In preparation for the 24th annual Lyle Area Cancer Telethon, the Lyle City Council approved adding another door to the city maintenance building, where the event will be held.

Gary Ziegler, an organizer of the event, asked the city council for $655 for materials for the door, but said volunteers would take care of the labor. The door would be put in about 15 feet south of the bathroom.

Wayne Frank, city maintenance director, raised some concerns with the door. He said he is planning to install shelving where the door would be placed. He also was concerned that because that side of the building is not highly visible, vandals would try to use the door to break in.

"I don't want to be negative about it. I don't really want a door that's a spot for vandalism," he said.

Ziegler suggested the door could be barred shut when not in use, which would prevent anyone from breaking in.

Council members also agreed.

The Lyle Area Cancer Telethon, which takes place Jan. 16 and 18, is one of the top fund-raisers for the Eagles Cancer Telethon. Last year, $81,200 was raised and in the past 23 years the fund-raisers have gathered more than $344,000 for cancer research.

The council also looked into a request from the South End Bar and Grill for a special election for voters to decide if it could sell liquor on Sundays. Lyle residents voted down that proposal in November. Currently the restaurant can sell liquor 15 Sundays a year.

After going over state statutes, Mayor Ron Frank and City Clerk Diana DeBoer found that another special election cannot happen until six months after the first election.

Also, 20 percent of those that voted in the first election must submit a petition for a special election before the council can hold one, the mayor said.

In other business the council:

n Appointed Steven Baumann to fill a council spot vacated by Robin Meyer. Meyer was elected in November to begin serving on the city council in 2003, but she plans to move outside of city limits. Baumann had run for re-election and lost to Meyer by 12 votes.

n Certified the levy and budget for 2003. The levy for the general fund, factoring in state local government aid, is $46,265 for 2003, the mayor said. The budget for 2003 is at $58,000. The mayor said, however, that the budget will depend on local government aide from the state, which could change because of the $4.56 billion deficit the state is facing.

"The state is scary," said Baumann after the motion was passed.

"We don't have much control over that," the mayor responded.

n Approved a 10-week temporary position at the Lyle Library. The position is for four hours a week in the afternoons and pays $6 an hour. Library Director Deloris Frank thought a high school student age 16 and older could fill the spot.

n Appointed Dave Anderson, civil defense director, to represent the city of Lyle in a county Hazard Mitigation Plan.

n Approved the installation of shelving in the city maintenance building. Wayne Frank said the shelves will allow workers to store equipment more efficiently and allow for more floor space for vehicles. The shelving should come in under $1,000.

The Lyle City Council meets next Jan. 8.

n Met in closed session to discuss a minor with a tobacco use violation. Mayor Ron Frank said he could not say what the council decided during the session.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com