NR Council turns down offer for old library
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
After opting to close the meeting and discuss the issue among themselves, the New Richland City Council came back with a unanimous decision on what to do with the old NR Library building.
They're going to wait.
Near the end of Monday's regular meeting at NR City Hall, a full council and Mayor Christine Gislason met for approximately 10 minutes in closed session to consider an offer made to purchase the building, which many community members hoped would be donated to the NR Area Food Shelf.
"At this time, we're going to wait for further offers," said Gislason as the meeting was reconvened and then adjourned.
It was the final item of the evening in what turned out to be a rather lively agenda.
Included was the annual visit from Waseca County Commissioners and other officials, including Commissioners Jim Peterson and Mike Hintz, Nathan Richman of the Highway Dept., Mark Lieferman, Zoning and Planning, and Laura Elvebak.They gave brief reports. Peterson said the county's 2014 levy is set for $11.86 million, an increase of 4.0 percent, below the maximum allowed 4.8.
"We still need to cut $837,000," said Peterson.
Richman talked about options on updating County Road 12 from WFS east to Hwy. 13.
"It's up to the funding" what will be done, said Richman.
Lieferman talked about a possible travel center on property west of Waseca between the ethanol plant and Old Hwy. 14, among other things.
In his report for Peoples Service, Brad Field talked about quotes for portable generators for lift stations. They ranged from $22,000 to $30,000.
City Clerk Wayne Billing noted there's not enough money in the sewer budget to cover it at this time.
Field was told to look into the cost of used generators.
As for the Wastewater Treatment Facility, Field said, "The plant, lift stations are running good."
The council approved the cost of street pipe cleaning and approved Field's report.
Much time was devoted to NR Ambulance Director Jennie Johnson's report, most of it surrounding the request made at the previous council meeting to hire an outside party to handle billing and paperwork, tasks currently performed by Assistant City Clerk Corrine Schuller.
Representatives from the company, Working For Professionals, were at the meeting with contract in hand, to the surprise of council members, who had plenty of questions.
"You need to explain what your services can provide for us," said Gislason.
"How will it increase revenues?" inquired Councilperson Amy Ihrke.
The council was told the company could increase revenue for the city in a number of ways, making sure everything was handled expediently, keeping current with software and billing the maximum amount allowed, among other things.
Asked Councilman John Hullopeter, "Can we give you 90 days of (already completed) trip sheets, and you show us how you can make us more money on that?"
Contracts with the company usually are for one year, but council members were told that time period is negotiable.
The service would cost the city approximately $5,000 per year, while saving the city approximately five hours per week. It was not discussed how such a move would affect the assistant city clerk’s hours.
Johnson was asked her thoughts.
"I'd like to give it a try," she said.
The council took no action at this time.
Johnson's request to purchase matching shirts for department members was approved at a cost of up to $355.
NR Care Center Administrator Lyn Sebenaler gave her report, which included accounts payable/financials, an update on money market investments and the 2014 budget for the center.
Sebenaler said NRCC is going with Blue Cross/Blue Shield for health care beginning Oct. 10. Premiums will go down, said Sebenaler, but overall costs will be up because nine more employees will be on the plan.
Sebenaler said the center's computer server needs to be replaced. The current one, which has a determined "shelf life" of three to five years, is seven years old. A new one would cost in the $18,000 range. No action was taken.
A request by Sebenaler to contract with an on-line service dealing with hazardous materials for $160 a month was met with skepticism by the council. They want to look into it more before approving it.
The council will next meet Monday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.