Photo by Zech Sindt
The Wykoff City Council met for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. Mayor Ryan Breckenridge presided, with City Administrator Becky Schmidt, Administrative Assistant Luann Hare, and council members Barbara Fate and Jane Baker present. Council member Jeffrey Hare was absent due to vacation.
The first order of business was filling the vacant council seat previously held by Kaleb Himli. The council received letters of interest from Melissa (Missy) Musel and Mary Tjepkes. Following discussion, the council voted 2–1 in favor of Musel. With her appointment, committee assignments were adjusted. Mayor Breckenridge will take Himli’s place on the street committee, while Musel will join the personnel and park & rec committees.
There were no visitors at this meeting.
Rick Whitney of the Wastewater Treatment Plant reported issues resulting from ongoing construction. A new water line feeding Wykoff Commons lacked sufficient pressure to close Sloan valves, causing urinals and toilets to run continuously over the weekend. Separately, a homeowner mistakenly reactivated an old valve, causing water to circulate improperly and reducing pressure. These issues led to approximately 160,000 gallons of water being used over the weekend. Whitney said both problems should be resolved by the end of the week. Mayor Breckenridge stated the excess water usage should not be billed to homeowners, as the issues were caused by city construction.
In a brief update on the First Responders, Schmidt noted that three new recruits have been completing necessary coursework. Two have passed; one still needs to test. First Responder Director Cory Bremseth was not present.
Committee reports were minimal. The personnel, streets, community education, park and rec, and revolving loan committees all reported no new updates.
The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office handled a variety of calls in the Wykoff area this month, including one harassment complaint, two driving complaints, five ambulance calls, two permits to carry, one permit to purchase, two civil calls, one parking complaint, two informational calls, one assist, one welfare check, and one fire call.
Three permits were issued and approved: two for chickens, two for fences, and one for a deck.
City council moved forward with infrastructure loan financing. At last month’s meeting, council members had agreed not to exceed a total loan amount of $860,000 with a capped interest rate of 5.25%. At the time, financial advisor Mike Bubany of David Drown Associates suggested that seeking financing through a bank could be more expensive than the open market. However, Bubany recently located a bank offering a fixed 5.05% rate over 20 years, which would save the city approximately $26,000. The council approved this updated loan agreement on a roll call vote. The loan will close May 27.
The council also approved a new aluminum storefront door for the community center. Originally, $14,000 had been earmarked for concrete replacement, but with bids coming in around $18,000 this year, that work will be postponed. Of those funds, $9,956.63 will go toward the new 42-inch-wide door. The remaining money will be saved for next year’s concrete work.
A survey on switching to electronic billing drew limited interest, with only about 30 residents opting in. As a result, the city will continue paper billing for now, though Schmidt said they may survey again next year.
Several items were voted on and approved, including:
• A new cannabis business registration form and release of information.
• The updated telecommunications ordinance.
• Permission to place a roll-off dumpster on the state highway at the Gateway Café fire site, pending state approval.
• Acceptance of a used carbon dioxide reader donated by CHS to the fire department.
• Sale of the old city siren to the high bidder for $151.
Lastly, the Jail Haus will receive fresh paint and minor plaster repairs. It hasn’t been painted in over five years. Council awarded the job to a local business, Proside Construction, for $1,075.
Photo by Zech Sindt