Care center administrator Mikenzi Hebel requested approval of the financial reports she presented, which was given. The funds for flood damage from FEMA are expected in the next 30 days. Hebel reported a census of 50, which has been consistent for four months. The center has had ongoing fund-raising efforts for a whirlpool tub and an ice cream machine. The council agreed with Hebel that enough funds were now in place to order both the tub and the ice cream maker.
Fire chief Jeremy Parpart informed the council the old tanker is leaking and he presented an estimate for repair. It was decided to have the truck hauled down to Luverne, MN for repair and back at a cost not to exceed $500.
Parpart also inquired about increased fees for specialized rescues.
“Any time we have to perform traffic control (for a helicopter landing), we would like to bill for the service,” said Parpart.
Discussion was held about current ordinances and fee schedules. Action was tabled until a later meeting.
Tom Olinger from Abdo, Eick & Meyers presented his proposal for city audit services for the next three years at a cost of $59,175. The council decided to wait until possibly after the first of the year to take action.
Seeing no one wishing to be heard, Mayor McShane closed the public hearing at 7:34 p.m. The council adopted Resolution 11-27 (Flood Assistance Amendment).
Jeff Reese from the Quad Cities Baseball Association outlined concerns regarding the outfield fence. Due to the age of the fence, it has become a safety issue, especially on the bottom, which heaves up every spring. The QCBA would like to have a new fence installed yet this fall, prior to the ground freezing.
“The association raised $8,700 from the recent soybean drive,” said Reese. “We are willing to put that towards a new fence.”
Reese and the council discussed several options pertaining to costs. The council inquired if just the outfield portion of the fence (left field foul pole to right field foul pole) could be done and in the future, the entire field would be enclosed. The council explained the 2012 budget has been set and only a small amount was set aside for capital expenditures at Legion Field. Finally, the council agreed to provide $3,000 towards the project and gave its approval to have the QCBA put up a new fence.
New Richland resident Harvey Radke briefly outlined the results of a recent Community Growth Initiative meeting.
Radke was invited back to a future council meeting to provide a more in-depth briefing.
The next meeting of the New Richland City Council will be Monday, November 28 at 6:30 p.m.
