The Rushford Village Council held their annual meeting January 18. Committee Designations for 2022 will remain the same with the exception of Personnel & Finance Committee. Citing a lack of availability and experience with Personnel issues, Councilor Bob Hart asked to be removed from the committee, unsure if the Personnel & Finance duties could be split and shared by two councilors. Councilor Mike Ebner was nominated by Councilor Roger Knutson for the personnel portion, while Hart will continue on with the finance portion. Councilor Rick Ruberg is the other member of the Personnel & Finance Committee. Knutston and Ebner will continue to serve on the Equipment Committee.
Discussion regarding zoning included a chart review of how much has been taken in through permits, how many permits were written, and what was put up. Regarding permitting fees, there is a deficit for 2021. “I believe it’s to be expected,” said Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit. “It’s a $4,000 difference between income and cost.”
With zoning fees, the city attempts a break even, but never has been able to achieve that. “Planning & Zoning had quite a discussion tonight,” continued Pettit. “We’re a service to Rushford Village and it should be covered by taxes. It’s a service for everybody.” The council approved the fee schedule for 2022 as is.
A review of the city’s finances prompted some question of whether or not additional goals should be set. “With investments, is there a certain goal or dollar amount you’re looking at? Is there anything that says, ‘Here’s what our goal is?’ How do we maintain that?” asked Knutson.
Graham indicated that the council can invest in more whenever they want, but did add caution. “If you want more, we can raise the rates, but that doesn’t seem fair,” she said. “Unlike the city, we don’t have anything really expensive that could break down overnight. We used to put a little aside every year when we’d take out loans, but we stopped doing that.”
Still, Knutson and Overland thought it may be nice to have a goal. “Here I worry about something catastrophic… two or three bridges get wiped out or something,” noted Knutston.
“We shouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel here. I think we might look at the League [of Minnesota Cities] to see if there’s something,” suggested Overland. It was also clarified by Clerk Miner that the city is required to do an investment every year. City staff will look into it further.
Regarding indebtedness, the city currently has just over $1 million outstanding as of January 1. This includes only the new bond for street repair and the loans for water and sewer needs. $130,105 will be made in payments for 2022 leaving a combined principal balance of $944,128 at the end of the year.
The rate and fee schedule presented no proposed changes other than mileage reimbursement and a 2.5% cost of living increase for city employees. However, the council felt some other rates needed increases to keep better pace with inflation and rates of similar municipalities.
The rate for snowplow drivers was raised in 2020, but was not originally slated to receive the cost of living increase. The council opted to apply the percentage increase to employee positions across the board. Additionally, the substitute snowplow driver rate, which is hourly, was also increased to $16/hour after discussion.
Hart questioned council rates. It’s typically tough for municipalities to find community members to serve on councils, committees, and boards, and some noted raising the Village Council’s rate may help that.
“It hasn’t been raised in 25 years,” said Graham. “Any time they talked about it, they said they weren’t here for the money.” Councils cannot increase the wages for council members and have it take effect immediately. Rather, to prevent them from essentially giving themselves raises, the increase doesn’t take effect until the following year, agreed upon at election time.’’
“It’s tough to get people in here. I think we set it tonight with the understanding that it doesn’t go into effect until next year. I’ve looked at others and we’re way behind,” said Knutson.
After discussion, it was decided to raise council member rates to $75 per meeting with the mayor earning $85 per meeting, or $15/hour for non-meeting work. The council typically holds two meetings a month, except in January, and occasionally special meetings. In the past, because of the length of time for the annual meeting, the council earned more for this meeting. The council opted to reduce payment for this meeting to the new rate. “The annual meeting could be the same, I don’t see why we should get more. It takes a little longer, but that’s it,” explained Hart.
Rates for Planning & Zoning Board members, which had also not been raised in some time and stood at $30 per meeting, was also increased. The board members hold one meeting a month for one and a half hours at most. The council opted to increase the rate to $50 per meeting and $15/hour with a maximum of 10 hours per work outside of meetings. “Their contribution is as significant as ours is. I don’t see why it would be unfair (meeting once a month),” noted Hart. Their new rate takes effect immediately.
Public Works Supervisor Trenten Chiglo’s rate will be reviewed when he completes testing for water and wastewater licensing.
Chiglo highlighted projects both complete and incomplete for 2021 and goals for the new year. The majority of what was done includes cleaning ditches of debris, installing culvert markers on roads (50% complete), replacing faded road signs, moving the digital speed sign, and cleaning of the maintenance shop, of which the inventory recording is still in progress. “Not much off the list has gotten done,” said Chiglo.
Suggested additions to the goal list include a new 450 blade/plow or wings to widen plow paths and potential replacement of the 450 truck or possible upgrade to a 550. “It will go downhill quickly in the next few years,” noted Chiglo.
Knutson noted these specific trucks are now much more affordable than they used to be. There are state-bid programs that allow municipalities to buy new trucks at reduced rates and then trade them in on an annual basis, however these programs do not apply well to bigger trucks with mounted equipment. “It’s not good if you’re going to start putting attachments on it,” cautioned Knutson. The council will look more into available options.
Other suggested goal additions were a wash bay for new equipment, upgrading the pressure washer to a heated one, and a backup pump for the lift station in South Rushford. There are American Rescue Plan Act funds available for some needs. Clerk Miner noted the city is already planning to utilize the funds for replacing water meters, a generator, the lift station, and the comprehensive plan update, as well as potentially the pressure washer, sanitizing equipment for the playground and community center, and replacement of chairs and new paint in the community center.
“One of the goals should include hiring a part-time person to get these things accomplished,” suggested Knutson.
“Yes, some of these goals take two people,” added Overland. The council approved the goal list with additions unanimously.
The last item of discussion was the recent League of Minnesota Cities appraisal of city property. There were some wide discrepancies and the city’s insurance agent is checking into whether or not errors were made on the figures as the appraised amount will greatly affect the insurance premiums for the year.
Looking at the figures, Miner showcased the city value versus new appraised value on several items. The open shelter at city hall was previously listed at just $21,525 replacement cost and was appraised at $73,500. Likewise, a park shelter was previously $6,418 and it is now appraised at $17,300. The lift station was previously listed at $73,582 and it was newly appraised at a whopping $293,000.
“There has to be an error in there somewhere,” said Knutson.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Tuesday, February 1, at 7 p.m., at the Village Hall. T he meeting is open to the public.