January 6, 2014

The City Council of Comfrey met in regular session Monday, January 6, 2014 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 agenda was approved as presented.

On motion of Schmitt, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously, the following official appointments were made:

Publication: Comfrey Times

            Depository: Choice Financial Bank

            Attorney: Paul Muske

            Weed Inspector: Gary Richter

            Assistant Weed Inspector: Steve Berberich

            Acting Mayor: Darlene Arnsdorf

            Commissioners:

            Water: John Schmitt

            Sewer: Darlene Arnsdorf

            Streets: Darlene Arnsdorf

            Hall & Park: Susan Evers

            December 2, 2013 regular meeting minutes were read and approved on motion of Evers, seconded by Arnsdorf and carried unanimously.

On motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously, the following bills were approved:

Alliant Energy

Electricity - November

$         502.76

Steve Berberich

Reimb for replacement shovel

$           40.00

Certified & Diversified Services

Street light repair

$         106.88

City of Springfield

3 Vehicle Registration Renewals

$           48.00

Clements Lumber

Heaters, light bulbs, marking paint

$         174.74

Comfrey C-Store

Fuel

$         718.24

Comfrey Fire Dept

Expenses

$     10,361.09

Comfrey First Responders

Annual Payroll

$       4,172.50

Comfrey Market

Toilet paper, dawn

$         111.29

Comfrey Times

Publications

$         337.90

Crysteel

New cutting edges for snow plow

$         459.51

Darfur Electric

Move drop cord in Fire Hall

$           63.23

Friesen Plumbing & Heating

Sump Pump for WWTP

$         160.31

Frontier

Telephone/Internet - December

$         453.91

Hawkins

Tank Demurrage

$             5.00

Heiderscheidt Digging, Inc

Snow Removal

$       1,320.00

Indoff Incorporated

Calendars, Ink for police printer

$           60.37

Library

Bills and Wages

$       2,375.79

Jim Meyer

People Smart - Tracking service

$           39.90

MN Rural Water Assoc

Annual Membership

$         235.00

Muske, Muske & Suhrhoff

Professional Services

$         247.65

Payroll Expense

Payroll and Annual Payroll

$       8,451.42

Randy's Electric Services, LLC

Replace outlet for sump pump at WWTP

$         163.65

Rob's Service Center

Tail Light, Grader Oil

$           45.42

Servocal Instruments Inc

Semi-Annual Calibration of WW Flow Meters

$         400.00

Utility Consultants, Inc

WWTP Tests

$         190.50

Verizon Wireless

Police Cell Phone - December

$           65.01

Waste Management

Res. Garbage pickup - November

$       1,242.40

 

 

 

 Fire Chief Warner reported the department had all the turn out gear washed and cleaned. To his knowledge it had never been done before and was in need of it. He reported Adrian Township may be moving 12 sections from the Comfrey Fire Department to the Darfur Fire Department. This will decrease the funding they receive from the township by about $1440. Chief Warner also proposed increasing the per section cost from $120 to $130. There was also some discussion to look into setting up a three year contract with townships verses an annual. The current process for filling trucks and options of changing how they are filled was also briefly discussed.

Chief Warner also shared with the council the First Responders are in the process of starting an association. They are working with South Central MN EMS in getting things set up.

The December financial report was reviewed and approved on motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.

Police Chief Meyer presented the monthly police report. He reported his laptop for the squad car is no longer working and he would like to purchase a new one. The purchase of a new laptop up to $1000 was approved on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously. Chief Meyer also recommended to the council to hire Dave Huhn on a part time basis to fill in when he is not available. A motion was made by Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously to hire Dave Huhn as a part time patrol officer for the City of Comfrey.

Public Works Director Berberich reported the WWTP is running well with the cold but he is having some problems at the water plant with the pumps not kicking in to fill the tower. Snow removal is going well. He is starting in the early morning hours when there is less activity on the streets which makes the process run more smoothly.

Arnsdorf presented the library board report. The library budget was reviewed and approved on motion by Schmitt, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously. Arnsdorf also informed the council the library board approved raises for the director of fifty cents and the library assistant of twenty-five cents per hour.

The council approved the appointment of Rick Kastner to complete the remaining term of counselor Robert Herrig, ending in December, 2014 on a motion by Schmitt, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.

The 2013 audit contract with Dennis E Oberloh, Ltd was approved on motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.

Approval was given for Tammy Kelly to attend the MCFOA Clerks Conference March 18th -21st on a motion made by Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.

                Monthly health insurance allowances for 2014 in the amount of $925 for Jim Meyer, $500 for Steve Berberich and Tammy Kelly were approved on motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.

            The Emergency Manager position has been tabled until the next meeting in order to gather some additional information on it.

The meeting was adjourned on motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers.