During the Ostrander City Council meeting on April 3, Vernon Thompson was appointed to fill the vacancy on the council since Erin Volkart’s departure. The council heard from all three citizens interested in serving on the council. Jeremy Runkel explained to the council his interest in serving, stating, “I’ve got time, and I’m concerned about what happens in town.” Stephanie Start responded to a concern about having two council members from the same family, as she explained regarding her brother DJ, “Yes, he is my brother, but we don’t agree on everything.” Mayor Nesler added his opinion that, “I think in the last eight months, this council has suffered in the communication department.” He advocated that discussions should happen while the council is meeting rather than afterwards. After discussion, the council voted by secret ballot, and Thompson received the majority of the votes. He will start his service on the council at the May meeting. Heidi Jones encouraged Thompson and the other applicants to consider running for the council position when it is put to a public vote this fall. All members of the council were in attendance (Pam Kunert, Mayor Pat Nesler, City Clerk Wendy Brincks, Heidi Jones and DJ Start).
Wendy Brincks updated the council on the water billing situation. She had been working to fix a number of glitches that had happened with billing, and presented a list of proposed “write offs” totaling $829.39. After discussion, the council approved the write offs as submitted. Brincks said all other accounts are being paid off.
Deputy Leif Erickson gave a monthly report of police activity providing to Ostrander by the Fillmore County Sheriff’s department. He said, “In March, we had one vehicle off the road, two alarms, one warrant arrest, a child custody dispute, one ambulance call at the church, a welfare check, one information call, and two traffic contacts, one which resulted in a warrant and one resulted in a citation for speed.” Dustin Johnson gave an update on the fire department, including that the crew is looking to purchase an affordable pumper. He said if they do this, they will keep the current “old” pumper as a backup.
Andrew Forliti gave a summary of the annual financial audit performed by Smith Schafer & Associates. His presentation included that Ostrander received an unmodified “clean” report for 2017, with no Minnesota legal compliance exceptions. He pointed out that the small size of the city staff makes it impossible to segregate some accounting duties, and said for that reason, the council needs to always provide oversight on financial matters. The city’s General Fund balance increased to $21,881 in 2017. He also said the $12,682 in Trail Fund Cash Reserves could more effectively be used elsewhere, since it is generating very little interest and has no planned usage on the horizon; this issue will be added to the council’s May agenda. Forliti said Ostrander’s debt payments are being made timely, and the water and sewer funds are generating sufficient cash flow to service debt and improve cash reserves.
The council voted to pay an invoice from the engineering firm of Bolton & Menk, totaling $2,160. The invoice states that the Bidding & Negotiating phase of the infrastructure project is 100% complete. The council also voted to accept rural water financing (loan) of $510,000. There was discussion of Ostrander’s citywide clean-up. A tentative date of May 5 was set. Brincks will check with Waste Management for pricing, and citizens will be notified via an insert with water bills.
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. The next regular meeting of the council will be Tuesday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.
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