Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City met Thursday May 9 with Mayor Swearingen and all Council members present. Also at the meeting was Steve Louks, Clerk; Pete Paulson, Manager at Municipal Liquor Store; and Josh Otto, Maintenance.
It was during Otto’s maintenance report that the issue of a plow truck was brought to the council’s attention. The city had been doing some looking around at different trucks that were available. After discussion, Councilman Goebel and Otto both thought a 1999 Ford was the best truck they looked at. Both mentioned the entire truck had been kept exceptionally clean. The frame and all moving parts were in good order. The cost of the truck is $39,990. Mayor Swearingen said he had talked with First National Bank and gave some options on payment plans. The council moved to purchase the Ford from Boyer Ford and use the payment plan of four years with payments being $10,799 annually.
Also during Otto’s report the council heard that Otto had been part of a Webinar last week, which covered the topic of Minnesota Safety Data Sheets labeling that is required by OSHA. Otto told the council that for $499 a year, the city could use the provider’s service to download and locate required MSDS sheets. The council approved the expenditure to use the service. Otto asked the council to approve the purchase of some chain saw safety equipment. Otto had two prices for the items, helmet with shield and chaps, a total of $164. The council approved the purchase.The next item on the agenda was the OSHA inspection findings and actions required. Mayor Swearingen told the council the city had a list of items that included all departments. The city is required to make arrangements for compliance within 20 days of receiving the certified letter.
The city will need to hold training as part of the compliance. Discussion was held about the training, and contact will be made with neighboring cities to see how they do their training.
Paulson started his report for the Municipal Liquor Store by passing out his weekly, monthly and year to date spread sheet. Paulson noted that the MLS had
a very good week the previous week. Paulson was asked about the shortages of some items that occurred during the weekend. Paulson told the council he will try to order enough but there is a limited space for some frozen items. Paulson reported that things were coming -together for Ellendale Days, which will be held this year from June 27-30.
The council approved the claims list for the evening.
The council approved the minutes from the April 25, 2013 meeting.
Clerk Louks had two action items for the council to consider. The first was to approve a raise for bartenders from $9.20 to $9.25 according to the Pay Equity report; the council approved the raise. Next the clerk told the council that Mayor Swearingen had turned in 15.25 hours for helping during the recent snow event. After some discussion the council approved the request.
Mayor Swearingen had two items for the council to consider. Swearingen received a call from Community Education Director Marilyn Dobberstien about the annual contribution the city makes toward Summer Recreation. The council approved the expenditure of $500 for Summer Recreation. Next Swearingen said he had received a call wondering about the connection of the water line to some apartments off of Second
Street. Owner of the apartments, Steve Louks, told the council that he intends to get the connection made this summer.
The next meeting of the Ellendale City Council will be May 23, 2013 at 7:30 pm.