February 6, 2017
The City Council of Comfrey met in regular session Monday, February 6, 2017 at 6:30 PM in the community center with all members present. Attorney Paul Muske was also present. Mayor Richter presided.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited.
The agenda was approved as presented.
January 3, 2017 regular meeting minutes were approved on motion of Arnsdorf, second by Evers and carried unanimously.
The following bills were approved on a motion by Schmitt, seconded by Kastner and carried unanimously.
| Berberich, Steve | Counter top, tack board for WTP, LED bulb | $ 66.86 |
| Bolton & Menk, Inc | Engineer Fees- WTP/Tower project | $ 5,569.40 |
| Braun & Borth Sanitation | Garbage Pick-up - Jan | $ 2,166.47 |
| Brown County REA | Electricity - Dec | $ 2,104.89 |
| Checks Ulimited | Checks and deposit books | $ 235.13 |
| Choice Financial | Replenish Petty Cash | $ 103.64 |
| Clements Lumber | Ice melt, shelving for WTP, door lock | $ 315.15 |
| Comfrey C-Store | Fuel | $ 403.68 |
| Comfrey Fire Dept | Expenses | $ 1,075.62 |
| Comfrey First Responders | Conference, EMT Refresher, med supplies | $ 849.29 |
| Comfrey Public School | Library Handicap Door -1/3 of cost | $ 1,567.49 |
| Crysteel Truck Equipment | 4 Cutting Edge for snow removal | $ 864.00 |
| Frontier | Telephone/Internet - Jan | $ 427.20 |
| Gopher State One Call | 1 line locate, Annual Fee | $ 101.35 |
| Hawkins | Tank demurrage | $ 15.00 |
| Library | Bills and Wages | $ 1,775.84 |
| Meyer, Jim | Adobe PDF exporter annual fee, mileage | $ 71.13 |
| Mike's Market | Batteries, soap, bags, cleaner | $ 22.51 |
| Minnesota Pollution Control | Wastewater Operations Conf Registration | $ 345.00 |
| Muske, Muske & Suhrhoff | Professional Services | $ 407.40 |
| Payroll Expense | Payroll Expense | $ 10,931.21 |
| Plunkett's | Quarterly Pest Contrel | $ 85.00 |
| Runnings | Dish towels, mop handles | $ 30.98 |
| Streicher's | Vest Carrier, shirt | $ 141.98 |
| T & C Service Center | City Truck Service, balancing beads | $ 141.99 |
| Utility Consultants, Inc | WWTP Tests | $ 190.50 |
| Verizon Wireless | Police Cell Phone - Jan | $ 78.35 |
January financial statement was reviewed and approved on motion by Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
The maintenance report was reviewed by Berberich.
Fire Chief Berberich reported the new CanAm side by side was delivered and they are very happy with it. The department appointed Rick Kastner as the new Safety Officer.
First Responder Captain Barnes reviewed her report. The First Responder Association will be holding a soup and chili fundraiser on March 5th.
Chief Meyer reviewed the police report.
The library report was reviewed. Arnsdorf reported they are still looking for a new library board member.
Review of liquor license was had. Attorney Paul Muske and Police Chief Meyer outlined the corrective actions required to be made by Alan Barns the owner of Comfrey Bar and Grill. Barnes chose to waive his right to a hearing and agreed to make the corrective actions listed. A motion was made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously to approve the waiver of the hearing set.
A resolution expressing acceptance and appreciation for a donation to the first responders of $85 in memory of Cyril Helget was approved on a motion made by Evers, seconded by Arnsdorf and carried unanimously.
Attorney Muske informed the council the Comfrey EDA is looking at a public sale of the property located at 205 County Road 16. The council discussed if the city was interested in the property for additional storage. The possibility of adding an addition to the current city maintenance building was also brought up as an option. Berberich will get an estimate for building an addition on the shop to help determine if the city should bid on the building going up for sale. A closed meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 5:30 in the Comfrey Community Center to discuss the possible purchase price of the property on a motion made by Kastner, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously. The EDA will be informed they can move forward with advertising for the bidding on the property.
A motion to purchase a literature display rack was made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Kastner and carried unanimously.
The 2016 annual financial report was presented by Clerk Kelly and approved on a motion made by Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
The August City Council Meeting was changed to August 2, 2017 at 6:30 PM in the Comfrey Community Center due to scheduling conflicts on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously for Kelly to attend the MCFOA conference in Red Wing on March 14-17, 2017.
The meeting was adjourned on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers.