(KNZA)--The Brown County Historicial Society is interested in purchasing a tract of land from the city of Hiawatha.

Hiawatha City Administrator Mike Nichols informed the City Commission Monday evening that he was contacted by the Historical Society inquiring whether the city would be interested in selling about three acres between their Ag Museum site and the Fisher Center. 

Nichols said the Historicial Society has a donor who would like to put up a 100-by-60 foot building to house historic windmills. 

The commission voiced no objections.

There will be further talks between the city and Historical Society in the future.

Nichols informed the Commission that he was contacted by Blue Cross and Blue Shield regarding employee health and dental insurance renewal rates for the period beginning April 1. After several years of double digit increases, he said the rates will increase by 4.9% and .5%, respectively.

Nichols also told the commission that the position of Chief of Police has been advertised with five state associations and four national associations. As of Monday evening, he said the city had received inquires from two potential applicants.

In other action, the Commission approved awarding the bid for the landscaping and care of the downtown planters to Wolf River Nursery in the amount of $5,518.

The Commission also approved writing off about $543 in uncollectable utility debt and transfering more than $4,300 in past due utility billing debt to collections.

Local scouts were on hand as City Clerk Tish Sims read a proclamation, which was signed by Mayor Bill Collins, proclaiming the week of February 6 as Scouts-Boy Scouts of America Anniversary week.