By Sara Strong
The dry weather caught up with the city of Luverne's water system this week.
As of Tuesday the city is imposing a water restriction. Lawns may be watered between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., but residents are asked to limit their water use as much as possible.
Similar restrictions are in place in the surrounding area.
Despite the nearly 1 inch of rainfall late Tuesday and early Wednesday morning, the city's supply is still considered low enough to warrant restrictions.
There is an exemption to the watering restriction. The city will water the new sod just laid on the Freeman and Estey street project. The roots have to take hold before it can be left longer without water.
At Tuesdays Council meeting, members also:
Voted to amend the budget to include $37,000 for the new "Evergreen Park," or the former Christensen home, along North Blue Mound Avenue.
Most of the work will be completed this summer, with other additions, such as possible bathrooms, to be added later. The location is ideal, because Rock County is constructing a bike path along Blue Mound Avenue to Blue Mounds State Park this summer.
Discussed the possibility of banning parking on Freeman Street during the Rock County Fair. The street is typically crowded with parked vehicles and regular traffic during the fair, but the Highway 75 construction project this year will cause heavier traffic on main north-south streets such as Freeman Avenue.
The council directed staff to close the street to parking during the fair if the railroad crossing work causes both Highway 75 lanes to be closed. Staff will communicate with the local fire department, SheriffÕs Office and construction crews to determine if itÕs necessary to ban parking.