The first meeting of 2017 for the Peterson City Council, Wednesday, January 11, held several organizational items, including several items of old business. Additionally, acting clerk and Councilor Gail Boyum swore in reelected Mayor Tim Hallum and Councilor Loren Rue, as well as newly elected Councilor Chris Grindland.
Following the oath of office, the council got right to work with items related to liability and insurance for the city. Annually, participating municipalities are required to sign a waiver with three options regarding statutory tort limits through the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT). This covers instances of lawsuit such as where a claimant sues the city for causing harm, including through negligence. Councilor Boyum indicated that former Councilor Dick Lee met with Insurance Provider Dennis Overland prior to leaving office regarding this coverage. It was recommended by Overland that the council change the vote of December 14, 2016 to waive the limits.
According to the LMCIT waiver, the city may opt not to waive the limit, resulting in a claimant being able to recover no more than $500,000 on any claim where it applies. Total all claimants could recover for a single occurrence is limited to $1,500,000. Should the municipality waive the limits and not purchase excess liability coverage, claimants are eligible to recover no more than $2,000,000 for a single occurrence, regardless of the number of claimants. The third option, waiving the limit and purchasing excess coverage, financial recovery is limited to the amount of coverage purchased, regardless of the number of claimants. Following the professional recommendation, the council voted unanimously to waive the statutory tort limits.
Regarding personal property insurance for the city, rates for city hall, a city-owned garage, museum property and contents, bandstand, concession stand, storage shed, the post office building and storage, the sewage lift station, sewage disposal plant, sewage equipment, and well pump house all saw increases in rate for 2017. The city truck reduced in cost, due to depreciation.
The council continues to search for the next city clerk, following the November resignation of Leanne Kasper. A committee consisting of Councilors Gail Boyum and Dave Colbenson has seen a number of viable candidates apply and interview for the position. “There are really good qualifications,” noted Boyum. A special meeting to select a new clerk has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 18, at 6:00 p.m., at city hall.
In the meantime, Boyum will continue to serve as acting clerk, taking care of daily duties such as email and basic paperwork. Kasper has continued to assist the city, serving as treasurer until a replacement is found. Former clerk Megan Boyum, who resigned in March of 2016, also continues to serve the city by compiling end of year reports. “It’s worked out well and it’s nice that all three of us have been able to put it together,” added Gail Boyum. “It’s been a smooth transition.”
In a last matter of old business, the council unanimously approved a transfer from the General Fund to the Sewer Collection and Disposal Fund (602) to cover a shortage. The amount of the transfer is $7,343.84. From this point, Mayor Tim Hallum doesn’t anticipate further shortfalls to the fund. “With all that’s been taking place, we should be good,” he stated. Monthly reports currently detail the fund balances, but it was suggested that the new city clerk present the balances in a summary on a quarterly basis. “If something catches their eye, they can alert the council,” said Councilor Rue.
In annual assignments and organization, several items, including official newspaper (Fillmore County Journal), Depository (Rushford State Bank and F&M Community Bank), City Attorney (Nethercutt Schieber, PLLP), Auditor (Engelson & Associates), and Insurance (League of Minnesota Cities and Western Security, Dennis Overland, agent) will remain the same as the previous year.
There were two councilors who expressed an interest in serving as acting mayor. “I’d like to take a stab at it,” said Councilor Dave Colbenson. Also noting an interest was Councilor Loren Rue.
Mayor Tim Hallum noted that in the past, acting mayor has largely served during daytime functions and when signatures are needed by the bank when Hallum is out of town. “I don’t have a problem with either,” said Hallum referring to the two nominees. Councilor Boyum cited a desire to have a nominee who can be available for daytime functions. Colbenson noted he works in Winona until 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, but is available otherwise. Rue indicated he is typically available during the day.
Councilor Grindland agreed with Boyum. “Both are good candidates. You have to consider if you’ll be available during the day if something happens. I would like someone who can be available.” It was motioned and approved that Councilor Loren Rue serve as acting mayor. It was also determined that Councilor Colbenson would continue to serve on the Finance Committee handling claims, while Grindland will assume the committee role of verifying receipts.
An update regarding the Planning Commission indicates that Fillmore County zoning maps for the city may be completed and ready for public hearing in another month. When complete, the maps will be sent to Planning Commission member Karlin Symons, who will present them to the rest of the commission and the council at a later meeting.
“They have documentation of the final and are going over that to see if there are any changes,” said Rue, a council representative to the commission. “They’ve been slow in getting them to Karlin.”
Once the mapping is complete, notification of a public hearing will go out and a hearing will be held. Changes, if any, may be made as a result of hearing input. If nothing significant comes up, Zoning could make a recommendation to the council within the next 60 days or so. A recap of the hearing will be drafted by the city’s legal counsel and published in the paper. “It’s been a long process on this zoning,” added Mayor Hallum.
New business saw details of a Root River Trail Towns bike ride come forth. According to Councilor and Trail Towns committee member Boyum, approximately 150-300 bicycle riders are slated to stay in Peterson on Thursday, July 6, 2017. The riders will be camping in the city park, with primitive camping on the school athletic fields, by permission from the R-P School District. That evening, riders will enjoy music at the city bandstand. Costs associated with the music are paid for by the group. The following morning, the group will be served breakfast by Burdey’s Café.
Boyum requested the city waive the campground fee and bandstand fees as it did with a similar city-promoting event in 2016. Additionally, the city would provide hookup to water and sewer for the group’s portable shower truck. It was also suggested the city see if the café would want to remain open late and review how having participants could patronize the American Legion, bringing purchased drinks out to the bandstand area. Reservations for the city campground have been closed off for July 6 to accommodate the group.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Wednesday, February 8, at 6 p.m., at City Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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