Wykoff Council Advances Infrastructure Plans, Approves Local Loan Request

By Zech Sindt

The Wykoff City Council held its regular monthly meeting on February 10 at 7 p.m., with all council members and officials present, including Mayor Ryan Breckenridge, City Administrator Becky Schmidt, Administrative Assistant Luann Hare, and council members Barbara Fate, Kaleb Himli, Jeffrey Hare and Jane Baker.

Brett Grabau from Stantec presented the plans and specifications for the 2025 Street and Utility Improvement Project. The project will focus on North Line Street from West Fillmore Street to West Bartlett Street, West Bartlett Street from North Line Street to North Gold Street, and the fire hall sanitary sewer. This includes the trunk sanitary sewer main within rear yards between the North Line Street residential homes and the fire hall, as well as along the parking lot north of the fire hall extending to North Gold Street. The council approved the plans and agreed to move forward with the bidding process.

Kati Lentz from Smith Schafer CPA firm reviewed the city’s annual audit. As of December 31, 2024, the General Fund unassigned reserves stood at 88% of the year’s general fund expenditures. The General Fund saw a decrease in reserves by $22,733, including net transfers out of $20,296. Fire operations remain supported by local townships and the city. The city currently has a Capital Improvement Fund balance of $229,279 set aside for future needs. All bond payments were made on time, leaving $109,576 in debt service funds for future payments. Water fund rates continue to cover expenses and debt service, while the sewer fund operated at a loss of $23,142 after receiving transfers of $6,000 from the General Fund and $10,000 from the Water Fund. Despite the sewer fund’s deficit, Lentz stated that overall, the city’s finances remain strong.

The fire department provided an update on the insurance claim regarding damage to the fire truck’s pump. Fire Chief Mike Lund had previously voiced his disagreement with the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance, which attributed the damage to the pump running dry. Lund refuted this, asserting that the truck had been full of water at the time of the incident. City Administrator Schmidt advised that the city could appeal the insurance company’s decision. Lund clarified that the issue stemmed from a lack of water movement, not a lack of water itself. The insurance company is still assessing the claim, agreeing to cover some costs but leaving the primary component of the pump’s repair in question. The council also approved an expenditure of $1,374.10 from Alex Air Apparatus to update the fire department’s care packages.

Cory Bremseth from First Responders was absent, but City Administrator Schmidt reported that the First Responders responded to six calls in the past month. Bremseth has requested enrollment for three firefighters in an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) class set to begin in March and conclude in April, though the cost of the course remains undetermined. No sheriff’s report was available this month.

Under Old Business, Schmidt is investigating whether the city’s grant application for library funding will continue moving forward, as multiple federal funds remain frozen. No money has been spent on the project yet, so if the grant does not proceed, the city will not incur any losses.

The council discussed the Arvig right-of-way permit application, which had been tabled for two months. The delay was due to the city working on an ordinance requiring Arvig to video any boring work to prevent damage to underground lines. The permit was approved, contingent on the resolution of the ordinance.

A revolving loan request from The Gateway Cafe at 118 Gold Street North was reviewed and approved. The cafe requested $25,000 for a $29,000 project, which includes an elevator installation, basement stair reconstruction, electrical upgrades, and new flooring. The council approved the loan.

Councilors also debated transitioning water and sewer billing statements to email on a monthly basis. Schmidt noted that if at least 50 residents signed up for electronic billing, the program would break even, and any additional participants would generate cost savings for the city while reducing staff workload.

The city’s new emergency siren is tentatively scheduled for installation on February 17 by Sheboygan Warning Systems of Sheboygan, Wis.

Under New Business, the council revisited the contract renewal for Maier Tree and Lawn. A vote was held, and the decision not to renew the contract passed 3-2.