December 5, 2016

The City Council of Comfrey met in regular session Tuesday, December 5, 2016 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.

November 7, 2016 regular meeting minutes and November 14, 2016 special meeting minutes were approved on motion of Arnsdorf, second by Evers and carried unanimously.

The following bills were approved on a motion by Arnsdorf, second by Schmitt and carried unanimously.

November financial statement was reviewed and approved on motion by Schmitt, seconded by Kastner and carried unanimously.

Fire Chief Berberich reported all the new turnout gear has come in.  The department will be receiving $53,310 from the FEMA grant to help cover costs of the new gear. The Relief Association reported they have received a 4.25% return on the money they have invested so far with Prairie Plans Asset Management.  The department would like to purchase a new side by side with its main purpose being used for grass fires. The relief association would donate the funds to the City for its purchase.  Berberich also asked the city if the fire department could use the city trailer to haul the unit. A motion was made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously to purchase the new side by side which will be reimbursed by the Comfrey Fire Relief Association and to allow the fire department use of the city trailer to haul the unit.

The maintenance report was reviewed by Berberich.  He will be on vacation over Christmas and currently does not have anyone for snow removal while he is gone.  He has talked with the county and it would be an option to hire them to remove snow if needed.  A motion was made by Kastner, seconded by Arnsdorf and carried unanimously to hire the county if snow removal is needed while Berberich is on vacation.

First Responder Captain Barnes reviewed her report. She reported they did have the new rig serviced and fluids changed in it.

Chief Meyer reviewed the police report with the council. The department was able to complete their requirement for fire arm training.  Dave and Joan Richert allowed them to use their shooting range free of charge for the department training.  A big thank you goes out to the Richert’s for the use of their range.

The library report was reviewed.

Additional information was brought to the council by Attorney Muske for review of the rural service district within the city limits.  Surrounding communities have rates set between 5% and 30%.  Ordinance #187 Amendment to #167 Urban and Rural Service Districts was introduced for adoption and the city clerk was directed to certify to the county auditor the change in rate from 66 2/3% to 30% effective for taxes payable in 2017. This ordinance was passed and adopted 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 transfer the revolving loan checking account from the city EIN to the EDA EIN if permissible by the terms of the original grant.

A resolution expressing acceptance and appreciation for a donation to the first responders of $25 by Kathryn Penner and to the fire department of $500 by Kevin Rupp. The resolution was approved on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.  A second resolution expressing acceptance and appreciation for an anonymous donation of $1275 divided as requested by donor was approved on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.

 The council gave approval to purchase 4 new Christmas lights this year on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.

After discussion a wage increase of $550 per month for Police Chief Jim Meyer was approved on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.

The 2017 tobacco license was approved for the Comfrey C-Store and Comfrey Bar and Grill on a motion by Schmitt, seconded by Arnsdorf and carried unanimously.

Julie Fredin was appointed to serve another 6 year term on the Comfrey Economic Development board which will end on December 31, 2022.  Paula Barnes was appointed as First Responder Captain and Steve Berberich was appointed as Fire Chief.  These appointments were approved on a motion by Kastner, seconded by Schmitt 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 $11,252 was approved on motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.

The final levy was set at $246,979. This amount is the same total as the proposed levy presented at the September 6, 2016 council meeting. The final 2017 levy and budget was reviewed and approved on a motion by Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously. 

A motion to authorize the clerk-treasurer to assign general funds as needed for year ending December 31, 2016 made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.

The 2016 audit contract with Dennis E Oberloh, Ltd was approved on motion of Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.

Councilor Evers presented information on a proposed Lions service project of purchasing banners for the city street lights. Discussion was had of the pros and cons of the project. No action was taken.

A motion was made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously to submit Mayor Richter’s name for consideration of a vacant Region 9 Board position.

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