Melbourne council approves shared valve-exerciser purchase, mosquito spraying; brush-dump access remains unresolved

During routine business on July 13, the Melbourne City Council approved several public-works items and directed follow-up work.

Rhodes Public Works and Melbourne Public Works completed a demo of a DSG valve exerciser; Council approved splitting the $3,125 cost and instructed the Clerk to draft a sharing agreement. The motion to split the cost was made by Beth Smith and seconded by Gary Fricke; vote all ayes.

Council also approved contracting Schendel for mosquito spraying; Public Works will contact the contractor to schedule treatments. Separately, Council discussed efforts to secure a brush-dump location and reported that landowners approached so far do not want to allow public access; establishing citywide brush-dump access appears unlikely without purchasing property. The Mayor asked that discussion on selling or renting the city wood chipper be tabled until more information on insurance and value is available; the item will return in August.

These items were approved as part of routine maintenance and intergovernmental cooperation; the Clerk will draft the valve-exerciser sharing agreement and Public Works will arrange mosquito-spraying appointments.