Photo by Frederick Beseler
The Hokah City Council met February 7 at the Hokah Fire Department. Mayor Lee Tippery called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Also present were Lindsey Martell, city clerk/treasurer, and Council members Cindy Oldenburg, Tom Bernsdorf, Cory Lorenz and Tom Oldenburg.
The January 3 council meeting minutes, bills payable report (through February 7) and the consolidated balance sheet as of January 31 were all approved in a single consent motion and vote.
Fire department
Fire Chief Lance Ross reported that the fire department currently has 19 members, including seven first responders, nine firefighters, and six firefighters/first responders – however three firefighters retired in January 2023, representing 112 years of service to the Hokah community. There are efforts to recruit more members as the chief would like to have 25 to 30 firefighters and first responders.
During 2022 the fire department had 73 calls for service, including 59 first responder calls and 14 fire department calls for various reason such as vehicle accidents, fires, calls for mutual aid, a search and rescue, and one call to assist the Highway Department. Thirty-five calls came from the City of Hokah, 14 from Hokah Township, 11 from Mound Prairie Township, seven from Brownsville Township and six from Union Township.
The fire department received ARP money for a gear extractor and dryer, 12 SCBA oxygen bottles, a gas and LP detector, additional EMS bags and equipment, and flashlights.
First responders are now trained on NARCAN use and NARCAN is now carried on the first responder truck.
The fire department anticipates receiving a $7,000 reimbursement for training. The department is using Riverland Technical Community College for training. The department is also developing a matching grant request to purchase some new fire hose this summer.
Police department
Police Officer Mike Rasmussen reported on behalf of Chief Schuldt who was absent. The department received 54 calls in January. Hokah residents are reminded that golf cart license renewals are due.
City engineer report
Director of Public Works Eli Craig reported that the request for bids on the wastewater plant project has been posted publicly and will close February 15 when the bids will be reviewed publicly.
Streets/Maintenance Report
The city’s “mule” vehicle needs repair. The council discussed whether to sell or repair the vehicle. Mayor Tippery suggested that based on the limited usage of the mule, the city spend up to $2000 for repairs and then sell the vehicle. After repairs the vehicle would have an estimated value of $4,000 to $5,000. Accordingly, a motion was seconded and approved.
The council also approved $588 for the purchase of a new hydraulic cylinder for the city snowplow. The existing snowplow cylinder is leaking hydraulic fluid and needs replacement. The Maintenance Department will keep the old cylinder and possibly repair it to be kept as a spare.
It was also reported that one of the rooftop heating and air conditioning units at the city hall building was recently repaired. It was discovered that the exhaust fan is reaching the end of its service life and the cost to repair is $1,500. The council approved an expenditure of $1,500 for a new unit while retaining the old, repaired unit as a spare system.
The lease for the city’s Bobcat front end loader will be renewed. The street department will lease a new Bobcat with all hand controls, but keep the old bucket, thereby offsetting the additional cost of the hand controls.
Council member Tom Oldenburg complimented the Street Department for excellent work in snow plowing/removal.
Recreation Board report
The city will be posting for a recruiting for additional life guards for the city pool. There are currently five lifeguards, but eight or nine are needed.
New business
There was a lengthy discussion concerning the Hokah Food Shelf (HFS) lease agreement relative to liability insurance. A formal lease agreement between the City and HFS, located in the library lower level, has been drafted. The HFS is currently not covered by the city’s umbrella insurance policy. However, as a non-profit, the HFS cannot afford the estimated liability insurance premium of up to $500 per year. If required to purchase a liability policy the FHS may have to shut down. All council members agreed that the FHS is a worthy, valuable resource for the Hokah community and will be studying ways to help the food shelf remain open. Among the potential solutions discussed: split the cost of a policy premium with the FHS, donate the premium to the FHS, or add the FHS to the city’s policy. The council voted to table the issue, pending further study.
Council member comments
Council Member Tom Bernsdorf suggested that the City may want to consider upgrading the maintenance building by installing an overhead door, finishing the floor and adding insulation. He also reported the blower building at the wastewater treatment plant needs inspection and repairs
Mayor Tippery adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting will be March 7 at 6 p.m. at the Hokah Fire Department, 9 Mill St.
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