The Chatfield City Council, at their September 12 meeting, approved a Widseth proposal for engineering services to recommend infrastructure improvements and to estimate costs of those improvements for proposed areas of expansion of the city limits. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent.
The firm will analyze a possible Burr Oak Ave. NE extension north of Margaret St. NE and an expansion of infrastructure on Division St. NW. Recommendations for sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, stormwater facilities, streets and pedestrian facilities within the expansion areas will be provided. A cost estimate for each area will be provided. The cost to study the areas and provide the report will be about $7,760.
Approval was also given for Widseth to review current development standards (street and sidewalk locations and widths, bike lanes, etc.) and fees (sanitary and water charges or possible stormwater charges) in an attempt to stay current with existing and anticipated growth and development trends. They will look at the city’s current development rules and regulations and those of surrounding cities of similar size. The cost for this study will be about $5,230.
Both Widseth proposals were discussed at a Public Works committee before coming to the city council for approval.
The first payment to Osseo Construction, Co. LLC for work completed through August on 2022 Ground Water Storage Improvements was approved in the amount of $93,480. The project is ongoing.
Other business in brief
The second consideration of Ordinance 460, Garbage and Recycling fees and the publication of the ordinance were both approved.
An authorization for the city attorney to draft an ordinance to regulate the use of ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts was tabled and will be discussed more fully at the next city council meeting to be held on September 26.
Brian Burkholder explained the city’s 2004 Kubota RTV900W needs to be replaced. Three companies looked at the Kubota and offered price of a new unit with trade-in. Burkholder recommended an offer from Midwest Machinery Co., St. Charles. Approval was given to purchase a new 2022 John Deere Gator. The balance due with trade of the Kubota (allowing $5,260 for Kubota) is $7,740.
Steve Schlichter, WWTF superintendent, requested approval to kill off one of the six reed beds this year so the biosolid material can be applied on land next year. The reed beds have been in operation about 15 years. He explained the DNR will spray the bed to kill the reeds for free, as the reeds in the bed are now considered an invasive species. A new plant will need to be found to replace them. Authorization was given to sign a landowner agreement to allow the DNR to spray and kill the reeds in one of the beds.
A public hearing was held on the collection of delinquent/overdue utility accounts through property taxes. Mayor Russ Smith explained every year certain properties’ bills do not get paid throughout the year. There was no comment during the hearing. A resolution was adopted to authorize the collection of delinquent utility accounts for water, sewer, and garbage services through property taxes.
A resolution was approved accepting a donation to the city from Chatfield Youth Sports Association to be used for the Mill Creek Dugout project in the amount of $1,800.
Approval was given to use Mill Creek Park by PawPrint Brewery for KUBB tournament on October 8, including a permit to Chatfield Alliance to sponsor a food truck and to erect a tent for the day.
The city council will need to approve the preliminary budget at its next meeting. Two proposals are being looked at by councilors. The preliminary budget is a maximum which can be reduced when the final budget and levy is approved in December.
One proposal assumes the purchase of the Peoples Cooperative property and includes $35,000 to pay interest in 2023 which would continue in 2024. This could result in a 7.3% levy increase.
The second proposal assumes the purchase of the Peoples Cooperative property but assumes cash on hand will be used to cover the interest associated with the purchase. This option could result in a 5.8% levy increase.
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