With the addition of a deputy city clerk, the Canton city staff have been experiencing some growing pains with its work stations. Last Wednesday night, the Canton City Council discussed options for reorganizing the space and directed Clerk Brock Bergey to return to a future meeting with a proposal and possible plan.
Bergey explained that the city hall currently has an open floor plan that served as the council chambers and an office area with a counter from which to help utility customers and citizens.
In the office area, there were two computer stations, which were utilized by the clerk and the public works director. With the addition of a deputy clerk, the employees have found themselves shuffling between work stations and sharing laptops to make the space work.
Bergey also noted there is only one phone, which has to be passed between the staff as well.
“I don’t think we need to spend a boat-load of money,” said Councilmember Charlie Warner. “We had to include the council chambers in there, but now we are meeting here (Canton Town Hall) and I don’t see us going back there.”
He added that the floor space previously used as the council chambers could be utilized to help alleviate the office space limitations.
Bergey also clarified that the city staff is not looking for a complete overhaul or renovation, but rather having a wall installed and the main counter area moved forward.
He estimated that the wall could cost about $2,000 with additional costs for electrical and phone wiring, and perhaps the addition of a countertop-type desk, which could be another $1,000.
Jon Nordsving, the Public Works director, uses a computer in the back area of the office to file his reports for the wastewater treatment plant. When asked why he couldn’t do that from the plant office, he noted the internet connections were not reliable enough at the plant.
Bergey also reminded the council that one of the reasons the city had hired a deputy city clerk was to allow him to spend time researching grant opportunities and working on financials without being interrupted by utility customers. “Ideally,” he added, “I would have an office that is secluded.”
He continued, “The biggest thing is that we don’t have designated work spaces and that does not lend itself to being very efficient. We want to be more efficient.”
Finally, Councilmember Carl Ernst interjected that he would like something drawn out on paper – to provide the council with some options.
“That’s why we are here,” Bergey said. “We just wanted to get some direction from the council on how we might proceed.”
On behalf of the Canton American Legion, Mike Wilder attended the council to discuss the future of the Canton ball field and to present estimates for possible electrical improvements. Several years ago, some of the wiring to the lights had been disconnected after the summer league stopped playing in Canton.
“The Legion has taken the ball field under its wing,” said Wilder. “People are asking us why the lights are off.”
The organization pays for the electrical service and has helped maintain the property through its charitable gambling, which took a hit during the past year when establishments where pull tabs were sold could not be open.
Wilder explained there were three options the city could take to restore and improve the electrical service at the field. The costs range from $2,000 to $7,000. While the Legion does not have a lot of funds at the moment, he stated he and other Legion members would like to see the improvements made. He noted there are younger kids coming to town and they want to play ball.
Because this is the case, the Legion has applied for a grant through MiEnergy which could cover costs to do the entire project to repair the lights, replace wiring and add some outlets.
The grant committee will make a decision by April, Wilder said, and if the Legion does not receive the funds, he suggested utilizing funds from the Don Wilken estate to do some of the project or all of the project.
No action was taken on the matter, but will be discussed again at the April meeting, at which time the city and Legion should know the outcome of the grant application.
Before leaving the meeting, Wilder did make a point to thank the council for installing the speed radar sign on his street. “The traffic by my house is god-awful and it’s usually 100 miles an hour,” he said. “Since the sign has been there, it’s helped and we’re grateful for that. It hasn’t solved it, but it sure has helped.”
In his monthly clerk’s report, Bergey noted the first late fees on utility bills were to be assessed on March 12. These would be for amounts not paid from January billing. He also clarified that the 10% fee would be assessed on the delinquent portion of residents’ bills only. On the upside, Bergey also reported only six accounts that will be affected if not paid by March 12. “This is the lowest number of outstanding bills we’ve had since I’ve been here,” he said.
Bergey also reminded residents that pet licenses are required for all dogs and cats over six months of age living within the Canton city limits. They need to be registered with proof of rabies vaccination.
The 2021 permit stickers for golf carts and ATVs are also now available.
While working on the audit, Bergey said he has had some inquiries from the accounting firm in regards to certain accounts. “This isn’t really a surprise,” he said. “This was the first year we have had a better feel for our books and the first year the former clerk did not have her hands in them.”
In regards to the former clerk, he also reported that the criminal case against former clerk Lolly Melander is heading for a jury trial on March 24. Attorney Brett Corson will be prosecuting the case. Melander had a settlement conference on March 8 where Judge Matt Opat had set the matter for a jury trial. Melander is charged with 26 felony counts of theft and embezzlement of public funds. Based on findings from the office of the state auditor, Melander is accused of taking more than $134,000 between February 1, 2011, and March 1, 2019.
In a final matter in his report, Bergey noted 19 of 20 streetlight bulbs have been replaced with LED fixtures and the final bulb will be replaced after the snow melts and the pole is accessible. The $4,712 cost is mostly covered by the $4,500 grant from the Arlin Falck Foundation with the additional $212 coming out of the streets budget.
In Public Works, Nordsving noted the city has several old street fixtures that need to be disposed. With everything going to LED, he said these fixtures are “dead horses” and he simply hopes to find a junker who will take them. The council agreed with his assessment.
In a fire department report, Bergey noted the city had received a memo from its insurance agent stating the city could save 10% off the workman compensation rate if 90% of the fire department could be certified as non-smokers. With a 20-person department, 18 would have to be smoke free and the city fell short by one. The cost savings would have been about $300 a year.
The council had a brief discussion on what to do with five church pews that were given to the city by the Catholic church and used at the Canton Town Hall for many years. Now that the town hall has adequate seating with new folding chairs, the city would like to return the pews to the church or give them away.
The council agreed to offer the pews back to the church first and let the church members do what they want with them.
Finally, the council reviewed a plan for the Free Little Libraries being built for the city by the Mabel-Canton shop class. Paul Tollefsrud has proposed adding a bench to each library, which would cost the city an additional $150 for materials. The council agreed to the addition of the benches. One of the libraries will be installed by city hall and the other will be located near the fire station park. One will hold books for adults while the other will hold books for children.
The next meeting for the Canton City Council will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14.
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