TRIMONT COUNCIL MINUTES
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Regular meeting was duly held at the Trimont Community Building on the 20th day of November, 2017 at 5:30 o’clock P.M.
The following members were present: Mayor Thomas Eckmann, Council Member Sterling Adamson, Council Member JoAnn Russenberger, and Council Member Thomas Hage.
The following members were absent: Council Member Bruce Borntrager
Mayor Thomas Eckmann presided over the meeting.
During the community comment period, a request was read from Lois Schultz asking the council to waive outstanding assessments on a vacant lot adjacent to her property if she purchases the forfeited parcel. Motion made by Council Member Sterling Adamson, seconded by Council Member JoAnn Russenberger and carried to waive outstanding assessments on parcel no. 39.060.0090.
Paula Rocheleau, Craig Ritter, and Patrice Goette were present for the Trimont Health Care Center to review the monthly report and September and October financial statements. Motion made by Council Member Thomas Hage, seconded by Council Member Sterling Adamson and carried to approve the financial statements. The property survey will be completed shortly, but the title documents will not be ready for the sale to take place December 1st. The operation could still be transferred on that date with approval of a lease agreement. The lease payment would be the same amount as the purchase payment and would be applied to the balance owed. A draft copy of the lease was provided and reviewed. Final details will be worked out between the attorneys and Mayor Eckmann was given permission to sign the lease, which will be in effect only until the sale is finalized. An area is needed for records storage for a period of 10 years and the Triumph Hall basement will be used if it is adequate.
Police Chief Ross Wiggin reviewed the department report. Part-time officer Dayton Asmus was introduced. Council was advised that Ryan Hillesheim has been hired to fill some part-time hours beginning in December. There is interest in beginning a Dare program at the school and approval of the council and school board is required. He would need to become certified to do so. The council advised to move forward with the program. Discussion followed regarding the 4-way stop and traffic control options to get highway traffic to stop. Council was asked if there was interest in looking into installing stop lights at the intersection. The cost and ongoing maintenance expense will be researched and MnDot will be contacted to see if the project could become part of the 2022 highway project. The council was advised the department is working on removal of abandoned and unregistered vehicles. Information was provided regarding the Minnesota Deferred Compensation Plan that has been set up to which employees can make retirement contributions from payroll. Discussion took place regarding the City’s option to contribute toward Ross’ plan in lieu of PERA. Motion made by Council Member Sterling Adamson, seconded by Council Member JoAnn Russenberger and carried to approve a 6.5% contribution to Ross’ MSRS account in lieu of PERA.
Trimont Council Minutes
November 20, 2017
Page 2
Mike Paulson reviewed the public works department report. The project in the basement of the health care center is done and is in good working order. Council was advised that Electric Pump is unwilling to stand behind a warranty on a defective pump at the plant. They advised to get the city attorney to contact them regarding the matter. Discussion took place regarding the clothing allowance. An allowance for safety boots is provided every other year, but often they are not needed. Council agreed to allow Mike to get insulated bibs to use for watermain breaks in place of boots this year. Council Member Russenberger agreed to work with him to consider revisions to the allowance for 2018.
Brenda Nielsen provided an update on the grant proposal she is working on. Official adoption of the Active Transportation Plan is required. Motion made by Council Member Thomas Hage, seconded by Council Member JoAnn Russenberger and carried to adopt the plan as drafted. A plan is needed for repair and maintenance of the sidewalk/trail to include in the application. In addition, a sponsoring agency is required for the federal funding because of Trimont’s population. Martin County has agreed to do so. Motion made by Council Member Sterling Adamson, seconded by Council Member Thomas Hage and carried to adopt the following resolution
Resolution 2017-20
Resolution of Sponsorship
Ambulance Director Ron Shade addressed the council regarding the purchase of an extractor for the department. The approximate cost is $8,450 and there are grant funds held by the City and the relief association of $5600. The public works department has advised they would not use the machine with any regularity so none of the cost will come from those funds. Motion made by Council Member Thomas Hage, seconded by Council Member Sterling Adamson and carried to approve the purchase of the extractor, with the net cost split between the fire department, the ambulance fund, and the relief association, pending approval by the relief association.
Motion made by Council Member JoAnn Russenberger, seconded by Council Member Sterling Adamson and carried to adopt the following resolution
Resolution 2017-18
Resolution adopting assessment for unpaid charges
Motion made by Council Member JoAnn Russenberger, seconded by Council Member Sterling Adamson and carried to adopt the following resolution
Resolution 2017-19
Resolution designating precinct polling place
Trimont Council Minutes
November 20, 2017
Page 3
Motion made by Council Member Thomas Hage, seconded by Council Member JoAnn Russenberger and carried to write-off uncollectible 2016 accounts receivable in the ambulance fund, per the attached schedule. Discussion followed about doing non-emergency transports and if the City will get paid for the service. Information will be gathered for discussion at an upcoming meeting.
Motion made by Council Member Sterling Adamson, seconded by Council Member JoAnn Russenberger and carried to accept the audit proposal from CliftonLarsonAllen at a cost of $10,000.
Motion made by Council Member Thomas Hage, seconded by Council Member Sterling Adamson and carried to approve an increase in wastewater rates effective January 1, 2018, per the PFA loan schedule. The base rate will increase from $11.23 to $11.46 and the usage rate will go from $9.91 to $10.40 per 1000 gallons.
Motion made by Council Member Sterling Adamson, seconded by Council Member JoAnn Russenberger and carried to approve use of the Triumph Hall at no charge for a MCW After Prom fundraiser.
Options available for employee health insurance were reviewed. A new plan is needed because city employees had been covered through the nursing home plan. A Small Employer Group plan provides very similar coverage, but at a 4% cost reduction from 2017. Motion made by Council Member JoAnn Russenberger, seconded by Council Member Thomas Hage and carried to approve renewal of health insurance as proposed with BCBS of MN Plan 637.
The proposed 2018 budget was reviewed, which includes adjustments for health insurance, PERA in the police budget, and a lower cost audit. Final review will take place in December.
Motion made by Council Member JoAnn Russenberger, seconded by Council Member Sterling Adamson and carried to adopt the consent agenda as follows:
Approval of minutes from the October 16, and October 23, 2017 meetings as printed.
Approval of City’s October, 2017 financial statements as presented.
Approval of zoning permit applications from: Shane Schofield, Jim and Amy Lien.
Approval to pay the following bills:
All Seasons Services $ 1118.16
American Welding & Gas $ 229.11
Ameripride Linen Services $ 515.82
B & D Repair $ 144.53
Trimont Council Minutes
November 20, 2017
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Borntrager Auto Body $ 10.00
Brenda Nielsen $ 199.34
Carquest Auto $ 134.29
Casey’s General Store $ 32.30
Clia Laboratory $ 150.00
Cliff Anderson $ 720.00
Core & Main $ 1359.00
Crystal Valley $ 223.59
Digital Ally $ 25.00
Driver & Vehicle Service $ 17.25
Expert T Billing $ 108.00
Farmers State Bank $ 513.70
Fleet & Farm Supply $ 119.99
Frontier Communications $ 727.82
Gold Cross Ambulance $ 186.69
Gopher State One Call $ 213.20
Holtz Lawn & Yard Care $ 270.00
Hometown Sanitation $ 4668.52
Indoff Inc. $ 357.86
Kuehl’s Electric $ 65.00
Lacey Schmidtke $ 119.81
League of Minnesota Cities $ 129.00
League of MN Cities Insurance Trust $37,113.00
MacQueen Equipment $ 726.23
Martin County Sheriff’s Office $ 90.00
Martin County Star $ 20.00
Mike Paulson $ 32.23
Minnesota Department of Health $ 537.00
Minnesota Energy $ 1121.78
Minnesota Ambulance Association $ 175.00
Minnesota Child Support Center $ 98.74
Minnesota Valley Testing Lab $ 1756.50
Moore and Ace Inc. $ 233.05
MTU Onsite Energy $ 1752.57
Nuway Coop $ 1223.94
Pest Pro $ 192.87
Poppe’s Store & Car Wash $ 10.00
Positive Promotions $ 287.30
Postmaster $ 115.94
Quill $ 149.99
Renae Eckmann $ 100.00
Ritter Ag $ 33.20
Trimont Council Minutes
November 20, 2017
Page 5
Ross Wiggin $ 130.00
Safety & Security Consultation $ 1100.00
Sherburn Nursery & Floral $ 92.00
South Central Electric $ 7373.13
South Central EMS $ 750.00
Thomas Hage $ 50.00
Town Center Super Valu $ 69.54
Trimont Chamber $ 75.00
Triumph State Bank $ 513.70
Troy Schmidtke $ 33.54
Verizon Wireless $ 302.51
West Bend $ 100.00
Westrum Leak Detection $ 1000.00
Wex Bank $ 603.86
Council was advised that the Hometown Sanitation contract for residential services that was signed in 2014 has a built in 2% rate increase that will took effect on November 1st. The 5 year contract runs to November 1, 2019.
Motion made by Council Member Sterling Adamson, seconded by Council Member JoAnn Russenberger and carried to adjourn.
Signed, Thomas Eckmann, Mayor
Attest: Melissa Flohrs, City Clerk