The Ostrander City Council held a regular meeting on December 3, with all members present (Stephanie Start, Dan Hellerud, DJ Start, Mayor Pam Kunert, Vernon Thompson, and City Clerk Wendy Brincks). City maintenance head Jeremy Runkle was also present. Brincks shared information, including an email from County Auditor/Treasurer Heidi Jones, which explained that for a precinct/city of Ostrander’s size, a significant cost savings could be realized by switching to having all election ballots cast through the mail, rather than by having in-person voting sites. Fillmore County had eight mail ballot precincts in the 2018 elections.
Jones’ email stated that Ostrander has 134 registered voters, and Bricks said Ostrander usually sees about 20-30 voters actually cast a ballot, although she said it’s been up around 50 during presidential elections. The total cost of mail balloting for a single election, according to Jones’ email, would be around $817, which Jones said is well below the cost of the equipment used for in-person voting, let alone the pay for election judges’ time and training. Mail balloting includes postage-paid envelopes in which voters submit their ballots.
Jones’ email also stated that other small towns or townships which have tried mail balloting have seen good turnout percentages (ranging from 65% to 85%), and she said Ostrander could switch back at any time if mail balloting was not something the city wished to continue. Brincks pointed out that Ostrander will have three election days in 2020 (a Presidential Primary on March 3, a Primary on August 11, and a General/Presidential on November 3). The council voted to try the mail balloting process, at least for the March election, and will evaluate it after that.
Brincks clarified that during the November meeting, Joe O’Connell presented a price quote for snow removal, but the city did not make a formal decision at that time. Quotes are still being accepted. The council chose to set a “workshop” meeting on December 9 at 7 p.m. to discuss options for snow removal, and may have a special council meeting that evening to formally make a decision.
Runkle informed the council that he recently attended a training on how to respond if/when the city has issues with emerald ash borer infestation in the city’s ash trees. He also said he has not yet received the holiday season banners and brackets that the city ordered. Council members mentioned that they’ve heard good feedback from citizens who are happy with Runkle’s performance, and Stephanie Start added, “Keep up the good work.”
The city received a request from Judy Tiemen for the city to relocate the water shut-off for her property, since it is not actually on her property. After discussion, the council decided to ask the city attorney to consider this issue and applicable statutes.
Brincks asked the council to consider a proposed Resolution for Excessive Force Policy, which she said Ostrander is required to adopt in order to be eligible for a Small Cities Grant. After brief discussion, the council voted to adopt the resolution as proposed.
The council reviewed a printout shared by Brincks, which shows attendance and hours of service for the city’s first responders, fire department crew, and city council members. She will use that data to determine pay for the year.
The council was informed of a scam currently happening throughout the county in which the caller appears to be from the Fillmore County Sheriff Department, and says that there is a charge pending against someone at the number called. Brincks said the Sheriff’s Department would not make such a call, and it appears to be an effort to get a person to agree to make an immediate payment. Anyone getting such a call is asked to notify the sheriff’s department. A written report from the Fillmore County Sheriff’s office summarized the service and patrol activity provided to Ostrander for the month of November, which included seven ambulance calls, one warrant, one theft, one scam, and one domestic disturbance. The next regular meeting of the city council will be Tuesday, January 7 at 6:30 p.m., in the community center. The public is welcome.
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