March 2, 2017

The City Council of Comfrey met in regular session Thursday, March 2, 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.

February 6, 2017 regular meeting minutes and February 15, 2017 special meeting minutes were approved on motion of Arnsdorf, second by Schmitt and carried unanimously.

The following bills were approved on a motion by Schmitt, seconded by Kastner and carried unanimously.      

Advanced Systems Toner for workroom printer  $          49.22
Braun & Borth Sanitation Garbage Pick-up - Feb  $     2,166.47
Brown County REA Electricity - Jan  $     2,133.02
Clements Lumber Garage dr springs,filter, bags, paper towels  $        428.49
Comfrey C-Store Fuel  $        330.23
Comfrey Fire Dept Expenses  $        585.23
Comfrey Fire Relief Association 2017 Pension Contribution  $     4,000.00
Comfrey First Responders Vaccination  $          40.00
Comfrey Times Publications  $        551.00
Frontier Telephone/Internet - Feb  $        431.95
Hawkins Tank demurrage, chemicals  $     1,396.93
Indoff Incorporated Adding machine tape  $            7.49
Kelly, Tammy Community Center - Creamer  $          27.58
Library Bills and Wages  $     3,059.87
League of MN Cities Two PATROL Subscription  $        180.00
MN DNR Ecological & Water Resources 2016 water use fees $149.57
MN Dept of Labor & Industry Air Compressor Inspection  $          20.00
Minnesota Department of Health Quarterly water service connection fees  $        311.00
Muske, Muske & Suhrhoff Professional Services  $        169.50
Payroll Expense Payroll Expense  $   10,604.64
Peterson, Don Repair of police dept guns  $        152.76
Streicher's Police Dept Equipment  $        941.50
US Postal Services Envelopes -Window additional cost  $          23.25
Utility Consultants, Inc WWTP Tests  $        190.50
Utility Deposit Refunds Utility Deposit Refunds/interest  $        150.74
Verizon Wireless Police Cell Phone - Feb  $          78.35

 

            February financial statement was reviewed and approved on motion by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously. Clerk Kelly notified council an adjustment was made to the December 31, 2016 ending balance total to reflect the council approved transfer of $16,769.84 from the capital equipment fund to the general for the updates on the park shelter.

The maintenance report was reviewed by Berberich. The wind had done some damage to the shingles on buildings at the North Park so a claim was turned in to LMCIT. Berberich will bring cost estimates for shingles and steel to the next council meeting. The trailer is also in need of 4 new tires at a cost of $290. A motion was made by Kastner, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously to purchase the new tires.

Fire Chief Berberich reported Craig Fredin retired from the fire department on February 28, 2017 after 36 years of service.  The Red Cross has asked the fire department to help in a smoke detector campaign in April. Berberich will be attending a meeting tonight for additional details.

No First Responder report.

Chief Meyer reviewed the police report. He has had a busy month with some involved cases. Alan Barnes of Comfrey Bar and Grill was contacted regarding one of the corrective action items not being completed from the agreement. The council required action to be taken immediately by Barnes towards completing the corrective action item.

The library report was reviewed. A motion was made by Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously to appoint Pat Callanan to the Library Board to complete the term expiring on 12/31/2018 initially vacated by Anna Nehring.

Attorney Muske notified the council the property at 205 County Road 16 N was sold to Glen Schuster for the highest bid of $35,500. There were a total of two bidders on the property.

A resolution expressing acceptance and appreciation for a donation to the first responders of $1500 from the Darfur Sportsman Club and a donation of $375 to the Comfrey Area Library of $375 in memory of Florence Ennis was approved on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously. 

A purchasing agreement to join the MN Department of Administration Purchasing Cooperative was reviewed and approved on a motion made by Kastner, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Evers, seconded by Arnsdorf and carried unanimously to approve city employees to attend the 2017 Safety and Loss Control Workshops sponsored by the League of Minnesota Cities on April 5, 2017 in Morton, MN at a cost of $20 per person.

A discussion was had on things needed for the community center that would replace broken or missing items such as roasters, silverware, serving dishes etc. A motion was made by Kastner, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously to spend up to $1000 on replacement items for the community center. The council also asked to look into the cost of replacing the dishwashing system.

The council also recognized and congratulated Steve Berberich for receiving the 2016 Wastewater Operations Award and Gary Richter as one of the new Region Nine Commissioners for Brown County.

The meeting was adjourned on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers.