Luke Thieke, president of the Relief Association, reviewed the association’s financial statement at the March 12 meeting of the Chatfield City Council.
Thieke reported that their finances are in excellent shape. A raise of $550 per year of service was proposed, allowing for a total of $2,300 per year of service. To qualify for full pension benefits a firefighter must complete 20 years of service.
The association currently has a surplus of 30%. With the raise the surplus will be reduced to 14%. The association’s funds which are invested with the Minnesota State Board of Investment have been doing well. Thieke also reported that they were able to generate $8,000 at the annual Western Days dance. A new rule, membership dues in the amount of $100, provides $2,600 additional revenue.
The pension raise was approved unanimously.
Other business in brief
• The first consideration of Ordinance #430 – Sunday Liquor Hours was approved. “A licensee who has an on-sale intoxicating liquor or wine license permitting sales on a Sunday,” may serve liquor or wine in conjunction with serving food between the hours of 10 a.m. Sunday and 1 a.m. Monday.
• The first consideration of Ordinance #431 – Exterior Storage was approved. This ordinance requires exterior storage within a structure or items to be fully screened so as not to be visible from adjoining properties. Numerous exceptions are listed. Junkyards and auto storage within commercial and industrial areas must be fully screened from right of way or developed areas. A conditional use permit may be required for exterior storage if there is a hazard to public health and safety.
• The first consideration of Ordinance #432 – Metes & Bounds Subdivision was approved. This relates to the prohibition of the conveyance of a portion of a platted lot, or unplatted land, or a combination of up to three lots. It lays out exceptions allowed through an application to the planning and zoning commission and/or the city council and their approval.
• A public hearing regarding the City Charter proposal was rescheduled for March 26 at 7 p.m.
• A resolution was adopted authorizing the closure of five obsolete fund accounts.
• A resolution was approved to amend the 2018 budget. City Clerk Joel Young said this is something that is not generally done. However, some numbers will not work that were adopted for the ambulance service. It will be easier to do an accurate budget next year having made these changes. The proposed adjustments have been presented to the Rural Fire Advisory Board and were accepted.
• The replacement of the encoder that the cable television signal goes through was approved.
• The list of life guards to hire for 2018 was approved as recommended by swimming pool manager Melissa Hurley.
• Approval was given for Chosen Valley Vet Clinic to use Mill Creek Park for a horse clinic on April 21.
• Young presented City Attorney Fred Suhler a framed poster of the recent presentation by Wits’ End Theatre, “Abraham Lincoln for the Defense,” written by Joe Chase. Suhler appeared in the play that was performed recently at the Chatfield Center for the Arts. Suhler commented on the experience and called the Center for the Arts a “marvelous facility.”