SHERBURN — The Sherburn City Council held a meeting Monday night. The public comments time was used to talk with David Wayne, a representative of Congressman Finstad. The council reported to him that the big concern in town was help to make affordable housing for the general public. Several people would live in an apartment or townhouse which would open a house for a family but there is no such housing. The rent should be less than $700-800 a month like some are now. He discussed the problem with the council and gave a suggestion to work with Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership and he promised to give the council the information about this group.
The meeting continued with discussion about a bench to be moved from the Ross residence as a memorial bench for former Mayor, Jeff Ross, to the park by the new playground equipment. The council asked that a slab of cement be under the bench and one councilor suggested asking the Boy Scouts to help like they did with the sidewalk by the shelter house. The council approved moving the bench if a slab was part of the move.
Pearson Brothers had a quote to sealcoat the streets for about $60,000 and they have a contract to patch for $40,000. The council asked about other quotes and the city works employee said two others were asked for quotes and did not reply. The council approved the quotes for patch and sealcoating.
The council discussed the quotes from Day Plumbing about the air conditioner repair/replace project for about $12,400. The council tabled the discussion until the next meeting and asked that information about a heat pump be in the discussion and quote.
There may be repair needed on the old fire hall part of the city hall building.
A security fence in the water plant area was approved since there is adequate money in the water budget and the fence was mentioned as part of the water plant construction.
The city works employee, Paul Schoen, reported on projects and the progress at the Wastewater Plant construction. The RO is now working after some flushing which will be done every six months. The electrical parts are still not available. There were some unanticipated problems when there was a water shutoff in town. There will be an inventory ordered by the state as to the pipes in residences in town and what they are made of such as copper, lead, etc. that is due by October of 2024. The old fire hall roof and the liquor store roofs need repair.
Engineers, Travis Winter and Derek Behrens, from Bolton and Menk, reported on the Osborne Street project. The sod needs consistent watering. The assessment hearing will probably be in September. They hope that Lynn Street and resealing of Osborne Street will be done next week. The City has a website and residents may sign up for public alerts on that website. There would be alerts about water shutoffs, snow emergencies, etc. If anyone does not have a computer they may call the city hall.
In previous meetings the council asked for a quarterly revenue vs. expenses report and the Administrator reviewed things she found that were 30 percent over the differences in the report. Some of the higher numbers were explained and discussed by the council such as: the Highway 4 project; group insurance from February; property liability (but this is a number for the year); professional services; fire equipment (equipment blew up and had to be replaced); the waste water project; and mistakes about where the number should be filed.
In other business:
— The council discussed having an ordinance that permitted a resident to raise chickens (not roosters) in town. The council tabled this until the Chief of Police could review the ordinance which covers all kinds of animals.
— The emerald ash borer problem was discussed since there are quite a few trees infested in the City. The City Administrator reported contacting the DNR and the Emerald Ash Borer Management. There are steps that residents could take to be planning ahead and taking
precautions. The Administrator will continue to seek information.
— Chief of Police for Welcome and Sherburn reported that ordinance violations are under control and many have cleaned up junk or were given citations. He asked that violations be reported so that the City can be clean year around and not build up the violators like it was. He reported that he has had two applicants and will be reviewing their applications. He reported that the Law Enforcement Day at the school was successful and that there will be a bike rodeo in Sherburn and Welcome on June 10. Information is on Facebook.
The auditor will meet with the council at a special meeting starting 5:30 p.m. on June 29 at Sherburn City Hall. The next meeting was scheduled for June 19 but Minnesota has a Juneteenth holiday on that date now. The council voted to change the meeting date to 5 p.m. on June 20 at the city hall.
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