By Lexi MooreHills City Councilman Dana Dahlquist participated in his final meeting as a member of the council Tuesday night.Dahlquist announced his resignation at the April meeting because he is relocating to the Tea, S.D., area at the end of June.Dahlquist concluded his final meeting with a heavy heart, saying, "I don’t want it to be over. You have a good group of people here."Although Major Jim Jellema tried to keep the mood of the meeting light, he did express gratitude."Thank you for your years of service to Hills," he said. "We appreciate all the time, effort and thoughts you have contributed to the council."Dahlquist had served as a council member since November 2004 and was re-elected for a four-year term in November 2004. He will remain the director at the Tuff Memorial Home.During Tuesday’s meeting council members discussed how they plan to fill the seat left vacant by Dahlquist’s resignation.Keith Elbers made a motion to ask Hills resident Pete Hoff to fill Dahlquist’s vacant seat. The motion was seconded by Ross Metzger and approved by the board.Hoff served as a council member in the past and has expressed interest in rejoining the council.Hoff will be invited to the July 12 council meeting to accept or deny the appointment. If he accepts the appointment, he will be sworn in during the meeting and will serve until the next regular council election in November 2006.Street assessments The council approved special street assessments to Mike Kerkhove/Amy Brandt and United Enterprises for the cost of blacktopping Sixth Street.The council estimated the amount of the assessment to be $6,755.60, depending on the cost of gravel. The cost will be split between the parties and taxed over 10 years with an eight percent interest rate.Individuals have the right to pay the assessment early.Mailbox issuesMike Spath, Stephanie Page and Lyle Bos appeared before the council regarding the location of their mailboxes. The boxes are installed near the crosswalk along Highway 270.The council had sent letters to residents asking them to remove the postal boxes because of a safety issue.The residents asked the council for their specific safety concerns.Council members explained they are concerned that motorists who have stopped to pick up their mail might not be able to see children using the crosswalk. They also expressed concern about cars parking against oncoming traffic when they retrieve their mail.Residents responded that they do not feel there is a safety issue.Jellema admitted that the city does not have the authority to require residents to move postal boxes from private property as long as the boxes are on a postal route. He asked the residents if they would be willing to move the boxes, and they responded they’re not."I have no reason to move it, unless the government tells me to," said Bos.
