Chatfield Approves IT Upgrades

Finance and information systems director Kay Wangen reported that the Personnel/Budget Committee supports replacing/upgrading the city’s server at the August 28 meeting of the Chatfield city council.

Replacement of the 2018 server is necessary as it will no longer be supported by HP as of January 6, 2024. The replacement of the server is part of the Capital Improvement Plan and in the 2023 budget. The upgrade was approved as recommended by staff to be provided by Marco at a cost of about $23,000 including labor.

Wangen requested approval of three more items to maintain security and Internet stability. The requests include multifactor authentication for VPN users, Police Department Internet redundancy, and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension system use notification. The total cost of about $5,500 for the three upgrades to be provided by Marco was approved as recommended by staff.

Public Works

Brian Burkholder explained he had received two proposals to improve/repair the 1890s concrete water storage tank on Old Territorial Rd. Repairs to the concrete inground tank were considered in 2022 but were delayed due to a plan to replace it with a new tank in coming years. However, the top cover will need repair work to “get us out 10-plus years to a replacement.”

Burkholder recommended a proposal submitted by Champion Coating at a cost of $33,700 to repair cracks on the top of the tank including the center ring, plus sealing the entire top to last 10-plus years. The bid from Champion Coating was approved as recommended. The work should be done yet this year.

A bid from Griffin Construction in the amount of $39,537 was approved to build a landscaped berm along Enterprise Drive for the future planting of trees along the street. The bid does not include the trees.

City Administrator Michele Peterson

This was Michele Peterson’s first day in her new job. She served over eight years as Lanesboro’s city administrator. Mayor John McBroom, councilors and city attorney Fred Suhler welcomed her. Peterson said she looked forward to working with everybody.”

Other business in brief

•Approval was granted of an updated Health & Safety Program.

•A resolution was adopted to accept a $200 donation from the Chatfield Commercial Club to be used for flower baskets.

•A resolution was adopted to accept a $45,000 donation from the Chatfield Firefighters’ Activities Association to be used for Fire Truck/Equipment needs.

•Approval was granted for use of City Park by Chatfield Alliance.

•McBroom briefly listed items reviewed by the Committee of the Whole prior to the city council meeting. The 2024 budget and department goals for the future were discussed. The preliminary budget will need to be approved in September.