The overhead door is in on the building on 8th Ave. Swearingen also noted the sirens are working and have been locked up. Swearingen asked about mowing in Crown Ridge Park. Engel said he will speak with Mr. Brekke to see if he and the city would like to do the same arrangement as last year.
Swearingen asked the council if the city would consider purchasing some wood chips for the park. The last time the city put chips in, the cost was around $2200. The council asked Swearingen to shop around and also see if any other cities would like to share a load. Swearingen asked the council to purchase three loads of Class 5 and two loads of crushed rock with fines.
The council approved both requests. Swearingen told the council the city needs to finish work on both 2nd and 3rd St. He also reported the leak on 5th Ave. has been fixed except for the cement work, which will be done in the next couple of weeks.
Knudson was next on the agenda. He wanted to know if he needed a permit to put a 10x10 shed on his property. Knudson said he had his question answered by the city clerk earlier. He also wanted to let the council know that he likes the dog ordinance and the city needs to have one in place. Knudson also told the council that he thought the allegation about the dent in the pick-up was “petty.”
Knudson also wanted to know if the clerk’s cell phone number could be posted as the city is paying a portion of the bill. The council discussed that maybe the city will need to purchase two phones for the clerk and maintenance department or publish the numbers they currently have.
The council then recognized Eaker. She started by asking the council when the 2011 audit report will be finished. Engel explained the audit will be presented to the council at one of the meetings in June. Eaker next asked if the city’s payroll taxes were being paid and who was doing the calculating. Engel said the payroll taxes were being done by a firm in Blooming Prairie and the taxes were being deposited.
Eaker went on to ask about monthly expenditures and how they were handled. She pointed out there should be checks and balances along the way. Eaker asked about the $17,000 in delinquent utility bills for the year 2010. Engel said the delinquent bills had been turned over to the county and placed on the property taxes, which when paid the city receives their share.
Reiss updated the council on the Municipal Liquor Store. Reiss said the cement pad outside the north door is in bad shape. The council suggested that when the sidewalk is done on 5th Ave., perhaps the same contractor could pour the pad. Swearingen said he would talk with the contractor. Reiss requested that maybe the council could purchase a weather radio as it is difficult to hear the warning siren. The council moved to purchase three radios to put in each city building. Reiss asked that the council consider hiring more help.
Clerk Louks presented the claims for the evening to the council. The claims totaled $18, 436.53 and were passed as presented.
Louks next asked the council to look into a new door for the east side of the clinic building. The council also will check into gutters for the building.
The next meeting of the Ellendale City Council will be May 24 at 7:30 p.m.
