Ellendale to investigate water tower
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
What’s exactly happening on top of the water tower in Ellendale?
They plan to find out.
According to Radio Link Internet owner Dan Petsinger, a visitor at the Aug. 8 city council meeting, some of the equipment atop the tower is still in use despite the council’s belief that it is not.
“I have pictures of everything on top of the tower,” said Petsinger. “I wanted to make sure the council takes a look at this because they’ve been up there a long time without a lease (with the city).”
Petsinger’s primary purpose for attending was to address an issue brought up at a previous meeting: Radio Link currently does not have a written contract with Ellendale, and the city’s wireless computers have been experiencing very slow speeds.
Petsinger spoke to only two councilmen and the mayor, as two council members were absent. Keith Langlie was also a visitor.
Petsinger said he has the equipment to speed up the city’s wireless service and that is could be installed Monday of this week. It was approved to have him do it.
As for the contract, the council said it must be revised by the city attorney before it can be signed. Petsinger said he’ll need to send it to his attorney for review.
And the equipment on top of the water tower?
Petsinger said some of it has been leased by another company and is currently being used despite the council’s belief that the owner is not using it. The council planned to investigate further.
Rick Johnson attended on behalf of Berlin Township, requesting the city go 50-50 on repairs to a road the city and township share. All agreed to wait until next year for the project.
While Johnson was there, councilman Scott Groth brought up the subject of the city’s compost site and the fact it is used by many Berlin Township residents. It was requested the township contribute $1,000 for its use of the site. Johnson said he’d bring it up at this week’s township meeting.
City clerk Tiffany Krueger said she’s talked to the city attorney regarding condemnation of a local property — which may or may not be inhabited at this time. The council set Aug. 28 for a codificiaton meeting with the city attorney.
Krueger said a new resident in town does not want garbage service required by the city. Mayor Russ Goette said it’s not a choice.
Krueger inquired how she should handle e-mail requests from individual council members.
“Does it all come from the council, or as individuals?” she asked.
“I would think most of this should come through here,” said Groth.
“It’s been a complaint in the past,” said councilman Steve Engel. “It makes sense to get it more uniform.”
The council passed Resolution 2019-01, authorizing transfer of $30,000 to the Municipal Liquor Store from the General Fund.
The council remains curious about when road repairs will be completed in town.
“They’re supposed to be there by Sept. 30,” said Engel.
No progress has been made on the mayor’s plan to meet with council members in New Richland, Hartland and Geneva.
Krueger felt the city can save money by not insuring its street lights, instead budgeting $500 per year for repairs.
The council talked about a request from Community and Economic Development to increase Marty Walsh’s hours from one day every other week to one day a week, which would double his salary to $26,150 annually.
The council talked at length about the Muni’s ongoing charge account at Lerberg Foods. It was decided to pay Lerberg’s the balance owed, $1,030.03, maintain better records regarding future charges, and make bi-weekly payments to Lerberg’s.
Goette thanked all the volunteers who helped with National Night Out.
Groth noted that a pile of dirt has been sitting on a lot in town for some time now. He also suggested sending Cindy Nelson $100 for everything she does to maintain flowers in the city; it was heartily approved.
In other action, the council:
• Approved the outlay of $1,101.60 to Russ Nelson Electric to replace a street light struck by lightning.
• Gave the green light to extend the city’s contract for rental of an ATV used by maintenance man Josh Otto, at a cost of $100 per month.
• Approved spending $4,224.35 to repair the city’s main water pump.