The November 7 results of the special referendum, to determine if Chatfield voters would authorize the city council to issue $4,402,000 in bonds for the construction of a new swimming pool, were certified at the city council’s November 13 meeting. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent.
City Clerk Joel Young explained that state law requires the city council to certify election results after a certain number of days. There are over 1,600 registered voters in Chatfield. Only 433 participated in the election or roughly 25%. “Yes” votes numbered 237 and “no” votes numbered 196. The council accepted the results, certifying them as accurate as presented.
The majority number of “yes” votes means the city council has the authority to issue bonds. Young noted there are conceptual plans already; the next step is the design phase.
Mayor Russ Smith expressed his disappointment in the low turnout. He explained his disappointment wasn’t in the result, either for or against, but the lack of participation. This will have a “big impact on the city’s budget for years to come.” The results just represent a “small sampling.”
Other business in brief
• Marty Walsh introduced himself. He is the new Fillmore County EDA director. He will be working with cities and townships that don’t have an EDA, but also hopes to work in cooperation with those cities that do have an EDA. Their goal is the same, to strengthen and grow the local economy.
• A public hearing was held concerning the city’s list of delinquent utility bills. There was no comment from the public. A resolution was approved to have the county auditor collect delinquent utility bills with property taxes. Smith commented that this is a yearly process, as some residents or businesses prefer to pay their utility bills with their property taxes.
• Approval was given to buy equipment for the new squad car at a total cost of $10,886 with shipping. Fire Safety USA will install and provide much of the interior equipment at a cost of $9,586. Advanced Graphix will do the graphics at a cost of $1,013. Baycom, Inc. will provide the squad printer at a cost of $287.
• The second pay estimate to Edge Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $158,147.83 was approved. The Industrial Drive project is 40.5% complete. The total paid to date is $292,109.39.
• The CEDA contract for 2018 was approved. An average of 16 hours of staff hours per week come at a cost of $41,124 for the year.
• A contract with Bolton & Menk for 14 hours of service per week was approved with a fee increase of $130, or $4,250 per month in 2018.