Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday, July 25 with Mayor Engel and all council members present. Visitors included Eric Haefner of Bolten & Menk, Shannon Sweeney of David Brown & Assoc. and Pete Paulson, Manager, Ellendale Municipal Liquor.
Mayor Swearingen asked for a motion to approve the agenda as printed.
The first item on the agenda dealt with street improvement projects the City is contemplating. Haefner, with Bolten-Menk, the City’s engineering firm, was present to answer questions. Also present was Sweeney, from David Brown & Assoc., who was there to help answer financial questions.
The council has been looking at three different areas within the City they feel needs reconstruction done. The areas include 2nd Street, from 6th Ave. to 8th Ave., 4th Street from 6th to 8th Ave. and 5th Street from 5th Ave. to 7th Ave. Projections show all three projects would run $1,020,000. Under this scenario it is proposed to raise the sewer fees from $ 16.99 to $25.61 and there would be an increase on property taxes of 11%. There would be utility improvements along these streets where needed. Under a different scenario the council looked at the numbers if the City were to do just 5th and 4th Streets. The cost of these two streets would run around $550,000. The tax impact would be 6% and the sewer fees would go from $16.99 to $21.01. Sweeney pointed out to the council that it is not wise to do projects under the $500,000 mark if the City needs to borrow or bond for the work. Haefner pointed said any hope of getting work done during 2013 is gone. However, both Sweeney and Haefner noted, if the City gets all the preliminary work done now, the bidding process could happen in February which normally gets the lowest bids for the year. After some discussion the council felt they should try to identify which areas need the work done first and try to hold the costs down.Sweeney told the council they should always consider the loan deficit the City has.
The council approved the claims as submitted for the evening totaling $176,290.93.
The council approved the Cash Control, Financial Statement and the Disbursement register.
The council reviewed the budget report for the first half of 2013. Clerk Louks was asked how the City stands right now. Louks noted that the City has taken in approximately 45% of revenues and has expended about 40% of budgeted items.
The council approved the minutes from the July 11, 2013 meeting.
Clerk Louks reported to the council that the City has received a proposal from Riverland Community College. Riverland proposes to develop and implement a city-wide (AWAIR) program and develop and deliver required training modules. These services would be implemented due to the OSHA inspection earlier this year. The council approved the contract with Riverland to help the City get the programs going.
Mayor Swearingen had only one item for the council. Swearingen told the council he has been asked several times about late fees on utility bills. After a brief discussion the council approved taking the late fee off the utility bills.
Paulson reported that the staff member who will be on maternity leave has indicated she will not be returning to the Municipal Liquor Store. Paulson was looking for council approval to look for additional help. The council gave Paulson the go ahead to search for more help.
During open discussion it was brought up about the street lights that are not working properly. Swearingen told the council he has been in contact with the company that will do the work.
The next meeting of the Ellendale City Council will be on August 8 at 7:30 p.m.