Mayor Russ Smith proclaimed May 21-27 as Emergency Medical Services Week at the city council’s May 8 meeting. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent.
There will be an EMS Open House on May 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During that time there will be refreshments and demonstrations of the 12 lead defibrillator and the new LUCAS, an automated CPR device which was obtained through a grant.
The winner of the poster contest at the elementary school will get a ride to school in an ambulance. The theme for EMS week is “EMS Strong, Always in Service.”
Councilor Mike Urban extended the council’s appreciation for the efforts of past and present members.
Garbage update
Approval was given to raise the cost of a 40-gallon garbage bag 30 cents to $1.95. The cost has not been raised since 2004. The additional cost will help cover the cost of the bag, the cost of distributing the bags to the public, and the cost of the tipping fee at the landfill. The cost of a smaller bag will be raised from $1.15 to $1.45.
Councilor Joshua Broadwater disagreed with the higher cost of the bags requested by the hauler and voted against the increase. He again suggested the council look into a container system.
The first consideration of Ordinance #426 was approved, an amendment to the City Code regarding the destination of waste. This would allow Fillmore County waste produced in the city to be hauled both in and out of the county.
An amended Waste Hauling Agreement was approved contingent on final approval of the ordinance amendment.
Other business in brief
• Jenny Bradt, secretary/treasurer for the Lost Creek Hiking Trail, reported on events at the trail over the last year. The city’s allocation was used for advertising and brochures. Other costs include guides, insurance, and the Trailhead sign. Some events included the Candlelight Snowshoe Hike, the Fall Trail Run, and Western Days Stampede.
The trail is used by organized groups like the scouts and the Southeast MinnesotaTrail Runners.
Bradt said the trail sees more use every year. City Clerk Joel Young said the annual allocation is in the city’s budget. The donation request was approved.
Bradt thanked the landowners for allowing the trail to run across their land.
• An amendment to the Wellhead Protection Plan was approved. Brian Burkholder explained the main purpose of the plan is to protect our drinking water.
He emphasized that land management is most important and the key to controlling nitrate levels. The plan will be in review until June 14 and there will be a public hearing on the plan in July.
• Approval was given as recommended by Burkholder to hire Austin Hines as the part time summer helper.
• Two quotes were received to replace a tank level sensor in the north sludge storage tank. Burkholder recommended the higher quote of $1,975.38 submitted by ABB, Berg-Johnson Associates, Inc., as it is the same brand as the damaged sensor and will not require a special controller that would need to be purchased separately. The ABB quoted was approved.
• Approval was given to hire JS Voeltz at a cost of $3,000 to tile the playground in Mill Creek Park. The area continually fills with groundwater since the September flooding. It is not usable in its current condition. Burkholder said he requested and received an extension until late September from FEMA to replace the wood chips.