At the June 10 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, Luke Thieke, Chatfield Fire Department, reported on a proposal recommended for approval by city staff and members of the fire department to enroll in the state Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA).
Thieke noted that a cost analysis has been completed. One-hundred and forty-two fire departments in Minnesota rely on the Minnesota Statewide Volunteer Retirement Plan to control their investments and administer benefits. Departments enrolled in the plan get comparable or higher benefits.
The department’s Relief Association will still stay active. Thieke explained with their enrollment in PERA their payroll will be reduced and they will not have to be bonded, adding “It will streamline things for us.” Deputy City Clerk Beth Carlson commented that it is portable from one department to another. Thieke concluded, “everyone is on board.” It was approved unanimously.
Other business in brief
•The ninth payment to Benike Construction for the swimming pool was approved in the amount of $154,325.
The tenth payment to Ricchio, Inc. for the swimming pool was approved in the amount of $356,325.
•The pool dedication was scheduled for Thursday, June 13 at 6 p.m.
•Brian Burkholder detailed a proposal to replace street lights on side streets, switching them to LED, to match those on Main St. The proposal included the replacement of two concrete bases and reinstallation of lights on Third St. where they are currently down. The total was approved in the amount of $12,800 which includes $10,850 for seven fixtures and $1,950 for replacement of two concrete bases and reinstallation of down lights.
•Burkholder had quotes from Rochester Service Co. in the amount of $10,753 for crack filling and from Pearson Brothers in the amount of $33,411.72 for chipsealing. The maintenance quotes were approved and the work will be done in August.
•Authority was given to Police Chief Shane Fox to start the process for hiring a part-time deputy.
•Councilor Paul Novotny reported on the Public Works committee. They discussed a possible mill and overlay project of three streets and three alleys, including the Twiford St. and Spring St. intersection. This will come to the council for their consideration at a later meeting.
•A walk for diabetes will be held at Groen Park on July 28.
•On June 29 there will be a Chatfield Brass Band concert in recognition of and as part of their 50th anniversary celebration.
•City Clerk Joel Young reported numbers from a demographer’s estimate for the City of Chatfield as of April, 2018. The population estimate was 2,881 and the number of households was 1,142.
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