Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday, September 26, with Mayor Swearingen and all Council members present. Also at the meeting were LeeAnn Hojberg, assistant city clerk; Pete Paulson, Municipal Liquor Store Manager; and Dan Nelson, Mid-Continent Cable.
During the assistant clerk’s report, Hojberg proposed to Council members the new office hours for the city. These hours would be temporary for now. Starting October 2, 2013, office hours would be Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-10:30 a.m. Residents may also call and leave a message at (507) 684-2681. Also posted on the office door are some emergency numbers. The office hours will be temporary until the city clerk position is filled.
Nelson addressed the Council about the franchise agreement between his company and the city. Nelson explained that his company bought U.S. Cable in 2011. A new agreement was never done between the new provider and the city at that time. The city has been receiving money that was agreed upon in the old document. Nelson would like to have the city enter into a temporary agreement, good until January 1, 2014. Nelson said he hoped by that time the city and Midcontinent could have a new long-term agreement in place. The Council felt they would like to have legal counsel look a the agreement and have a decision by the next meeting.The Council reviewed the claims for the evening. A motion was made to approve the claims list as amended.
The Council approved the cash control and the disbursement register report.
Hojberg was next with her report. She explained she was still trying to get a handle on everything, but felt things were progressing well. Hojberg asked the Council’s permission to have the CPAs currently providing service to the city to be in-house for a couple hours the week of October 7. The Council brought compensation for Hojberg and felt she was to be paid the hourly rate of the past clerk. The council moved to approve the wage. Hojberg went over some non-action items with the council.
Swearingen told Council members he had been in contact with the city attorney about the reguest from Vibrant Life Church at the last meeting. Swearingen said there was still some research to be done on the subject matter for the city. Swearington told the Council he has been pursuing action for the property on 5th Ave., which was destroyed by fire.
Councilman Reiter passed out the updated job requirement form for the clerk/treasurer position. The Council reviewed the form and felt it was satisfactory. The council discussed some timelines and felt that all applications sould be in by October 21. The council will advertise the position and applications will be available at the Municipal Liquor Store. The Council will advertise the position as part-time to start with.
Councilman Groth brought up street sweeping in Crown Ridge. Swearingen said he would contact Steele County first, as they were the ones who swept the streets last year to reclaim the rock.
The council’s next meeting is October 10 at 7:30 p.m.