December 2, 2013
The City Council of Comfrey met in regular session Monday, December 2, 2013 at 7:00 PM in the community center with all members present. Mayor Richter presided.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited.
The Public Hearing for property located in BashawTownship, Brown County, MN to be annexed to the City of Comfrey on its Western boundary was opened by Mayor Richter.
Nobody appeared with an objection. The hearing was closed on motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.
Ordinance #171 of the City of Comfrey, Minnesota, annexing land located in BashawTownship, Brown County, Minnesota pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 414.033 subdivision 2(3), permitting annexation by Ordinance was passed and adopted on a motion by Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously to recess the meeting until Monday, December 9th, at 7:00 pm to be held in the community center.
The City Council of Comfrey met on December 9, 2013 at 7:00 PM to reconvene the meeting from December 2, 2013 with all members present. Attorney Paul Muske was also present. Mayor Richter presided.
The agenda was approved as presented.
November 4, 2013 regular meeting minutes were read and approved on motion of Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
On motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously, the following bills were approved:
|
Alliant Energy |
Electricity - October |
$ 1,620.97 |
|
Automatic Systems Co |
Repair Clarifier at WWTP |
$ 576.11 |
|
Avenet |
Annual Website Service Package |
$ 350.00 |
|
Steve Berberich |
Reimb for Clock |
$ 74.40 |
|
Bolton & Menk |
Professional Services for County Road 16 Project |
$ 238.00 |
|
Bound Tree Medical |
2 AED Batteries |
$ 326.09 |
|
Clements Lumber |
Christmas lights, paper towels, filter |
$ 121.16 |
|
Comfrey C-Store |
Fuel |
$ 421.99 |
|
Comfrey Fire Dept |
Expenses |
$ 631.24 |
|
Comfrey First Responders |
Shirts, jackets, plaques, battery |
$ 904.58 |
|
Comfrey Times |
Publications |
$ 270.01 |
|
Friesen Plumbing & Heating |
Honeywell zone valves for city office |
$ 190.00 |
|
Frontier |
Telephone/Internet - November |
$ 453.74 |
|
Gag Sheet Metal |
Replaced board in post office furnance |
$ 527.65 |
|
GopherState |
4 line locates |
$ 5.80 |
|
Hawkins |
Chemicals, Tank Demurrage |
$ 1,544.81 |
|
Indoff Incorporated |
Ice Melt |
$ 147.50 |
|
Library |
Bills and Wages |
$ 2,533.05 |
|
Jim Meyer |
Gun cleaning kit, supplies, binoculars |
$ 156.31 |
|
Minnesota Department of Health |
Quarterly Water Service Connection Fee |
$ 311.00 |
|
Minnesota Chiefs of Police Assoc |
Annual Membership |
$ 165.00 |
|
Muske, Muske & Suhrhoff |
Professional Services |
$ 270.00 |
|
New Star Sale & Services |
Installed drivers on laptop & tested |
$ 81.00 |
|
Office of Administrative Hearing |
Filing Fees for Annexed Property |
$ 100.00 |
|
Payroll Expense |
Payroll |
$ 4,795.79 |
|
Plunkett's |
Quarterly Pest Control - rodent |
$ 57.80 |
|
Postmaster |
1 roll postage stamps |
$ 46.00 |
|
Utility Consultants, Inc |
WWTP Tests |
$ 220.50 |
|
USA BlueBook |
Thermometer, Honeywell Chart Paper |
$ 211.34 |
|
United States Postal Service |
2 boxes stamped envelopes |
$ 558.85 |
|
Verizon Wireless |
Police Cell Phone - November |
$ 65.01 |
|
Waste Management |
Res. Garbage pickup - October |
$ 1,242.40 |
City Clerk will contact Plunkett’s to inquire about current schedule and rates for rodent and insect control.
The November financial report was reviewed and approved on motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
Fire Chief Warner was absent – No report
Police Chief Meyer presented the monthly police report.
Public Works Director Berberich reported snow removal has been going well. The city received information on a Fluoride Analytical Device Project from MDH. Berberich informed the council the equipment we have now is better then what the project provides so we will not be participating. Council also received a reminder of the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act. The law mandates what are permissible levels of lead and also makes it illegal to sell or install equipment that is not lead free. The City of Comfrey has already taken steps towards being lead free by installing lead free water meters in all households. Berberich also received one quote for a digital display sign of just over $18,000. No action taken.
Arnsdorf presented the library board report.
The final levy was set at $191,803 and budget for 2014 was approved on motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously. Note: This amount is the same total as the proposed levy presented at the September 4, 2013 council meeting.
City Council member appointment was discussed and it was decided to put a notice in the Comfrey Times to notify community of open position and process required to be considered for the appointment.
A new first responder member, Phyllis Affeldt was approved on motion by Evers, seconded by Arnsdorf and carried unanimously.
A resolution expressing acceptance and appreciation for a donation of $512 from the Friends of the Library for the purchase of a chair for the reading area was approved on a motion from Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
The gambling application for St. Paul’s Catholic Church for February 9, 2014 was approved on motion of Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
The 2014 Cigarette license was approved for the Comfrey C-Store on a motion by Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
Darlene Arnsdorf will serve on the Library board for another 3 year term. This appointed was approved on a motion from Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
Mayor Richter appointed Jon Schmitt to fulfill the remaining term of Robert Herrig on the Comfrey Economic Development board which will end on December 31, 2014. Mayor Richter also agreed to serve for another 6 year term. These appointments were approved on a motion by Evers, seconded by Arnsdorf and carried unanimously.
On motion of Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously, Mark Warner was appointed as Fire Chief.
Gretchen Ecker was appointed as First Responder Captain on a motion by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.
Per terms of the PFA financing agreement a wastewater infrastructure System Replacement Fund has been established to deposit $.50 per 1000 gallons of flow annually during the life of the loan for future rehabilitation or expansion of the treatment system. This transfer deposit of $5,351.50 was approved on motion of Schmitt, seconded by Arnsdorf and carried unanimously.
A motion to authorize the clerk-treasurer to assign general funds as needed for year end December 31, 2013 made by Anrsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
Darlene Arnsdorf was appointed street commission through the end of the year on motion of Schmitt, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.
February council meeting is moved to Wednesday, February 5th at 7:00 PM in the community center on motion of Schmitt, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned on motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt.