Litchfield City Councilman Steve Schlumm found himself in hot water recently when he performed unauthorized work on the downtown park.
by Mike Warner
A Litchfield city councilman has gotten into a bit of hot water with his fellow councilpersons and other city officials.
Councilman Steve Schlumm took it upon himself to “beautify” the city downtown park. Without acquiring permission, Schlumm undertook several projects within the park, including planting and placing mulch around trees and sidewalks, as well as painting light posts and various concrete surfaces.
His peers were less than impressed with the effort. They had several issues with Schlumm’s work.
After council discussion and imput for the city’s attorney Tom Thompson, the remainder of the council last week approved a measure to charge Schlumm for restoring the park back to itsprevious condition. The cost of the work won’t be known until city workers finish the projects
In a letter to the council, Interim City Manager Lauren Skelly noted, “While the apparent intent was to beautify the downtown park, the unauthorized alterations have resulted in financial consequences to the City. City resources, including staff, time and materials, will be required to remove the plantings and restore the affected City property.”
Skelly said that the unauthorized plantings would have to be removed because they hinder safety and lawn care.
“They were installed without City review or consideration of appropriate location, mature plant size, maintenance requirements, or potential interference with pedestrian and vehicular areas,” Skelly wrote.
“Several plants and trees were placed immediately adjacent to sidewalks, intersections, and other public infrastructure and, as they mature, may extend into pedestrian areas or obstruct motorists’ lines of sight, creating potential safety concerns.”
The letter went on to state in addition to safety concerns, many of the plantings are located in places where mowing routinely takes place, thus creating more work for the city’s DPW.
Skelly also pointed out the painting “is not consistent with the standard of work expected for City-owned property and will require correction.”
Schlumm did not respond to several attempts to get comments, except to say he disagrees with the councils actions.
A Litchfield city councilman has gotten into a bit of hot water with his fellow councilpersons and other city officials.
Councilman Steve Schlumm took it upon himself to “beautify” the city downtown park. Without acquiring permission, Schlumm undertook several projects within the park, including planting and placing mulch around trees and sidewalks, as well as painting light posts and various concrete surfaces.
His peers were less than impressed with the effort. They had several issues with Schlumm’s work.
After council discussion and imput for the city’s attorney Tom Thompson, the remainder of the council last week approved a measure to charge Schlumm for restoring the park back to itsprevious condition. The cost of the work won’t be known until city workers finish the projects
In a letter to the council, Interim City Manager Lauren Skelly noted, “While the apparent intent was to beautify the downtown park, the unauthorized alterations have resulted in financial consequences to the City. City resources, including staff, time and materials, will be required to remove the plantings and restore the affected City property.”
Skelly said that the unauthorized plantings would have to be removed because they hinder safety and lawn care.
“They were installed without City review or consideration of appropriate location, mature plant size, maintenance requirements, or potential interference with pedestrian and vehicular areas,” Skelly wrote.
“Several plants and trees were placed immediately adjacent to sidewalks, intersections, and other public infrastructure and, as they mature, may extend into pedestrian areas or obstruct motorists’ lines of sight, creating potential safety concerns.”
The letter went on to state in addition to safety concerns, many of the plantings are located in places where mowing routinely takes place, thus creating more work for the city’s DPW.
Skelly also pointed out the painting “is not consistent with the standard of work expected for City-owned property and will require correction.”
Schlumm did not respond to several attempts to get comments, except to say he disagrees with the councils actions.
The Homer DPW flushes hydrants as a proactive measure to address water quality concerns. (Submitted photo)
