Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday April 25 with Mayor Swearingen, councilmen Lassahn, Goebel and Groth present. Also attending the meeting was Eric Haefner-City Engineer, Josh Otto-Maintenance, Steve Louks-Clerk and Don Anderson.
Eric Haefner, engineer with Bolten & Menk, was present to review options for street repair. Haefner said he had taken a tour of town with Mayor Swearingen and Josh Otto, City Maintenance. After the tour, Haefner said, he went back to his office and put together a proposal. Haefner noted there were three streets worse off than many others.
They were, in no certain order, 5th St., 4th St. and 2nd St. Mayor Swearingen told the council that 5th St. should be considered since the church there would also like to resurface and the projects could coordinate together. Haefner had some preliminary numbers for the council on the three areas.
Option #1 was 5th Street- $258,460 included storm sewer, water main replacement, curb and gutter 30’ width and street construction. Option #2 was 4th Street- $250,725 included storm sewer, curb and gutter 30’ width, water main replacement and street construction. Option # 3 was 2nd Street- $404,750 included one block of water and sewer replacement, storm sewer, curb and gutter 36’ width, street construction and one block of mill and overlay along with spot curb and gutter repair.
The council discussed options on how to finance the street work. Haefner suggested that the council bring in an expert to inform the council on different options. Haefner will make the contact on behalf of the council.
The agenda was amended to include Don Anderson, who was present to talk about his utility bill. Anderson informed the council after a new water meter was installed, his utility bill has decreased dramatically. Anderson was wondering if the council would waive the increases he saw on his bill the past several months. Otto intervened that the person who was going to pick up his old meter and examine it has not showed up yet, and will be stopping this week. The council told Anderson that they would like to see the findings of the meter company before making their final decision.
The council moved to accept the 2012 Drinking Water Report that was issued by the Minnesota Department of Health. The report stated that the City drinking water showed no violations according to Federal drinking water standards. The entire report can be seen on line at www.health.state.mn.
Steve Louks was next with his items for the council. Louks asked the council if they would like to furnish a portable toilet for the Park again this year. The council approved the expense. Next Louks told the council that Thien Well had done an inspection on the pumps used on the City’s wells. Louks noted that Thien Well suggested that the pumps be pulled for next year’s inspection as they are now six years old.
Josh Otto, maintenance, briefed the council that a search for a new plow truck was still ongoing.
Mayor Swearingen was next. Swearingen told the council that there was a tree in the Park which needed to come down, as it is hollow in the middle. Swearingen told council members that OSHA had been in town again and will be sending the City a list of violations to be fixed. The City has twenty-one days from receipt of the report to correct the violations. Swearingen said he had been asked if there were any projects a youth group could do for the City. The council suggested raking in the Park.
During council discussion two items were brought up. A street light on the corner of 5th Ave. and 3rd St is blinking on and off. Next, the council wanted to remind owners of pets and owners of golf carts that a permit or license is required. Both can be obtained at the City Clerks Office.
The next meeting of the Ellendale City Council will be on May 9, 2013 at 7:30 pm.