After amending the agenda to include Paulson with some updates for the council, Mayor Swearingen recognized Allie Larson to address the council. Larson said she was concerned about the water utility bills. Larson felt the City should be reviewing the water bills as they go out each month, and any that are abnormally high should be contacted. Clerk Louks pointed out to the council there are some 300 bills generated each month and it would be difficult to go through each one to note unusually high usage. Council members thought the homeowner should contact the City if they feel they have unusually high bills. It was noted that out of the 26 concerns about high water bills, all of them have been resolved by fixing some form of a water leak. Councilman Reiter passed out to council members a form he put together. This form would serve as a work order for such situations, noting date filed and date resolved. The council moved to adopt the form for use within the City.
Paulson was next on the agenda with his update on the Municipal Liquor Store. Paulson told the council he attended the Boot Camp put on by Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association. Paulson noted he came away with some new perspectives and ideas. Paulson informed the council he has been inquiring about some bands for Ellendale Days. Paulson noted the band that preformed on Saturday last year will not be available due to the changing of dates. There was a discussion about the City renting tents again for the event. Paulson will check into them.
The council approved the claims for the evening totaling $48,939.01.
The council approved the cash control, financial and disbursements register.
The council went over the minutes of February 14 meeting and approved them.
Clerk Louks had no items that required action for this meeting.
Mayor Swearingen was next. He asked the council to consider purchasing a new computer for the maintenance building. Swearingen told the council that the one currently in the building is very old and does not perform very well. After some discussion the council approved looking into the purchase. Swearingen next informed the council he would like to set up his mayoral office in the maintenance building. Swearingen felt he would like to be nearby for Otto when he has questions. The council was somewhat hesitant to have the Mayor’s office in the maintenance building, but after some discussion it was agreed Swearingen will set up office in the maintenance building for now. Swearingen told the Council the plow truck is at Interstate Motors for DOT inspection and upon the inspection it was noted the box frame was in poor condition. The frame is rusting from the inside out. Swearingen will inform the council on what the cost to repair will run, however, he said, the City may need to look for a different truck.
During council members’ discussion time, the council reviewed the commissioner assignments one more time. After some discussion the council voted 4-1 to undo the action taken at the previous meeting.
The council approved to pay all full-time employees the same $400 amount for health insurance supplement.
The next meeting of the Ellendale City Council will be on March 14 at 7:30 p.m.
