Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday, October 10, with Mayor Swearingen and all councilmen present. Also at the meeting were Assistant City Clerk LeAnn Hojberg, Maintenance Supervisor Josh Otto, Municipal Liquor Store Manager Pete Paulson and Frank Thompson of Thompson Sanitation.
Thompson said the current contract is about to expire. He informed the council there would be a slight increase for the next three-year contract. The increase will be 25 cents per week per household. Thompson explained the service would remain on the same day and about the same pick-up times. Thompson was asked about the container sizes for households and replied there are three different sizes. They have 95, 65 and 35-gallon containers available. Thompson added that if any customer would like to change container size to give them a call at 507-256-4370. The council thanked Thompson for the good service he has been providing the city and moved to approve another three-year contract.
Otto informed the council the big generator on the north side of the Community Building had been gone through according to the maintenance agreement. However, to get the generator up and running properly, the company proposed around $7300. The council felt they would look into getting prices to fix the smaller generator the city has for backup. Otto next said there are about 28 water meters still not reading, down by 10. Otto says he has been working with Water Superintendent Johnson to try and correct the problems. Otto asked the council to keep an eye out for some forks for the backhoe. Otto thought the forks would be very useful and a used set usually runs around $ 1500.Paulson passed out his monthly numbers report. Paulson fielded a couple questions on the report. He asked the council to consider hiring another person at the MLS. The council moved to go ahead with interviews and hiring process.
Paulson informed the council that Coors Light along with the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association and the MLS have been collecting items for the local food shelf. If anyone has questions about the special going on, please contact Paulson at the MLS. Paulson noted that in November there will be a similar program held at the Municipal Liquor Store. He said the MLS will hold a
Halloween Party on October 26th with music and fun for everyone.
The council approved the claims for the evening totaling $16,514.90.
The council approved the minutes from the September 26, 2013 meeting.
Hojberg was next with her updates for the council. Hojberg explained that she has been working with Johnson & Dorhoffer to get a handle on the PERA and sales tax accounts. Hojberg will need to be listed on the PERA account so she can access the accounts in the future. Hojberg said she and Otto had picked up some free filing cabinets for the city, which will help for organization. Hojberg said she had the renewal contract for Workmen Comp for the city;, she will go over the figures with the local agent for the policy. Hojberg asked the council to consider having Radio Link finish the linking of the computers for the city. She will have Dan Petzinger come to a future meeting to explain all that is involved
Mayor Swearingen informed the council the light pole in the driveway going to the compost site will be removed next week. There will be a light going back up at a different site close by. Swearingen next told the council he had received the snow removal contract from the state. The council moved to keep the same rate of $95 per hour per unit to be charged to the state for the 5th Ave. snow removal. Swearingen informed the council that volunteers are needed for the October 19 cleanup day set by the Healthy Seniors group. Anyone wishing to help can show up on October 19 at the Community Building. There will be rolls, juice and coffee before going to work.
The next meeting of the Ellendale City Council will be October 24 at 7:30 p.m.