At the October 13 Harmony City Council meeting, SMIF President and CEO Benya Kraus addressed the council about SMIF’s work in the community and Southern Minnesota. “Your donation to SMIF allows us to continue to do this work,” she said. “Thank you for being part of that.” For every $1 donated in Fillmore County, $32 is invested back. SMIF’s areas of focus are early childhood, entrepreneurship and community vitality. Mayor Steve Donney thanked Kraus for how SMIF has helped Harmony. “SMIF has really allowed the Harmony Area Community Foundation to grow,” he said.
The consent agenda was approved and included the minutes of the September 8 meeting and the September 16 joint planning session meeting, the claims and September checks, the investment report and cash balances, and the 2027 MMUA Safety Management fee of $17,040. Pay grade promotions were approved for Deputy Clerk Lisa Morken, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor Corey Whalen, and Library Director Cara McCoy on the recommendation of the Personnel Committee.
Pay request #1 in the amount of $84,122.50 from H&M Underground was approved for the first lead service line replacement project. The plans for the second project were reviewed, and the advertisement for public bids was approved.
The Personnel Committee has held multiple discussions and meetings with Local 49 Union to discuss the city’s union contract, and the union has ratified the tentative contract. The council reviewed and approved the contract with its changes.
Last month, the council approved the purchase of a new plow truck from Dave Syverson Auto. The truck will need to have additional equipment installed after it arrives to allow for snow and ice removal. Two bids were received for the equipment package. The council approved the quote from Universal Truck Equipment in the amount of $165,253.35 as it will allow the plow and other parts to be interchangeable between the new truck and the city’s 2018 plow truck.
The utility ordinances were amended to reflect any applicable fees rather than having a specific penalty amount noted.
Root River Church reached out to ask about street improvements for 7th Street by the church and the alley approach. The area isn’t on the street schedule yet, but given its significant defects and the risks of someone tripping and falling, it needs to be done now. The council approved a quote from Driveway Specialist LLC in the amount of $16,550.
The EDA board received a Taylor Rural Improvement Grant to update the community center lighting to energy efficient LEDs. The sale of the JEM Theatre to Alicia Pearson should be closing soon. Pearson plans to keep it running as a theater and will be applying to the Downtown Revitalization Program for renovations and improvements.
The Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce has had two applications for the director position and is in the process of setting up interviews. Fall for Harmony was a successful event despite the rain.
The Park Board recommended approval of the purchase of two Altoz lawn mowers to replace the current ones at a cost of $18,254. The council approved the quote.
The Harmony Library Board noted that they are impressed with Director Cara McCoy’s work at the library and have received nothing but good comments from the public.
Arts Board student member Brielle Hjelmeland headed up Art on the Green for Fall for Harmony again this year with fellow student member Gracie Whalen’s help. Despite the rain, the event went well. The Arts Board recently hosted a viewing of the film “Centennial Farms of Harmony” at the JEM Theatre, which was attended by 114 people. Information on the residential lighting contest will be in the utility bills soon.
Harmony firefighter Brandon Koliha recently retired after 22 years on the department. The council thanked him for his years of service and dedication.
The date for the next public hearing for the proposed data center ordinance was changed to October 28 at 6 p.m. in the community center gym to allow all board members to be present.
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