Council Meeting

Regular Council Meeting April 3, 2023 Mayor Stan Townsend called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. In attendance were Kathy Rupp, Darwin Sietsema, and Chris McCurdy. Absent was Brian Baartman. Also in attendance were Tami Nelson, Mark Klema, Kris Ambuehl, Dustin Johnson, Adam Johnson and Darrin Haroldson. All those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes of the March meeting were approved by M/Sietsema 2/McCurdy/cd unanimously. Tami Nelson was here to update the council on the school memorial. She is working on a grant with Box Car Wind. She is asking the city to control the money if the grant would be awarded. The city would have to accept the money as a donation and hold the money for the memorial. M/Sietsema 2/McCurdy/cd unanimously to allow this request if it can legally be done. The city clerk will check with the city attorney. Mark Klema and Kris Ambuehl from Bolling Engineering were here to update the council on the current state of the city's water and wastewater infrastructure. The water main piping was installed in the 1990s and is in good condition. The hydrants are up to standard, but it was recommended to add a valve to each to better manage the flow of water. The service lines may need to be replaced due to build up of sediment over time. The sanitary sewer was installed in 1977 and is in good condition, but some updates have been made to the communications equipment and pumps. The ponds have been freshened up in 2019 and 2020. They explained that televising and water tower inspection reports are the next steps to be taken in order to access funding. These steps need to be taken in order to identify any problems and make repairs where needed. Additionally, they discussed a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) and Environmental Review (ER) are needed in order to pursue the funding. They explained that the reports would meet the strictest guidelines and would include all of the needs that have been identified. The cost of these reports will be $45,000 and explained that any costs incurred can be leveraged against the grant process. It was approved to sign Task Order #2 authorizing Bollig Engineering to prepare Preliminary Engineering Report and Environmental Report in accordance with Rural Development requirements for infrastructure improvements by M/Sietsema 2/McCurdy/cd unanimously. Wastewater Supervisor, Darrin Haroldson gave the council his report for the month of March and answered the council’s questions. The March bills were presented and approved by M/Rupp 2/Sietsema/cd. The council are talking about updating the welcome sign located on Highway 23. The city is holding a “Design a Welcome sign with logo” contest. The sign will be 3’ x 6’ x10’. Deadline to submit your design on June 1, 2023. The winning design will win $100.00 by M/Sietsema 2/Rupp/cd unanimously. The city is also looking for a 5-member committee to judge the designs. An 11-month Certificate of Deposit will be opened for the 1st quarter water meter fees in the amount of $1245.00 by M/Sietsema 2/McCurdy/cd unanimously. The city decided to renew the city’s garbage hauling contract with VanDyke Sanitation for three (3) years by M/Rupp 2/Sietsema/cd unanimously. The option of renewing this contract for an additional three (3) years providing there are no changes was again included in the contract. Dustin and Adam Johnson came to the meeting to talk to the council about allowing chickens here in Ruthton. The city will be looking into this issue. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. by M/Sietsema 2/McCurdy/cd. Rochelle VanderWoude Ruthton City Clerk/Treasurer