October 6, 2014

The City Council of Comfrey met in regular session Monday, October 6 2014 at 7:00 PM in the community center with all members present. Attorney Matthew Muske was also present. Mayor Richter presided.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited.

The agenda was approved with the addition of EDA Member Appointment, and Post Office Request under new business.

On recommendation from the zoning committee, a motion was made by Arnsdorf and seconded by Evers and carried unanimously to approve Andy Evers a variance on the zoning ordinance to allow construction of a 40' by 40' detached garage with 12' sidewalls, which garage area exceeds the maximum square footage allowed by the zoning ordinance and which garage height exceeds the maximum sidewall height.

September 2, 2014 regular meeting minutes and August 25, 2014 special session were read and approved on motion of Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.

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

Alliant Energy

Electricity - August

$       2,116.68

Automatic Systems Co

Uninterruptable power source for WWTP

$         179.05

Choice Financial

Replenish Petty Cash - Postage, misc supplies

$         107.64

Clements Lumber

Materials for community center shelving

$         116.92

Comfrey C-Store

Fuel

$         401.08

Comfrey Community Ed

Summer Rec Program

$         500.00

Comfrey Fire Dept

Expenses

$         403.84

Comfrey First Responders

Batteries, oxygen

$           74.53

Comfrey Grocery

The Works cleaner

$             2.77

Comfrey Times

Publications

$         260.55

Electric Pump

Pump Inspections at WWTP & main lift

$         700.00

Frontier

Telephone/Internet - September

$         434.20

Gopher State

4 line locates

$             5.80

Hawkins

Chemicals, Tank Demurrage

$       2,167.43

Harvest Land

Fuel Oil

$         462.41

Indoff Incorporated

Ink for Police printer, label & correction tape, paper

$         233.97

Kelly, Tammy

Reimb for Police laser printer

$         170.98

Kevin's Body Shop & Auto Sales

Remove graphics from squad car

$         100.00

League of Minnesota Cities

Annual Dues

$         487.00

Library

Bills and Wages

$       5,999.69

Meyer, Jim

Reimb - CD-R Discs, mileage-pickup squad car

$           36.72

Midwest Radar & Equipment

Certify Police Radar

$           20.00

MN Depart of Labor & Industry

Air compressor inspection & boiler license

$           95.00

Moonlight Floor Cleaning

Deep scrub, 4 coats wax -Municipal Bldg floors

$       4,500.00

Muske, Muske & Suhrhoff

Professional Services

$         540.00

Payroll Expense

Payroll

$       6,783.49

Squads +

Remove old equip and install new

$       2,571.53

T & C Service Center

Road Grader tires only

$       5,758.56

USPS

PO Box Rent, Utility Bills Postage, Stamps

$         497.40

US Postal Services

Pre-stamped envelopes

$         302.65

Utility Consultants, Inc

WWTP Tests

$         218.25

Verizon Wireless

Police Cell Phone - September

$           91.88

Waste Management

Res. Garbage pickup - August

$       1,241.12

 

Fire Chief Warner informed the council they have chosen which SCBA units they would like to purchase and the next step will be to get some quotes on them.

No first responder report

The September financial report was reviewed and approved on motion of Schmitt, seconded by Kastner and carried unanimously.

Police Chief Meyer presented the monthly police report. He stated we had the old squad has had all of the equipment and decals removed from it. It was proposed to keep the old squad car as a city vehicle for employees to use to attend meetings, training, etc. Discussion was had and a motion was made by Kastner, seconded by Arnsdorf and carried unanimously to keep the car for a city vehicle on a year long trial basis. Some guidelines will be set up for use of the city vehicle by employees.  

Public Works Director Berberich reported all the trees in town have been trimmed. Both plants are running well. The pumps at the waste water treatment plant and the lift station were pulled and maintenance and inspections were done on them. He found there was a bad sensor at the water plant which he believed was causing the tank drainage issues.

Arnsdorf presented the library board report and reviewed minutes.

Mayor Richter informed the council a meeting has been scheduled for October 8th and the Cottonwood County Historical Society Directory Linda Sanders will be there to answer questions and provide some information on the startup process.

The second reading was had of ordinance #176 increasing the Mayor and Council salary by $120 per year and $10 per special meeting effective in January following the next municipal election. The salary increase passed and was adopted on a motion made by Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously.

On motion of Kastner, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously the League of Minnesota Cities annual dues of $487 were paid.

A resolution expressing acceptance and appreciation for donations from Moonlight Floor Cleaning for $1000 dedicated as follows: $350 to the fire department, $350 to the police department and $300 to the City of Comfrey and also a memorial for Ed Savage for $20 to the first responders on a motion from Evers, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously.

Berberich reviewed the MDH Lead/Copper Tap Water monitoring report with the council. The city was within limits in both areas.

A petition to modify local service area was review from Integra Telecom of MN. Attorney Matthew Muske believed this was informational only.

Property concerns were shared with the council about the vacant building on Broad St. There have been reports of children playing in the area and some safety concerns. The concerns will be looked into further.

On motion of Kastner, seconded by Schmitt and carried unanimously a land use permit was granted to Scott Olson for a storage shed.

Information was presented to the council from MAOSC. They are currently looking for a new board member from Southern Minnesota. No action was taken.

Discussion was had regarding a service contract for the software used for our water meters and handheld meter reading equipment. The cost of the service contract was $1290 annually. No action was taken at this time.

On motion of Arnsdorf, seconded by Evers and carried unanimously, Kevin Ludewig was appointed to complete the term of Jim Schneider on the EDA Board which ends December 31, 2017. The council would like to thank Jim for his many years of service to the Comfrey EDA as he has been a member of the board since it started in 2000.

A request from the post office was received for some additional shelving and a solar light on the flag pole outside. Discussion was had and the request for additional shelving was believed to be the responsibility of the post office and no action was taken on the solar light at this time.

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