September 6, 2016
The City Council of Comfrey met in regular session Tuesday, September 6, 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.
August 1, 2016 regular meeting minutes and August 10, 2016 long range planning meeting minutes were approved on motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.
The following bills were approved on a motion by Evers, second by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
| Bolton & Menk, Inc | Engineer Fees- WTP/Tower project | $ 2,310.79 |
| Braun & Borth Sanitation | Garbage Pick-up - August | $ 2,194.97 |
| Brown County REA | Electricity - July | $ 2,593.39 |
| Clements Lumber | Door locks, tape, misc supplies | $ 229.43 |
| Comfrey C-Store | Fuel | $ 756.81 |
| Comfrey Fire Dept | Expenses | $ 857.34 |
| Comfrey Times | Publications | $ 156.75 |
| Frontier | Telephone/Internet - August | $ 472.51 |
| Gopher State One Call | 3 line locates | $ 4.05 |
| Harris Computer Systems | Utility Bill Cards | $ 195.00 |
| Hawkins | Tank demurrage | $ 15.00 |
| Indoff Incorporated | Paper | $ 183.49 |
| Janitor's Closet, Ltd | Cleaning supplies | $ 31.53 |
| Library | Bills and Wages | $ 899.31 |
| Mankato/Fairmont Fire & Safety | Service Call/Batteries for Fire Alarm | $ 176.00 |
| Mathiowetz Enterprises, Inc | Tire recycling | $ 48.00 |
| Mike's Market | TP | $ 48.32 |
| Miller Sellner | Skid Loader Radio | $ 200.00 |
| MN Dept of Health | Water Service Connection Fee | $ 311.00 |
| Meyer, Jim | Ammo and gun cleaning supplies | $ 128.52 |
| Muske, Muske & Suhrhoff | Professional Services | $ 1,146.05 |
| Payroll Expense | Payroll Expense | $ 10,443.58 |
| T & C Service Center | Paint, connectors | $ 44.00 |
| Taser International | Evidence.com license | $ 300.00 |
| Thomas Suess Construction | Cement-South park restrooms | $ 430.00 |
| Utility Consultants, Inc | WWTP Tests | $ 232.12 |
| Verizon Wireless | Police Cell Phone - August | $ 78.42 |
August financial statement was reviewed and approved on motion by Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
Fire Chief Berberich reported the new turnout gear will be ordered this week. The department has also applied for a grant through AgStar for $1050 for a grain tube auger, drill and new siren. The department also voted to increase per section rates for fire coverage to increase by $5 to $140 per section. A motion was made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously to increase fire coverage rates from $135 to $140 per section effective April 1, 2017
The maintenance report was reviewed by Berberich. The well underneath the water tower has been sealed. It was only 181 feet deep and no debris was left in it so the well sealing cost should be under budget. A pump needs to be redone at the waste water treatment plant at an estimated cost of $1500 to $2000. Work on the water tower should start on August 15th and it will take about a month to complete. During the work, the city could experience water pressure issues because the water tower will need to be empty.
The 2016-2017 snow removal contract with Heiderscheidt Digging was approved at the same rates as last year; $160 per hour for the backhoe and $100 per hour for trucks. The snow removal contract was approved on a motion made by Schmitt, seconded by Kastner and carried unanimously.
No first responder report
Chief Meyer reviewed the police report with the council. Meyer and attorney Muske reviewed a body camera policy with the council. The policy was written from a model policy created by the League of Minnesota Cities. The policy was approved by a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.
The library board report was reviewed. Arnsdorf informed the council that Jennifer Evers was appointed to the board as the member at large.
No additional information available on natural gas. A list of names that had not responded to the interest survey was shared with the council and individuals may be contacted to see if they have any interest in natural gas.
A resolution expressing acceptance and appreciation for donations of $600 to the first responders and $600 to the fire department by Comfrey Area Pride and a donation of $400 by the Comfrey Fire Relief Association was given to the First Responders for their help at the steak fry. Resolution approved on a motion from Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.
On a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously, approval was given for the annual LP contract with Harvest Land Coop. The contract is for 7,000 gallons of LP at $.95 per gallon.
Election judge pay was increased to the minimum wage of $9.50 per hour on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Kastner and carried unanimously.
Clerk Kelly presented the council with some information on a tax abatement program Cottonwood County is looking at putting into place. The city may have some interest in participating depending on how the guidelines are set up.
A resolution was passed accepting the offer of the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority to purchase a $861,850 general obligation water revenue note of 2016, providing for its issuance and authorizing execution of a bond purchase and project loan agreement on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.
The use of the city dump was discussed and concern was raised about commercial contractors disposing of debris that does not burn at the site. A policy outlining what can be disposed of at the site was passed on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
Gambling permits for St Paul’s Church on October 23, 2016 and the Comfrey Fire Relief Association for November 19, 2016 was approved on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Kastner and carried unanimously.
The annual wage review was held. After discussion, on motion of Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously it was voted effective January 1, 2017 to increase the following wages: Steve Berberich’s hourly wage by one dollar; Tammy Kelly’s hourly wage by seventy-five cents; Nick Ludewig and Craig Moody’s by twenty-five cents.
Councilors reviewed the proposed 2017 expenditures and revenue. A preliminary budget includes general expenditures of $470,436 and general revenues of $252,100. The proposed levy included:
General Fund $218,336
Capital Equipment Fund 15,000
Debt Service 13,643
The proposed 2017 budget and preliminary levy were approved on motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers at 8:00 PM.