Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday February 14, 2013 with all council members present for the meeting. Also in attendance for the meeting were Steve Louks, Clerk, Alice Larson, Millie Paulson, Don Anderson, Joan Lester, Pete Paulson and Al Swain.
Paulson, Municipal Liquor Store Manager, asked the council during his report if a decision has been made about when to hold Ellendale Days. Paulson reiterated to the council that in order to lock in some entertainment for the weekend, a date should be set soon.
Councilman Groth told the council he had been in contact with the NRHEG Marching Band about the June 29 weekend and also had talked with the sportsmen’s group. Both were fine with the move. The fire department had also expressed approval of the June date. Larson and Millie Paulson, who are a part of the Lions Club, were asked their opinion about the date and they felt with sufficient notice the Lions should be good. Mayor Swearingen made a call to a member of the Ellendale Car Club, which was also meeting that evening. One member stopped by the meeting later and informed the council the date was good for them and the tractor pull which is usually held on Sunday. The Council made a motion to hold Ellendale Days on June 27-30 for 2013.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.