Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday, May 26 with Mayor Skroch, Councilmen Goebel, Lassahn, Groth present and Councilperson Kibler absent. LeeAnn Hojberg, city clerk, Josh Otto, maintenance, and two visitors were also in attendance.
During Hojberg’s report, she presented some ordinances the city attorney had prepared for viewing. The abandoned car ordinance that would replace 99-1 got the most attention from the council. The new ordinance, as Councilman Goebel said, “has some teeth to it”. The new ordinance would give the city the right to remove vehicles, once the owners have been notified and given the chance to remove them or make them street legal again. The council moved to replace the old ordinance with 2016-2. The new ordinance will be available to read and a summary will be in the paper.
Robyn Snow was present to ask the council for a building permit to erect a replacement deck on her home. Snow had all of the drawings and setbacks for the council to review. The council granted the request.
Logan Busho, representing the fire department, was next on the agenda. Busho asked the council to release some funds the department has in an Ameriprise account. This money will be used to purchase new radios. The council moved to release the money. Busho next asked the council if they had considered budgeting for a new fire truck, which had been brought before the council earlier. Mayor Skroch felt the city has a lot on its plate right now, however, the city should start some long-range planning for such purchases. After some more discussion, the council asked Busho to bring some truck prices forward and the council can start the budgeting process this fall. Busho said the department was still getting some prices together for inclosing the one door on the fire hall.
Otto told the council the new tractor was in and has many new features. Otto had a quote for sealing up the old well next to the fire hall. The bid was for$ 9,200. The council decided to take no action at this time and would like another quote. Otto got a price on trade-in for the snowblower used on the tractor. The new one would have an 8’ shoot and would reach better, compared to the old 7’ one. The council will look at this again in the fall, closer to the snow season.
Hojberg had some information from the city attorney and the council moved to have all matters go through the attorney, Mark Rahrick. Hojberg informed the council that filings for city offices will be from August 2 through August 16 at 5 p.m. There will be two council positions open along with the mayor’s seat. Also, along the election line, noted Hojberg, if anyone is interested in being an election judge please contact the city office. There will be some upcoming election training. Hojberg had another quote for cleaning the carpets in the two city buildings. The council approved the cleaning, which would run around $700.
The council approved the claims for the evening.
The council approved the minutes from the May 12 meeting.
Council members discussed the grass height, for some properties need to be mowed. The council asked Otto to note any lots around town so they can be notified. The council looked over some of the other rewritten ordinances and will table them for a future meeting.
Mayor Skroch again brought up the water main on Main Street, and how will the city pay for it. Discussion was held on what could be reduced in the budget.
The next meeting for the Ellendale City Council will be on June 9 at 7:30 p.m.