Paulson went over with the council the numbers for the liquor store for January. Paulson said the heating unit at the MLS went out and required about $2000 worth of repairs. Paulson reported that an employees’ meeting had been held. One item that came up was about employees getting paid twice a month instead of once a month. After some discussion the council moved to pay the MLS employees twice a month. Paulson reminded the council he will be attending Boot Camp put on by the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association February 18-20.
Anderson had some questions about his water bill. Anderson explained that since about November his meter readings and amount owed have been rising. Swearingen said he has had a lot of calls about bills being too high. The council held discussion about the
problem and surmised that the City should contact the meter company to see if they could send someone out to see if there is actually a meter problem or possibly a meter reading problem. It was noted that last month there about 30 meters that could not be read by the portable reader used. Councilman Goebel said he would contact the meter company and report back to the Council.
The Council approved all but one claim for the evening. The claim will not be paid until contact has been made with the company about the charges.
Clerk Louks had only one item for council consideration. The City has received the annual agreement from Royal Lawn about weed control for the City properties. The council approved the two applications as has been done in the past.
The Council approved the minutes from all prior meeting held, including the minutes of the interviews for the City Maintenance position.
Swearingen was next on the agenda. Swearingen started by informing the council the easement for the tile line to be installed in the Country View Estates has been approved. The paper work needs to finalized and signed. Swearingen next stated he has run out of salt for the sidewalks. Swearingen asked the Council for approval to purchase a pallet of the salt. The request was approved. Next Swearingen asked the council to consider getting a load of salt-sand mixture for the streets as he has run low, again due to weather. The council approved the purchase of 28 ton at $40 a ton. The last item on Swearingen’s list was to ask Councilman Goebel to step down as Street Commissioner due to conflict of interest. Swearingen claims he checked with the League of Cities staff and they advised him that since Goebel works for a company that does bidding and has worked for the City, that it could possibly be a conflict. Councilman Groth offered to switch duties with Goebel, as Groth is a commissioner for the MLS.
Councilmen concerns were next on the agenda. The first thing of concern was one councilman had received a call about the streets in the Country View Estates. The caller was wondering if the streets could get bladed to knock down some of the ice ridges that have formed lately. Goebel next brought up the idea of getting an air purifier for the clinic building. It has been an ongoing issue with the unpleasant odor inside the building. The council approved the purchase of the purifier.
Swearingen next asked if anyone else in attendance had any business for the council. Millie Paulson voiced concern about School Street. Paulson noted that the street is not very passable for walkers or drivers.
The Council next closed the meeting to discuss the applicants for the City Maintenance position.
The next meeting of the Ellendale City Council will be February 28 at 7:30 p.m.
