all going to be reused but What color did you want the steel? So it looks like the steel and it'll just be the roof and the background The back part of the staged uh, is going to be I believe it's sandstone is the and and that's what when I do windows That's one of the colors. We have a sandstone. So he knows the color easy to remember for me But even though i'm colorblind, I tried not to I didn't want to put my two cents It just I said, okay, it looks good But no, I think it'll blend in well with the rest of the Rest of the downtown for those that are wondering. Yeah, they did go with the dark green. They also did matching like the the wall to the north Yep, again, that's out there. So But with the sand settled on the sandstone and it will be a steel structure But most of the steel then other than the rough steel and the back steel the the skin part will be that sandstone All the other columns and so forth will be covered or wrapped basically with the old wood from the from the previous one So it'll look like a wood structure, but they'll be steel. It'll be steel all the way Okay, so and they're still hoping to get this up pretty quick, aren't they hope so be nice to have it up by pufferbillies But we'll see Yeah, well and pufferbilly did one thing we did find out is they kind of redid the staging and set up areas So people there's going to be more coming out on that as we get there. Well, yeah Uh, let's see that happens. So let's talk about citywide cleanup because i'm pretty sure people constantly are and what's going on with that I haven't heard a lot lately. What have you done? What's happening? Yeah So we do know uh, once again Waylon angers Spent a lot of time basically went to metro waste authority because they do a lot of these Yeah, and uh in a lot of different communities and kind of took a look at what they were doing how they were handling it And we are going to have a lot more information coming out on this But he had the basic plan out for the council to take a look at last night Yeah, he put a good good flyer together for us to look at and we'll we'll uh, maybe tweak it a little bit But yeah, I think in right as of right now. We're looking on october the week of october 4th and october 11th Um, I believe that's that's what we're shooting for Um, and and everyone will have access or be sent a uh, a flyer that shows items that are accepted items that are not accepted Um, it's want to point out. They aren't going to pick up garbage. No won't be garbage There are certain things again that we can't pick up there will be what's going to be nice is we will have um A program for you for appliances and hopefully we're looking into something for electronics as well So so and and we'll have a drop-off site for those and if you can't get those there And we need to come pick them up. There may be a small fee to do that, but It'll yeah, it's it'll be good. It's coming. They're just working out all the final details and There will be a flyer out soon. There will yes a lot of people are Chomping at the bit. Yep. All right. Let's talk about the debate and over Do we do we even care if we approve this liquor license since the state's already awarded it? Yeah, I'd be again. They asked for a special event alcohol use they wanted to provide Service basically for consumption Beer and wine coolers and stuff in their parking lot right and I know the council debating over well How is that different than when bottle bliss wanted to do theirs? But they did theirs in the street City doesn't have a lot of control over the private property. Correct the When they go out on the street or out on a public thoroughfare, that's when you guys have more input, right and that Excuse me. And that's what it made the decision Well, it made it easy because we don't have that much control as private property But we you know, it was hard. I mean and some of the council members said it It's like they feel bad for saying yes, even though we I don't even know if we needed to vote on it Just because of the fact that they already had controlled so already had the last You know to let them to be able to have it. But just what you said it was private property versus a street closure. So Um, still feel bad, but it was a four to three vote. Yeah. Yeah Token vote, but it was a token vote. It was. Yeah Several Andrea Elmkos had several different projects that are coming up that are going to be again pursuing grants community development block grants we've got some Retain the services of simmering quarry to handle the one for the upper story Residential that's going to be done again. Those would be upper upper story Yeah residential. Yeah working with uh, child care junction at the family resource center Uh, because adult day no longer located out there. So And again, that's a loss of uh, some of the covering the cost or expense for that But uh, there are ways available grant dollars available and I know uh, Brenda drier working with them on that too from So they're looking at the growth. Yep. So child care junctions looking to expand into that front area And they'll just take a little bit of remodeling and um, yeah, little Watch it all come together. Yeah That's uh, there are a lot of other things that came up or other highlights. Did you have? Oh, you did have some closed session meetings about selling property Yeah, I know that. Yeah, I don't know if you guys made any final decisions on that or if it's still uh negotiations underway Still kind of negotiations. Um looking at some options or yeah Put some options in to get those properties and yeah, so moving ahead with that other Other items not much. Um, not much other than Right rise rise here and I just have some and have some patience I think probably chief we will let the big thing have some patience and volunteer come and help us It's still not too late to volunteer But yeah, that's what I'm just going to say is I hope everyone You know enjoys it if you're not going to enjoy it You know need to stay away from the traffic because it's going to be a hectic day, but it's it's good for the city I mean, it's bringing 20 plus thousand people in and um Just if you are out and about be conscientious of the bikers and be careful and stay safe and Have fun and if you go to the concert tonight same thing have fun. Stay safe and enjoy It's going to be a much nicer day. We've got great weather for you. So it's going to be and We know Just the registered riders that are coming and the just because of the location and the better weather Yep, i'm imagining probably double that amount and with the band that we've got hairballs very popular. So it's It's going to be crowded out there this weekend. So this weekend tonight just for the next 24 36 hours And then when they leave town if you happen to be one of those commuting to the north Again, that's going to be some challenge. Right. They'll be going to gilbert from here. Yep At least you didn't have the storm damage. They had no we got I think you had a few trees down and branches and trees So yeah parks department was closed now and getting ready for it. And I think they got diverted a little bit there again Yeah, yeah, I followed a truck coming in this morning that uh back was full of tree branches So they're getting it cleaned up and should be all ready to go and do that Once again the next meeting coming up for the council. It's next month. It's going to be the beginning of august Yeah, wow, but it's time flies summer flew by time flies when we're having fun Absolutely, dave casati boon mayor our guest on our program today. Thanks for joining us. Thanks jam