Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday August 23, with Mayor Engel and all council members present. Also in attendance for the meeting was Steve Louks, City Clerk, and Pete Paulson, Municipal Liquor Store Manager.
The city council took on the yearly task of determining how much and what is needed in the city to set the tax levy for the year 2013. The council felt that streets are a major concern for the upcoming years and would like start doing projects in stages. Mayor Engel pointed out to the council that the backhoe will be paid for this year and that will help a little. The council reviewed the interim budget report prepared by Clerk Louks for the meeting. After some discussion the council moved to leave the levy the same as 2012, which is $307,118.00. This amount will be sent to county for certification.
The council reviewed the fire department’s new Relief Association bylaws. As explained to the council at a prior meeting, the major difference will be in the time it takes an individual to get vested in the fire department. The council moved to accept the new bylaws for the fire department.
Paulson was present to update the council on a couple of items at the MLS. Paulson asked the council if they would look into adding another phone line at the MLS. Paulson stated that it gets backed up at times when someone may be using the ATM and an employee may be trying to use the credit card machine at the same time, while yet another may be tracking an order over the phone. Councilman Groth will contact Frontier to get a price or options to better the MLS. Paulson had a recommendation for the hiring of Jessica Tuttle. The council approved the hire.
The council reviewed the claims list for the evening for $ 11,574.60. The claims list will now include the fire department claims as well, mentioned Clerk Louks. The claims included some cement curb work done for which the maintenance department had given the O.K. The claims were approved for payment.
The minutes from the August 09, 2012 meeting were approved as presented.
The council reviewed the cash control, financial, and disbursement reports for the month. The reports were approved as presented.
Clerk Louks had only one item for council approval. That item was to approve the resolution for the transfer of funds from the general fund to the liquor fund. The council approved the resolution.
Mayor Engel also had just one item for the night, which was looking into the truck parking ordinance in the city. It was stated that there have been some complaints about trucks parking in residential areas overnight or during the day for long lengths of time. The council will look into the matter.
During open discussion it was noted that there were some awfully big tree stumps at the compost site. A councilman was wondering if anyone knew who had dropped them off.
The council also discussed the future of the maintenance department. It was noted that with Swearingen running for mayor, uncontested, the council would like to see Swearingen put his letter of resignation in for January 1, 2013. This would allow the council time to hire a new person and let Swearingen train that person. The council will approach Swearingen on the idea.
The next meeting of the Ellendale City Council will be September 13, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
