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The Eyota City Council approved a motion that would allow Mayor Wes Bussell to sign documents and use the Eyota City Federal Identification Number (FID) number in case of emergency to keep the ambulance service operating. This came as a result of pending approval from the Centers for Medicare for the Eyota Ambulance service to receive Medicare payments. Medicare requirements recently changed and ambulance services around the country are required to submit new paper work. They are required to validate Proof of Title and organizational structure. The changes in Medicare are meant to find places of accountability, as well as preventing fraud or finding areas of fraud. They want to see the chain of responsibility.

Medicare stopped payments to the Eyota Ambulance Service in January. They receive about 40 percent of their revenue from Medicare and 60 percent from private insurance companies. They are in good shape financially for that reason and the fact they were fiscally responsible in their planning. “We had the good presence to consider there could be stormy weather and planned accordingly,” said Dr. Chris Arendt, Director of the Eyota Volunteer Ambulance Service. “We will submit the letter after Sunday’s board meeting,” Arendt said. Arendt said the ambulance service has a dedicated crew. Five new members have been added in the last month.

The Eyota Volunteer Ambulance Service is also moving along on securing finances to build a new ambulance garage. “The USDA (United Stated Department of Agriculture) and the Rural Development Association put dollars into communities for facilities.” Arendt said. “We went to them to get dollars and are encouraged we may receive some.” They have secured land for the new facility.

The council approved the new home incentive guidelines at the recommendation of the Eyota Economic Development Authority (EDA). The new home and commercial development agreement promotes small town living and small class sizes for students and waives 2012 fees for sewer connection, sewer permit-inspection, water improvement fund, water connection and zoning certification. The Eyota housing incentives will be linked to the Rochester Area Builder’s website.

The council approved the purchase of Wayfinding Signage to direct people to key locations in the city at the recommendation of the Economic Development Authority (EDA). The signage would be constructed at Westside Park at a cost of $3,200 ,according to Cathy Enerson, Director of the EDA. The exact location will be decided at a later date after the council and EDA visit the site to evaluate the best spot for maximum visibility. Enerson said, “The Wayfinding signage was determined to be important to businesses.”

The sign would consist of nine blades. The top blade would say “Welcome to Eyota.” The other blades would direct travelers to a variety of locations such as Historic Downtown, City Hall, Fire Department, Post Office, and public schools. The council also approved the expenditure of $1,300 for the requirements of a survey for the lease of land for the future construction of a welcome sign on the west side of the city. Dale Heintz was approved by the council for a new six year term on the EDA board. Heintz was elected as chairman.

A motion was passed to pursue a Community Forest Bonding Grant to diversify the cities trees. The diversification is a result of evaluating the possibility of Emerald Ash Borer affecting the current trees. The Emerald Ash Borer is highly destructive and kills ash trees. Grants are made for planting shade trees on public land.

The council approved the summer recreation director job description and will begin advertising for the position.