The Le Mars City Council approved buying a piece of railroad equipment to assist an expanding Le Mars business that relies on rail for shipments.

IML Containers is currently depending on rail to bring in materials for their planned expansion in southern Le Mars, according to City Administrator Scott Langel.

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The company is constructing a $4.6 million facility for its in-mold labeling container manufacturing at 1820 24th St. S.W.

Langel told the council Tuesday the Canadian National Railroad notified city staff that future rail shipments to Le Mars would be halted if arrangements were not made for derailment systems at city-owned loading sites.

As a result, Langel said, he had assumed responsibility for an expenditure of $15,688 for such a system to accommodate IML Containers.

The price, he said later, would be paid out of Le Mars Urban Renewal Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue.

"We do anticipate we will be fully or partially reimbursed by local industry that needs that connection," he said.

Along with this, the city will be working with the company to relocate the rail siding once construction is completed at the new site, Langel said.

"Having new rail line to that building solidifies that they will be a long-term corporate citizen of Le Mars," he added.

Also during the council meeting this week:

*Bill Cole, assistant city administrator, reported that five of 11 applicants applying for the currently vacant library director's position will be interviewed for the position beginning this week.

*Le Mars' fall clean-up amnesty days at the landfill will be Sept.18, 19, and 20. Landfill hours will be extended from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18.

*Property was declared surplus and will be sold at the annual Police Auction this month.

*Cargo Express 2 was granted renewal of a Class B Beer Permit and The Bar was granted renewal of a Class C Liquor License.

*No action was taken on a request from Kari Kopperud, of Le Mars, for council support of a resolution in favor of the Sept. 9 Le Mars Community School District Instructional Support Levy (ISL). Kopperud, sharing concerns about cuts in local school funding, presented the resolution during the council's comment session.

*Darwin Huls also shared his concern over a citation received for parking his trailer on his property. He said that while he "doesn't agree" with the citation, he would move the trailer, but at the same time alleged that an earlier vehicle owned by "an energy company" parked at the same location was not ticketed.

*The council's "thumbs up" recognition for the session came from Mayor Dick Kirchoff and Councilman Rex Knapp, both of whom, with agreement of council members said they were exceptionally pleased with the attendance and interest in the past weekend's Old Time Country and Bluegrass Musical Festival at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. Councilman Ken Nelson also noted the cooperation of the Siouxland Regional Transit System in facilitating visitor transportation for festival events.