At the September 11 Chatfield City Council meeting, the long standing waste hauling agreement with William Hanson was updated with four amendments. Councilor Joshua Broadwater was absent.
City Clerk Joel Young noted the amending of the agreement was delayed for a time until the ordinance regarding recycling fees was updated.
Brian Burkholder, Public Works, reported that booster pump #2 needs to be rebuilt. It is pumping 150 gallons less per minute than booster pump #1 which was rebuilt by TEC Industrial in 2013. Approval was given to have pump #2 rebuilt by TEC Industrial at a cost of $1,059.24 as recommended by the Public Works committee.
Police Chief Shane Fox asked for and received approval to purchase a new squad car from Sugar Loaf Ford, Winona, at a cost of $28,517. This was a slightly higher quote than from two other dealers, but justified to be close enough in order to buy from a local dealership. The car being replaced has 105,000 miles on it.
Approval was given to enter into an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Toward Zero Deaths, for traffic safety enforcement. This enhanced enforcement program is administered by the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department.
Other business in brief
• Councilor Paul Novotny reported on the Personnel/Budget committee. He said the budget is getting nearly tolerable. The preliminary 2018 levy will have to be approved at the next council meeting. It can be lowered, but not raised when the final levy is approved late in the year. The Industrial Drive debt for utility and street improvements will add $86,000 to the budget. Mayor Russ Smith commented on the Industrial Drive expense; we are getting grant money we don’t want to see go away. This grant money is targeted for the Industrial Drive project. Councilor Mike Urban said he hoped the levy increase set at the next meeting can be lowered later in the year.
• The acquisition of federal military surplus equipment which will come to the city free of cost through the Rochester Fire Department was approved. The only cost to the city is shipping of the equipment. Items the Chatfield Fire Department hopes to get include a UTV, air compressor, ice machine, and inflatable rubber boat.
• A membership fee of $150 was approved to join the Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails Council. This council advocates for parks and trails funding from the legislature and state agencies.
• Authorization was given to try and sell the city’s old Christmas decorations on public surplus.
• Novotny reported that two hydrants aren’t operable and another leaks. Approval was given to accept a quote of $7,250 from Griffin Construction to replace five of the city’s 10 hydrants.