By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met April 28 with Mayor Engel, Councilmen Goebel, Reiter and Groth present. Absent was Councilman Helland. Also in attendance were Clerk Louks, Jeff Johnson, Maintenance Supervisor Swearingen and Steele County Sheriff Lon Thiele.
Thiele was present to ask if the council had any questions or concerns for the newly-elected sheriff. Mayor Engel asked the sheriff if he had found or brought with him any new contracts between the county and Ellendale. Thiele responded he had looked into the matter but did not bring anything with him.
Thiele also told the council about the 800 mhz meeting he and other county officials attended. Thiele explained that because Steele County is further along in the process, the county will leapfrog over Rice County.
Thiele was excited to report the sheriff’s department will hold a bicycle rodeo for kids in grades 4-6. The bike safety course will be held May 6th at the Ellendale building. Kids will be encouraged to bring their bikes to school that day so that they can participate in the training. Thiele told the council there will be some surprises for the kids and that a letter will be sent home with each child in grades 4-6.
Other agenda items for April 28th, 2011:
Johnson gave his monthly fire department report to the council. Johnson handed out the monthly expense report and the council approved expenses of $1885.68. The council thanked Johnson for coming.
Dan Sorum, representing the Farmers Market, was next to speak. Sorum reported the market would like to hold the weekly event at the same location. Sorum said the market had better traffic last year, and overall most vendors were happy with the location. Sorum would like to have the council’s approval to hold the market in the same location as last year, along with the O.K. to allow him to charge a one-time fee of $5 to each participating vendor. The Farmers Market will probably start the first Saturday in June. Swearingen noted he was going to work with the Farmers Market on some signage. The council approved the location request from the Farmers Market.
The Council approved the minutes from the April 14, 2011 regular meeting and the minutes of the April 18, 2011 Local Board of Appeals as presented.
The claims for the evening totaling $26,990.23 were approved as presented.
The council went over the Financial, Investment and Disbursements reports. All were approved as presented.
Mayor Engel went over his items for the evening. Engel started with the mowing in Emerald Park in Crown Ridge. Engel and council members felt the current mowing equipment would not take extra work. Engel stated Arlen Brekke has the equipment to do the mowing. The council moved to have Brekke do the mowing in the park at a rate of $75 a time and a maximum of 10 times. Engel next brought to the attention of the council the vacating of an alley in Crown Ridge. After some discussion the council felt they should move ahead with the vacating and leaving a 15-foot access. Engel will have the city attorney start the process. Engel told the council legal council was working on the franchise agreement with the gas company. The council reviewed the street lighting process in new developments and decided that past practice should be followed with the developer putting in the lighting.
Clerk Louks was next. Louks stated the water report was finished and will be published in the paper as required. Louks noted that everything was in order. Louks told the Council that the pump for the lift station on 8th Ave. will take $4140.34 to repair. The question was asked if the city could buy the pump that is currently in the lift station. Louks responded the company did not offer that as an option, but he will ask. After discussing the pumps, the council will have Clerk Louks look into the option of having auto-dialing put on all of the lift stations in the city.
The council was given a report from David Brown Assoc. regarding water rates in the city. The report suggests the city will need to raise the rates in order to break even. The council will bring it up in a future meeting. Louks told the council a group of people living in Thompson Oaks would like to address the council about getting water from the city. The group will likely be on the agenda in the future.
In the open discussion for council members, Councilman Reiter asked about the proposal for fixing the additional outdoor warning siren for the city. The estimate was for around $1800 and will be ready for the 800 mhz switch. The council approved the fixing. Councilman Goebel gave an update on the Municipal Liquor Store. Goebel reported that the end is in sight, waiting for some flooring and fixtures.
The next meeting of the Ellendale City Council will be May 12th at 7:30 pm.
