At the June 12 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, refuse was again on the agenda. In early May the council raised the cost of a 40 gallon garbage bag 30 cents to $1.95, the first increase since 2004.
This day the recycling pick-up frequency was increased to weekly from every other week. This will result in a base fee increase of $1.93 per month. The increase of recycling pick-ups from 24 to 52 weeks each year was approved.
The fuel surcharge was also discussed. City Clerk Joel Young said the Public Services committee had looked at the possibility of eliminating the surcharge. The elimination of the surcharge would be replaced with an increase of the base fee by 83 cents per month. This would make the surcharge invisible. However, the committee thinks the fuel surcharge system currently in effect works well. Young stated if the surcharge was eliminated on the billing, there would have to be a change in the agreement between the city and the hauler.
Councilor Paul Novotny insisted the fuel surcharge is the only fair way to pay what is due at the time. Some citizens have questioned the reason for the surcharge when the fuel price is down. The price is down from the high, but not to where it was when the surcharge was put into place. Young said the current charge reflects about $3 diesel fuel. He added they do use the regional index, noting this area is often about six cents over the regional index. The council took no action, leaving the surcharge in place as it is.
The Public Services committee is still discussing the use of a bag system versus a cart system for garbage.
Grant application
EDA Coordinator Chris Giesen explained that the EDA recommends the city apply to the state of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for a Greater Minnesota Development Public Infrastructure Grant to help pay for paving a portion of Industrial Drive. The grant could cover up to 50% of the cost, or about $177,000. Water and sewer improvements are not eligible for the grant program.
Giesen said the grant would have to be awarded before bids could be accepted, adding there are no guarantees. A resolution authorizing the application on behalf of the city of Chatfield was approved.
Other business in brief
• Police Chief Shane Fox, Officer Miliander, and Mike Urban had interviewed nine candidates to serve as part time police officers. The council approved the hire of four of the candidates pending background checks: Casey McCready, Bronson Hindal, Nic Stevens, and Matthew Verdick.
Approval was given for a joint powers agreement with the state of Minnesota, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. This agreement allows access to systems and tools available on the Minnesota state criminal justice data communications network.
• Approval was given to apply for regional park status for the Chosen Valley Regional Park (Mill Creek Park, Groen Park, and surrounding areas). The application goes to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission. The city does not currently own all of the property.
• The council approved the purchase of a Neopost folding/stuffing machine at a cost of $6,820. A maintenance agreement for the machine will cost $1,260 per year. The staff time that is saved with the use of the machine for folding paper and then stuffing envelops is expected to return the investment in a few years.
• A proposal from Griffin Construction to clean out a drainage ditch was approved.
• Fox suggested people check their vehicles for spray paint damage. Vandals spray painted some vehicles out of a moving vehicle (fly by spraying) on the north side of town over the weekend.
• Approval was given for the closure of a portion of Fillmore St. for outdoor services at the Chatfield Lutheran Church.
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