NOTES FROM THE PRES: by Steve Friedrich

the cruising and show season begins. A big

From the Mayor

Resident of Underwood: Greetings from your City Council!

Our mission to efficiently and effectively represent the tax payers’ investment in this community continues. We have approved an annexation project that will extend the city to include the Shell station, south of Highway 210. This is an effort to expand the tax, water and sewer base of Underwood, the basis from which all city fees and charges are derived. This project will also enable the Shell station to expand into a much needed restaurant for the community.

A successful reconstruction of the street to the west of Main Street was completed this fall and although expensive, makes that roadway useable and durable for all.

If you have any concerns feel free to call me at 612-805-1048.

The council and I wish you all a safe and happy winter season.

Please watch for children and obey the traffic laws in town. We want this community safe for everyone!

Upcoming Events

Santa Day--December 14--Believe it or not the Christmas holiday is fast approaching! Santa will be at the Community Center from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Over the years the Underwood community has been very generous when it comes to the children at Christmas time. There is a “Santa Days” account set up at Farmers State Bank, and we would appreciate any donations be made to the account by November 21st, 2013, to allow enough time for shopping. Donations are also accepted by Amber or Seth Olson at 108 Cleveland Ave. East Underwood, MN 56586. If you are interested in helping, whether financially or with the shopping, setting up or cleaning up, please contact Amber at 218-770-5343.

We would like to give a special thank you to Teresa Fladhammer and her family for the many years of making sure Santa and his elves had a successful day.

Quilts of Valor—March 17 will be doing there annual fundraiser at the Underwood Legion Post 489. There will be corn beef and cabbage, silent auction and other activities.

ANNUAL NOTICE TO ALL RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS

The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule is designed to protect people who may have trouble paying their utility bills in winter. The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule applies from October 15 to April 15 of each year. The rule, established by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, means that you’re utility cannot disconnect your residential electric service during the winter if the customer meets the following requirement:

  1. Utility disconnection would affect the customer’s primary heat source;
  2. The customer has declared inability to pay on forms provided by the utility (Note: Customers receiving “any form of public assistance, including emergency assistance, are deemed to have qualified for inability to pay status”);
  3. The household income of the customer is less than 50% of the state median income level, as documented by the customer to the utility; and
  4. The customer enters into and makes reasonably timely payments under a payment agreement that considers the financial resources of the household…

If you have trouble paying your utility bill, local agencies may be able to provide payment assistance. The State Department of Human Services recommends you call the county in which you live. Understand that this does not apply to those households where the primary heat source is not dependant on water.

Energy Assistance Applications as well as Rental Assistance information is available at the Clerks office.

SNOW REMOVAL AND PARKING

Ordinance #76

  1. No vehicles shall be parked on any residential street in the City of Underwood from November 1 through March 31, except in those areas zoned as commercial and except for visitors to the City of Underwood.
  2. The owner of any vehicle violating this ordinance will be issued a citation by the designated City Official.
  3. Any vehicle, for which a citation has been issued, if not removed from the street within 12 hours of the issuance of said citation, shall be towed by a commercial towing service at the owner’s expense.
  4. Vehicles which have been towed pursuant to this ordinance shall not be released to the owner until the owner provides the commercial towing service with proof of payment of the fine issued, pursuant to the citation and payment of all towing charges to the commercial towing service.
  5. The fine for issuance of the citation shall be in the amount of $50.00 for each offense. The third offense within any November 1 through March 31 season will result in the vehicle, owed by a person receiving three citations, to be towed immediately.
  6. It is incumbent upon the owner of the vehicle for which the citation is issued to provide proof satisfactory to the Clerk of the City of Underwood that said vehicle is owned by a visitor to the City of Underwood.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS BEGIN ON NOVEMBER 1!

Web Site Updated!

Like the Liquor Store on Facebook!

We have been working to keep the webpage for the City updated. We can be found at We will continue to add items as we progress. Please let us know what you would like to see. It may take some time, but your comments and suggestions will be considered. The council schedule, minutes, public hearings, and community events will be posted. If you have a computer, add us to your favorites!

Anita has put the Underwood Liquor Store on Facebook. Like us and check out specials and new products!

HYRDARNT FLUSHING SCHEDULE

Due to the number of calls regarding rusty water, the City Council and Maintenance Supervisor Paxton Lind have set up a regular hydrant flushing schedule to begin in 2013. Hydrants will be flushed on the first Wednesday and Thursday of every month from April thru October, weather permitting. Tentative dates for the 2014 schedule will be posted and it will be on the website as well. We do not recommend that you do laundry during these times. It is common to experience discoloration and sedimentation in your water supply when flushing occurs near your home. We recommend turning on an outside faucet and letting the water run for a few minutes to clear it.

COPPER AND LEAD REPORT

We are pleased to report that our latest copper and lead monitoring results have come back. The city is well within the limits for these elements. As a result, we will not have to test again until August of 2016. For more informationgo to or contact the Clerks office.

New Employees

Liquor Store- Ryan Kiser was hired in mid August. He has been a resident of Underwood since he was 3. He graduated from UHS in 2008 and spent a few years in Minneapolis before returning this fall to attend MSCTC for nursing. He is a big football fan and his favorite team is the Baltimore Ravens, (sorry Vikings). He is the son of Roy and Anna Kiser.

Laura Colby was just hired as a liquor store clerk. She lives on a 15 acres ranch north of Underwood. She has 4 children ranging in age from 12 to 20. Her oldest son is finishing school in Alaska. They also have a horse, a fish, 6 dogs and many cats. Laura enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities and is looking forward to getting to know you.

Hope everyone has a safe and mild winter. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!