New Richland City Council
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
At its Monday meeting, the New Richland City Council gave its approval for a request by the Girl Scouts to place placards on storm sewers around the city. The project is part of the Centennial Take Action Project, which will coincide with the centennial celebration of Girl Scouting on Saturday, October 13, 2012. The message plate will say, “This drain if for rain only. Flows to waterways.” It is designed to remind people not to dump anything in a storm drain that eventually ends up in the rivers and streams. Contaminants such as gasoline, antifreeze, oil and other chemicals are dumped into storm sewers. At last count, there are approximately 100 storm drains in the city, 25 of them considered major drains.
New Richland Fire Chief Jeremy Parpart approached the council with a request to purchase a trailer for the department. The trailer will house the grain bin rescue equipment and other items needed in an emergency. The cost is $11,210, which will be paid for with recently donated funds.
Police Chief Scott Eads was next on the agenda with his report of 73 calls for service and an additional 48 contacts during the month of April.
“At the end of April and continuing into May, there have been numerous damage to property/vandalism reports,” said Eads. “These have been occurring on the weekends and it is believed juveniles out after curfew are the parties responsible. We are going to be strictly enforcing the curfew ordinance, adding additional coverage on weekends, and utilizing electronic surveillance devices to hopefully prevent future incidents.”
New Richland residents are reminded the curfew ordinance states persons 17 and under cannot be out after 10:30 p.m. any day of the week.
Eads requested the purchase of new citations, which have been mandated for all agencies in Minnesota. The forms are $850 for the minimum order of 1,000. The council approved the request.
Council members next adopted Resolution 12-10, which is a Joint Powers Agreement between the Police Department and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Monte Eastvold of Northland Securities gave a brief outline of the proposed improvement bonds refunding. By taking advantage of current interest rates, the city will save thousands over the life of the bonds. The council next adopted Resolution 12-11, which authorizes the refunding that should close on June 5, 2012.
In new business, 10 seasonal employees for St. Olaf Lake were approved. Duties will include lifeguards and operating the concession stand.
The next phase of the Odd Fellows building restoration project has been bid. Low bid received was from Colway Construction in Mankato for 138,890. The millwork will be done by Jim Finseth of New Richland. The council approved awarding the bid to Colway Construction and for Finseth to do the millwork.
A request for a street closing for Cedar Avenue on June 1st was approved.
Prior to adjournment, there was a brief discussion on the condition of city property. A work session with the city maintenance crew will be held on May 29, 2012 about 7:30 p.m. or following the regular council meeting.
