The Jan. 05, 2015 Grand Meadow City Council meeting started with the Oath of Office for the new council members. The meeting was then called to order by Mayor Jim Blomgren. Council members present were Tory Paul, Travis Warmka, Sandy Fenton and Tony Warmka. Employees present were Jim Richardson, Tom Bleifus and Sandy Elliott. Reporter Marceil Skifter was present, along with Tim Fenton, Brenda Blomgren, Betty Sween, Dan Sween, and Shawn Vogt-Sween City Attorney. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA. Motion by Travis to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Sandy, motion approved 5-0.
- Approve
Additions & Corrections to Agenda
- Approve
Minutes
- Approve
General Fund Bills at $132,411.63
- Accept Olson
Memorial Fund Bills & Ambulance Bills
ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & POLICIES: Resolution to Accept Donations for the Community Center in the amount of $1,990, motion by Tory, seconded by Travis, motion carries unanimously. Resolution to Accept Donations for the Pine Lawn Camping in the amount of 1,764.75, motion by Sandy, seconded by Tory: motion carries unanimously.
REPORTS: The police report was accepted as printed. Jim also had stats for the year of 2014. He informed the council the only thing left open was a theft of a mini buke but there is a suspect. The police department is handing out tickets for parking on the streets in the snow curfew: 7 tickets were handed out. The 2014 budget looks a little out of order due to the squad car and new computer and radio.
Water/Sewer: The tractor is fixed: the dealer was wondering if we thought about trading anytime soon. Tom asked the council what they would suggest on getting extra help for snow removal. Dan Sween said he would be interested in helping. Travis said the new skid loader is available and are just waiting on delivery. There was 424 hours on the old skid steer but the tires are less than what they expected. The new skid steer is the same size, just no back wiper. There is one resident that is refusing the install of a new water/sewer meter. She was concerned that the meter would cause a fire or possibly cause cancer. We asked our salesman to contact her with no positive results. City Attorney Sween previously sent her a letter and her response was that she was not refusing entry, just not the install. The council unanimously agreed that is one and the same. The council decided to send one more letter with the option of her not letting this install to take place she will lose service. City Attorney wasn’t sure on this and is going to check into it. Sandy explained according to MN Rural Water and LMC, as long as the water is not used for heating it can be shut off in the winter months.
Fire Dept.: The stand pipe for water filling at the fire station is not installed as of yet. Tom is going to talk to Voigt Plumbing. The 2 new recruits that were approved in the Dec. meeting will be taking their place right away.
Clerk: Sandy asked the council for approval to change the accounting firm to Schaefer-Smith out of Rochester. Tory motioned for approval, seconded by Sandy Fenton, motion carries unanimously. The 2015 Committee Members were presented, Travis motioned for approval, seconded by Tory: motion carries unanimously.
Betty Sween was present with questions on her water bill. Sandy had printed up the reports of past invoices/payments. There is still a question on a payment and Sandy will do further research. Betty’s water bill had an adjustment due to the meter malfunction.
Dan Sween asked on the results from the poll that was taken on the whistle. He was curious how the figure of the polling came out. The voters had several options they could vote for. They could only vote one time but for several options at that time.
Travis asked on the Meyerhofer Steel land deal. Shawn said there is an update that she will forward to Sandy and she can forward to the Council. Things are still moving forward on this.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Travis, seconded by Tory, motion carries unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM.
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Sandy Elliott, Clerk/Treasurer
Drafted by Sandy Elliott, Grand Meadow City Clerk/Treasure