Brian Burkholder, Public Works, requested approval for park and recreation maintenance and improvement items at the April 11 meeting of the Chatfield city council.
The Aqua zip line at the swimming pool has been a popular feature, but there have been issues with the current retractor style system. Burkholder explained there is a new design that is gravity fed and does not need retractors. The retractor system which has been in use was under a three-year warranty, which has expired. A retrofit of the retraction unit which will cost $1,700 was approved.
Gravel was installed last fall around the dugouts at Mill Creek Park. To complete the upgrade and to make it compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act standards, Burkholder requested approval of the low bid (of three) submitted by Dan Ramaker Concrete in the amount of $15,000 for the installation of new concrete in the area around the dugouts and bleacher area. The low quote for concrete was roughly the same as a quote for blacktop for those areas, but concrete will last longer.
The low concrete bid was approved along with a bid in the amount of $2,499 from Asphalt Armor-blacktop for the new walking path to the playground, as recommended by Burkholder.
The bandshell in city park will get a facelift with some repairs and new paint. The wood repair quote from Claude Moore in the amount of $5,210.80 and the painting quote from Fenske Painting and Decorating LLC in the amount of $5,600 were both approved. Carmen Narveson, who requested the facelift, reached out for grant funding and received $2,000 each from the booster club and the community foundation, along with $1,000 from the fire department, for a total of $5,000. The city will pay for the remaining $5,810.
Kevin Koch was hired as a seasonal mower. He has worked for the city as a summer helper for the last two years.
Burkholder received approval to advertise the old Lonestone Park equipment on Public Surplus for two weeks with no minimum bid.
The retirement of Bill DuBord was accepted with thanks, effective May 31. Authorization was given to begin the process to fill the position.
Steven Schlichter announced that the Chatfield Wastewater Treatment Facility and staff received a Certificate of Commendation from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for the 2021 reporting year for exceptional compliance with its permit. Schlichter reported details on the data submitted, which all met the limits set in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The commendation says the efforts to protect Minnesota’s waters are duly recognized and appreciated. Schlichter said the facility has achieved great numbers and it has a great staff. It takes a group effort to get to these levels.
Mayor Russ Smith congratulated Schlichter and the WWTF staff. Schlichter noted that there have been a couple of sewer blockages and warned against putting non-flushable wipes in the toilet. He stated, “nobody wants a backup in their basement.”
Other business in brief
• The firewalls in the police department, city hall, and the fire hall/shop need to be replaced/updated. City Clerk Joel Young said the police department firewall comes to the end of its service life in August and the fire hall/shop will be at the end if its service life within two years. Replacing all three firewalls at the same time offers savings in labor and gives the city improved data security. The upgrade from Marco Technologies, LLC was approved as presented at a total cost of $19,408.60 including labor.
• Mayor Russ Smith reported there will be an Earth Day Community Celebration on April 23 at Savanna Spring Nature Center from noon to 3 p.m. There will be gifts for the first 50 children to attend the event. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Savanna Springs, Lost Creek Hiking Trail, Chatfield Alliance, and Chatfield Ministerial. The first Earth Day was in 1970 and has been celebrated each year on April 22. The theme for 2022 is “Invest in Our Planet.”
• A donation in the amount of $15,000 was accepted from the Firefighters Activities Association to be deposited in the Fire Department Capital Goods Fund.
• Councilor Pam Bluhm reported that the citywide rummage/garage sales will be on May 7.
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