Monthly meeting of the Ostrander City Council

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Tue, Aug 14th, 2012
Posted in Ostrander Government

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Pledge of Allegiance

The monthly meeting of the Ostrander City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Linda Schwenn. All council members were present.

Approval of Consent Agenda

Motion by Start, and seconded by Thompson and unanimously carried to accept the consent agenda.

VISITORS: Karen Jensen, Dan O’Connell, Larry Christenson, Tom Thorson, Pam Kunz, Erin Brugh, Barb Olsen, Pauline King,

Department Heads

Public Works Director—Jimmie Dean—Was present. Council approved monthly report.

Fire Chief—Jimmie Dean—Was present. Council approved monthly report.

Police Chief—Tom Mosher—Was present. Council approved monthly report.

Old Business

Job Pay Scales—For 1-20 years of employment for city employees, council would like FT Public Works from $15.50 to $20.50; PT Police Chief from $16.75 to $21.75; PT Clerk/Treasurer from $12 to $17. Rhonda typed up a pay scale to reflect these wages. Motion by Start, and seconded by Nesler and unanimously carried to raise Tom’s wages to $17.50/hr and Jimmie’s will stay the same because of his insurance increase of $84.50/month.

Move office to 306 Main Street or enlarge current office and make bathroom handicap accessible—Visitors at this meeting were Jimmie Dean and Lois Hanson. A special meeting was held on June 21st with Matt Litwiller to discuss following through with the lease or backing out. It was discovered that the furnace is only approximately 4 years old, which was a big concern. After discussing this with Matt, the City Council decided to move ahead and just make the minimal updates that are needed. Motion by Thompson, and seconded by Start and unanimously carried to rescind the motion to back out of the lease with the Ostrander Farmers Co-op. Motion by Start, and seconded by Kunert and unanimously carried to keep the lease with the Ostrander Farmers Co-op.

Sign retroreflectivity—Rhonda spoke to someone at the League and he said to hold off for now. (August is when we will know more)

Should money for the water distribution modeling be taken from the water CD?? Motion by Thompson, and seconded by Nesler and unanimously carried to use money from the water CD for this project.

To put up the security light on the donated land, it will be $10.11 instead of $9.74 plus tax. They need to put up a new pole. Should it be moved from the current location?? It was agreed to put it more centered

New Business

Can it be added to the Hall Rental agreement to get an approximate time of event?? No

Cement barriers for donated Lund property—$3,600 for 12; Rhonda contacted Red Man Construction $3,412.24 for 29 Bollards—Mayor Schwenn suggested posts/planters. Rhonda will get some cost ideas on planters. It was also commented that just to put in some hedge bushes. Rhonda also heard from Dean Lund to maybe have Pauline King help with this project.

Communication between city employees—Mayor Schwenn commented that there needs to be communication between employees.

Zoning Ordinance and Comp plan reviews—Planning Commission (schedule public hearing)—Council agrees to go ahead and schedule it on August 7 @ 5:30 p.m. (before Council Meeting). Rhonda will need to get it posted and published in the paper.

Planning Commission Applications—Dan Hellerud, Pauline King, Amanda Siskow, Kelvin Niemeyer. Council was in agreement that since Pauline King was present at the council meeting to offer the position to her and she accepted the offer

Can signs be connected to the City Limit Signs for Uff-Da Days Returns?? Council didn’t think this this would be a good idea, they would be awfully small. Tentative schedule in packets. Rhonda will call Pepsi about a scoreboard for the ball park. There are also Liability Waivers that should be signed for insurance purposes.

SEMLM, General Membership Meeting—Tuesday, July 31st in Mantorville @ the Hubble House

Councilmember Thompson was wondering if there should be some reimbursement from Rural Fire Dept for the insurance on their vehicles?? Rhonda will check with other cities

Have we ever, or would we want to keep a schedule on the pavilion in the park?? Council was in agreement that this would be awfully hard to enforce.

Other

Council Member Nesler questioned the Balance sheet under Equity and what that was. On line I found explanations which you can find in council packets. I also called Smith Schafer & Associates; Ben explained that the Retained Earnings is the money from year to year either added or subtracted depending on the net income each year.

Primary election (August 14) and General election (November 6)—Candidate filing period for November 6, 2012, General Election is July 31st through August 14th at City Hall. Office hours are from 7 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday. On August 14th, I will be at the Community Center for the Primary election but I need to have any filings turned in by 5 p.m.

Region VI meeting for Rhonda—Thursday, July 26th @ 12:15 in Albert Lea with Mark Ritchie. Motion by Thompson, and seconded by Start and unanimously carried to send Rhonda to this meeting.

The check for the custom rebate through Alliant energy for $368.82 has been received and deposited.

Jimmie will be gone from September 9th to the 14th and return on the 15th.

Motion by Thompson, seconded by Start and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Next meeting is scheduled for August 7th, at 6 p.m.

Rhonda Klapperich

City Clerk/Treasurer

Vernon Thompson

Deputy Mayor

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