fOn October 2, the Ostrander City Council held a regular meeting. All members were in attendance (Vernon Thompson, Pam Kunert, Mayor Pat Nesler, City Clerk Wendy Brincks, Heidi Jones and DJ Start). Regarding the street and infrastructure project, Brincks stated, “We do have the final walk-through for construction October 31. It will be the complete overall checklist at 10 a.m. that day.” She invited interested council members to attend.
Brincks read the written report from Deputy Leif Erickson, which showed a total of 12 calls in September, including two noise complaints, two disabled vehicles, two ambulance calls, and one each of welfare check, theft, animal complaint, parking complaint, damage to property, and civil call. She added that Deputy Erickson reported September had been “a quiet month.”
Also, regarding law enforcement, Mayor Nesler asked, “Is anybody seeing any patrolling during the day, in the last month, two months?” Others stated they hadn’t noticed deputies patrolling during daytime. Brincks pointed out that the noise complaints have been around 11 p.m. She will ask Deputy Erickson for a summary of the dates and times that officers have patrolled the city.
The council discussed what products would be best to use on the new sidewalks when snow and ice removal becomes necessary this winter. Members agreed that salt is very damaging, and they do not want the new sidewalks to be damaged so soon. There was mention of a corn-derivative product, and a citizen suggested kitty litter. No action was taken at this time.
The council approved paying a bill from Wapasha Construction for just over $197,000, and a bill from A-1 Excavating for just over $183,000. It was also pointed out that an interested person made an offer on the city’s former patrol car. The city will post the vehicle for other interested parties to submit bids.
There was discussion about possibly increasing wages for the mayor and council members, but the council voted unanimously to leave their wages unchanged. DJ Start pointed out, “We’re not in this for the money.”
It was mentioned that on September 24, the city’s attorney (Jennifer Gumbel) sent a letter, as requested, to the Minnesota Attorney General regarding the possible conflict of interest which had been discussed at a previous council meeting. No response has yet been received.
The previously scheduled meeting with a representative from the League of Minnesota Cities has been postponed to allow for incoming council members to be in attendance. The exact meeting date isn’t set, but is expected to be in February. Due to a conflict with Election Day (November 6) the next regular meeting of the city council will be November 8 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.