June 1, 2015
The City Council of Comfrey met in regular session Monday, June 1, 2015 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.
May 13, 2015 regular meeting minutes were approved on motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.
On motion of Kastner, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously, the following bills were approved:
Alliant Energy | Electricity - April | $ 1,514.83 |
Braun & Borth Sanitation | Garbage Pick-up - May | $ 2,090.77 |
Choice Financial | Replenish Petty Cash | $ 66.39 |
Clements Lumber | plywood, tape, rope, garbage bags | $ 135.69 |
Comfrey C-Store | Fuel | $ 287.60 |
Comfrey Fire Dept | Expenses | $ 2,922.81 |
Comfrey First Responders | Mileage, Vaccine, Med Supplies, Equip | $ 3,124.96 |
Comfrey Grocery | Cleaning Supplies, paper towels | $ 27.04 |
Fergusson | Parts for Bottom Fill | $ 595.11 |
Frontier | Telephone/Internet - May | $ 440.87 |
Hawkins | Tank demurrage | $ 15.00 |
Janitor's Closet | Cleaning Supplies | $ 32.27 |
Library | Bills and Wages | $ 2,041.56 |
Mankato/Fairmont Fire & Safety | Fire Alarm System/ Hood System Inspect | $ 405.00 |
MN Department of Health | Quarterly Water Service Collection Fee | $ 311.00 |
MN Pollution Control Agency | Wastewater Certification Renewal-Berberich | $ 23.00 |
Muske, Muske & Suhrhoff | Professional Services | $ 35.00 |
Overson Lumber Company | Garbage Carts | $ 314.95 |
Payroll Expense | Hourly Payroll Expense | $ 2,137.00 |
Utility Consultants, Inc | WWTP Tests | $ 190.50 |
Verizon Wireless | Police Cell Phone - May | $ 77.89 |
The financial report was reviewed and approved on motion by Schmitt, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.
Andrew Richter was approved for summer help in the maintenance area at an hourly rate of $9.00 on motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously with Mayor Richter abstaining
Public Works Director Berberich informed the council he would like to hold off a year on seal coating because the streets that need to be done are in the area of the storm sewer repair. The Minnesota Department of Health inspected the water plant and everything went well. Berberich also requested permission to apply for a discretionary variance with the MDH to lower the fluoride concentration for the city drinking water to an average of 0.7 mg/L, which is within the range of 0.5 to 0.9 mg/L recently set by the HHS and CDC. A motion was made by Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously to apply for the variance.
A motion was made by Kastner, seconded by Arnsdorf and carried unanimously to pay for the bottom fill system in the fire department from the Capital Equipment Fund. The cost is estimated to be $800 to $1000.
A mutual aid agreement with the City of St James for fire and ambulance services was reviewed and approved on a motion made by Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
Police Chief Meyer reviewed the police report with the council. He also informed the council that he does not have much for medical equipment in his squad car but is often the first one on scene. If there is any overlap of first responder equipment after receiving the new rig, he would like it for his squad.
The library board minutes were reviewed.
No update reported for the “Little White Church”.
Information was shared with the council on Public Alert. Public Alert is a community messaging system which would allow emergency and informational messages to be shared with the community by email, text or voicemail. Clerk Kelly will try to get in touch with a city of our size who is currently using the system for some additional feedback.
Sample rental property ordinances were shared with the council. Attorney Muske will put together some recommendations for a future meeting.
No action was taken on the flag pole light.
Dave Schiller was appointed the Weather Spotter lead on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
The second reading was had of Ordinance #178 the amendment to Ordinance #175, Section 1, Paragraph 3 changing the ATV/UTV/Cart permit from an annual renewal to a permanent license. Ordinance #178 was passed on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.
A land use permit for Mike Kelly to build a garage was approved on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Kastner and carried unanimously.
Kitchen rental at the community center on Saturday during Community Days was discussed because it is used by the fire department during the steak fry. A motion was made by Kastner, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously to charge half price for kitchen rental on Saturday during Community Days.
The annual membership for Minnesota Association of Small Cities for $291.90 was approved on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.
UBMAX is offering a pre-paid 3 year extended maintenance support contract with 15% off of our current annual fee and no increase in support fees during the 3 years. Our current annual fee is $350.00. On motion of Evers, seconded by Arnsdorf and carried unanimously the council approved the 3 year maintenance support contract with discount savings of $157.50 and a total cost of $892.50.
The meeting was adjourned on motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers.