Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday May 23, with Mayor Swearingen and all council members present. Also attending the meeting were Steve Louks, City Clerk; Pete Paulson, Liquor Store Manager; and Matt Arthur.
The amended agenda was approved for the evening and Paulson was first on the agenda. He gave the council an update on activities that will be taking place at the MLS during Ellendale Days, slated for June 27-30 this year.
Paulson told the council Luverne’s Concertina will be playing on June 27 from 6-9 p.m. on stage along with food specials. On June 28, the band Hobo Nephews will be on stage and on Saturday Black Water Alley will be featured. Paulson also noted that tables, tents and portable toilets have been arranged.
Paulson next told the council that shirts for the staff have been ordered and should be in in a couple of weeks. Paulson informed the council he would like to seek additional help for the MLS. Paulson said with summer coming (hopefully), the staff will be asking for time off for vacations. Paulson also made one recommendation for a hiring, which the council approved.The council next reviewed the OSHA citations the city had been given. Swearingen told the council that Josh Otto had been busy putting together the Minnesota Safety Data Sheet binder for the city. Swearingen noted Otto had all the different chemicals used in the city listed in the book. Otto will need to have a binder for each city building with the particular chemicals in use in each of those buildings. Swearingen said the repair items had also been done. The only items left were the Right to Know and the training meeting.
Clerk Louks has talked with Riverland College about doing the training for city employees. Riverland would offer the training for about $400. This would be a one evening training with the fire department, municipal liquor store employees and the rest of the city employees. The council approved having Riverland do the training. Louks also told the council that Riverland would help Ellendale with the development of an on going program for the city to stay in compliance. Councilman Groth told the council he had talked with the human resource person for the City of Albert Lea and he also would be willing to work with the city to develop an on going program. Swearingen also noted that Otto had gotten the lock-out/tag-out done.
The council approved the claims for the evening.
The council reviewed the Cash Control, Financial Statements, along with the Disbursement register. After review the council approved the items.
The council approved the minutes from the May 09, 2013 meeting.
Louks had no items for the council.
Swearingen reported the new plow truck had been picked up and was ready for use. Swearingen reminded the council to go to Owatonna and get their picture badges that would be required in any emergency in the city. A thank you was read from the summer recreation program for the city’s contribution.
During open discussion, the council talked about the needs for the Community Building. The kitchen, roof and halls were all discussed. The council will get some price quotes for the different areas and bring to a future meeting.
The next meeting of the Ellendale City Council will be June 13 at 7:30 p.m.