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Chatfield adopts new policy for sale or disposal of city equipment
Fri, Nov 16th, 2012
Posted in Chatfield Government
Posted in Chatfield Government
Comments
By Karen Reisner
The Chatfield City Council meeting on November 13 was sandwiched in between an extended meeting of the Committee of the Whole. Discussions at the Committee of the Whole included reviews of the 2013 operating budget and the anticipated final levy to be approved in December, user fees and priorities of the sanitary sewer fund, user fees for the water fund, economic development possibilities, and the 2013 street and utility project goals.
The newly-adopted policy for sale or disposal of city-owned goods and equipment does not include the disposition of land or buildings. The intention is to simplify the process. City Clerk Joel Young explained that every time something was to be sold, the city council has had to give prior approval, which is a cumbersome process. Items will now be advertised on publicsurplus.com for a minimum of ten business days. Notices will also be placed in the city’s official newspaper. Proceeds will be placed in a reserve fund for future capital purchases of the appropriate department.
Disc Golf Course
Authorization was given for the group that wants to build a disc golf course in Mill Creek Park to go forward and raise funds for the venture. The group includes Andy, Hank, and Harvey Friederich and Brian Lee. A consultant had been hired to design the course. Andy Friederich estimated that the course would cost about $10,000 for everything including baskets, brush clearing, signage, and so on. He was confident that the funding can be raised over the winter through grants from various foundations and associations. If necessary to gain additional funding, the men will seek out businesses willing to sponsor one hole each for the nine-hole course. They hope to construct the course in the spring of 2013. The men expect to chip in labor and some funds. The Parks and Recreation Committee recommended approval of the plan.
Other Business In Brief
Approval was given for the purchase of a radio from Whitewater Wireless at a cost of $3,351.01 for the recently purchased fire truck to meet narrowbanding requirements. A headset apparatus will cost an additional $1,773.45.
Young discussed recent communications with adjacent landowners about the city selling the grassy area of Outlot B to the neighboring property owners. At the September 10 meeting the council decided they should only sell the grassy area, which was the most costly to maintain. Young admitted not all neighboring property owners were tickled with this plan. He said it was time to move forward and either sell as presented, or go back to a prior proposal, invite the neighbors in for discussion, or scrap the effort entirely. Young said most of the property owners are interested in buying a piece. Mayor Don Hainlen said it would be appropriate to meet again with the neighboring property owners. Councilor Paul Novotny asked if a piece was left if it could be incorporated with another piece. Councilors seemed to agree it was best to arrange another meeting with the neighboring property owners.
A public hearing was held on delinquent utility bills. There was no comment or dispute of the charges from the public. A resolution to authorize the collection of delinquent utility accounts with taxes payable in 2013 was adopted.
Tony Lammers said the city of Chatfield has received the CDC Water Fluoridation Quality Award for the second year presented by the Minnesota Department of Health’s Oral Health Program and Drinking Water Protection Section.
Lammers reported that the city sold their 1995 dump truck for $13,950, which he called an excellent price. He credited the website publicsurplus.com for the favorable sale.
A proposal from McGhie and Betts, Inc. for professional fees related to an infrastructure improvement program for streets and underlying public utilities was discussed. The work includes updating the street and utility inventory, rating the condition of streets and utilities, estimating the costs for improvements, and building a capital improvement plan for the next several years.
Councilors Ken Jacobson, Dave Frank, and Robert Pederson won seats on the city council for a term in the recent election.
The Chatfield City Council meeting on November 13 was sandwiched in between an extended meeting of the Committee of the Whole. Discussions at the Committee of the Whole included reviews of the 2013 operating budget and the anticipated final levy to be approved in December, user fees and priorities of the sanitary sewer fund, user fees for the water fund, economic development possibilities, and the 2013 street and utility project goals.
The newly-adopted policy for sale or disposal of city-owned goods and equipment does not include the disposition of land or buildings. The intention is to simplify the process. City Clerk Joel Young explained that every time something was to be sold, the city council has had to give prior approval, which is a cumbersome process. Items will now be advertised on publicsurplus.com for a minimum of ten business days. Notices will also be placed in the city’s official newspaper. Proceeds will be placed in a reserve fund for future capital purchases of the appropriate department.
Disc Golf Course
Authorization was given for the group that wants to build a disc golf course in Mill Creek Park to go forward and raise funds for the venture. The group includes Andy, Hank, and Harvey Friederich and Brian Lee. A consultant had been hired to design the course. Andy Friederich estimated that the course would cost about $10,000 for everything including baskets, brush clearing, signage, and so on. He was confident that the funding can be raised over the winter through grants from various foundations and associations. If necessary to gain additional funding, the men will seek out businesses willing to sponsor one hole each for the nine-hole course. They hope to construct the course in the spring of 2013. The men expect to chip in labor and some funds. The Parks and Recreation Committee recommended approval of the plan.
Other Business In Brief
Approval was given for the purchase of a radio from Whitewater Wireless at a cost of $3,351.01 for the recently purchased fire truck to meet narrowbanding requirements. A headset apparatus will cost an additional $1,773.45.
Young discussed recent communications with adjacent landowners about the city selling the grassy area of Outlot B to the neighboring property owners. At the September 10 meeting the council decided they should only sell the grassy area, which was the most costly to maintain. Young admitted not all neighboring property owners were tickled with this plan. He said it was time to move forward and either sell as presented, or go back to a prior proposal, invite the neighbors in for discussion, or scrap the effort entirely. Young said most of the property owners are interested in buying a piece. Mayor Don Hainlen said it would be appropriate to meet again with the neighboring property owners. Councilor Paul Novotny asked if a piece was left if it could be incorporated with another piece. Councilors seemed to agree it was best to arrange another meeting with the neighboring property owners.
A public hearing was held on delinquent utility bills. There was no comment or dispute of the charges from the public. A resolution to authorize the collection of delinquent utility accounts with taxes payable in 2013 was adopted.
Tony Lammers said the city of Chatfield has received the CDC Water Fluoridation Quality Award for the second year presented by the Minnesota Department of Health’s Oral Health Program and Drinking Water Protection Section.
Lammers reported that the city sold their 1995 dump truck for $13,950, which he called an excellent price. He credited the website publicsurplus.com for the favorable sale.
A proposal from McGhie and Betts, Inc. for professional fees related to an infrastructure improvement program for streets and underlying public utilities was discussed. The work includes updating the street and utility inventory, rating the condition of streets and utilities, estimating the costs for improvements, and building a capital improvement plan for the next several years.
Councilors Ken Jacobson, Dave Frank, and Robert Pederson won seats on the city council for a term in the recent election.