Riley appointed to Chappell City Council

CHAPPELL – The Chappell City Council welcomed a new member this week.

Dan Riley, who was recently appointed as a councilor, was administered the oath of office at the beginning of the council meeting on Monday night by city attorney Joel Jay.

Riley was nominated to fill a vacancy opened after Rich Graeff resigned from the council last month.

Councilors approved Graeff’s resignation, with regret, at the April 20 City Council meeting.

Riley will serve the remainder of Graeff’s term, which extends through December 2016.

At Monday’s meeting, councilor Joyce Vogt also provided an update on the Park and Lake Commissioners Board.

Vogt said the board is planning a cleanup effort at the city’s lake in preparation of the upcoming fishing derby on June 13.

Brush and tumbleweeds surrounding Chappell Lake need to be cleared, she said.

“It’s pretty messy out there,” she added.

Vogt said the board additionally discussed possible improvements for the lake area in the next year, including the addition of swings and a sand volleyball pit.

The board hopes to get that area “cleaned up and more presentable for not only the community, but also visitors,” she said.

Councilors also discussed a parcel of city property south of the dump. At a meeting last month, a resident expressed interest in purchasing the property.

Mayor Steve Brott asked Jay what the process would entail.

Jay said the city would have to advertise its intentions of selling the property for a set amount of time and then allow bids.

“I think it’s in the city’s best interest,” Brott said. “Is it doing us any good? Any benefit to us?”

Councilor Lynda Johnson said the property was an eyesore.

“My thought is to take it to the next step,” Vogt added.

Jay said he’d investigate the required details.

City Administrator and Clerk Ashlea Jepsen told the council the Deuel County Chamber of Commerce had recently approved providing the city with funds.

The $2,000 would likely be split evenly between Chappell and Big Springs she said, and the city has six months to decide what to use it for.

“I thought we could do welcome banners,” she said.

Councilors said they thought that was a good idea.

The next Chappell City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m. in city hall.