February 6, 2013
The City Council of Comfrey met in regular session Monday, February 6, 2013 at 7:00 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 7, 2013 minutes were read and approved on motion of Herrig, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.
On motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously, the following bills were approved:
|
Alliant Energy |
Electricity - December |
$ 2,141.76 |
|
Automatic Systems Co |
Relay for Water Treatment Plant |
$ 158.01 |
|
Steve Berberich |
Tire chains for skid loader, gas, meals |
$ 86.23 |
|
Bolton & Menk |
Professional Services for Hwy 258 Project |
$ 1,000.50 |
|
Certified & Diversified Services LLC |
Removal of Cottonwood trees by Maint Bldg |
$ 1,410.75 |
|
Clements Lumber |
Ice melt, salt, air filter, bags, tape, brackets |
$ 145.74 |
|
Comfrey C-Store |
Gas |
$ 396.95 |
|
Comfrey Fire Dept |
Expenses |
$ 1,813.38 |
|
Comfrey First Responders |
CPR Training, AMER Radios |
$ 1,245.35 |
|
Comfrey Times |
Publications |
$ 249.44 |
|
Creative Products |
Nitrile gloves, Tapes, wipes, cleanup kits |
$ 333.55 |
|
Darfur Electric |
2 lamps and connectors |
$ 54.06 |
|
Susan Evers |
Reimb for tongs for Community Center Kitchen |
$ 9.48 |
|
Frontier |
Telephone/Internet - January |
$ 441.57 |
|
GopherState One-Call |
Annual Fee |
$ 100.00 |
|
Hawkins |
Tank demurrage |
$ 5.00 |
|
Indoff |
File Folders, pens, ink cartridges |
$ 128.00 |
|
Library |
Bills and Wages |
$ 2,336.72 |
|
MCFOA |
Clerks Conference Registration |
$ 210.00 |
|
Minnesota Department of Health |
Plan review application for 258 project |
$ 150.00 |
|
MN Dept of Labor & Industry |
Air Compressor Inspection |
$ 20.00 |
|
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency |
2012 Annual Permit Fees for WWTP |
$ 505.00 |
|
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency |
Cont. Ed WWTP License- Steve Berberich |
$ 323.00 |
|
Minnesota Chiefs of Police Assoc |
Annual Membership |
$ 165.00 |
|
Muske & Muske |
Professional Services |
$ 90.00 |
|
Payroll Expense |
January Payroll |
$ 6,434.16 |
|
Polar Chevrolet |
2013 Chevrolet Pick-Up |
$ 25,462.40 |
|
Rob's ServiceCenter |
Bulb, quick links, siren work |
$ 29.62 |
|
City of Springfield |
Transfer and Registration Fees-2013 Pickup |
$ 1,705.81 |
|
Towns Edge Auto |
Service call for City Truck |
$ 71.50 |
|
Utility Consultants, Inc |
4 WWTP Tests |
$ 190.50 |
|
Jeff Veerkamp |
Mileage-pick up City Truck in White Bear Lake |
$ 144.00 |
|
Verizon Wireless |
Police Cell Phone - January |
$ 67.24 |
|
Waste Management |
Res. Garbage pickup - Dec & Garbage Bags |
$ 1,827.05 |
Brown County Engineer Wayne Stevens and City Engineer Andy Kehren were present for updates on State Highway 258 project. Discussion was held regarding project specifications. The engineer will work with individual land owners on any concerns. The contractor will be required to minimize the interruption of access to properties as much as possible.
On motion of Herrig, seconded by Arnsdorf and carried unanimously resolutions were adopted: Accepting Establishment of County State Aid Highway; Accepting Designation of CSAH 16; and Accepting County Project Within Municipal Corporate Limits.
On motion of Schmitt, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously, a resolution was adopted for Approval of Plans and Specification and Ordering Advertisement for Bids.
The January financial report was reviewed and approved on motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Herrig and carried unanimously.
Police Chief Meyer presented the monthly police report. He continues to work with the school on addressing safety concerns.
Public Works Director Berberich reported both plants are working well in the cold. He installed a new contact at the water plant and everything has been working properly since. There is a wastewater school in March he would like to attend and then retake his Class B Operator Exam. On motion of Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously, permission was given for Berberich to enroll in the school and take the exam. The siren is currently not working and he has sent 2 battery chargers in to be worked on. Berberich also notified council of a request to paint diagonal parking lines in front of Park View apartments. After discussion, it was determined to leave parking as is. Motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously to not change the current parking in front of the apartments. The sale of the current city truck was discussed and on motion of Herrig, seconded by Arnsdorf and carried unanimously the 2005 Chevrolet truck was declared as a surplus and open to advertise for sale.
Berberich stated he had talked to all property owners regarding snow removal on sidewalks. A letter has been sent by city attorney to all businesses that needed to have the issue addressed.
Fire Chief Warner reviewed fire department budget with council. He stated over the last 3 years there have been 56 rural calls and only 1 within the City of Comfrey. City and section rates will be reviewed in the upcoming months.
Arnsdorf reported the library board approved a pay increase of 50 cents per hour for the director and 25 cents per hour for staff. Officers were also elected at their last meeting.
Request was made to purchase water decanters for the community center. Some options for donations will be looked into.
Board of Equalization is scheduled for Monday, April 22, 2013 at 7:00 PM in the community center. The appropriate notice will be published in the Comfrey Times.
The possibility of refinancing some of the higher interest rate debt was discussed and options will be looked into.
The 2012 clerk-treasurer report was reviewed and approved on motion of Herrig, seconded by Arnsdorf and carried unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned on motion of Herrig, seconded by Arnsdorf.