Council Meeting

Regular Council Meeting May 1, 2023 Mayor Stan Townsend called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Council members in attendance were Kathy Rupp, Darwin Sietsema, Chris McCurdy, and Brian Baartman. Also in attendance were Jessica Foley, Kristie Johnson, and Darrin Haroldson. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all those in attendance. Minutes of the April meeting and the April 13, 2023 Board of Review meeting were approved by M/Sietsema 2/McCurdy/cd unanimously. Jessica Foley and Kristie Johnson from Development Services Inc. (DSI) came to discuss the Small Cities Development Grant Program with Owner-Occupied Housing Rehab and Rental Housing Rehab. NO commercial rehab will be offered with this program. There will be NO target area in this program as Ruthton is under 5000 in population. There are possibilities that this grant program will be paired with the Public Facilities Infrastructure Grant or with a surrounding community. Questions need to be answered from Bollig Engineering before the city can decide what possibility to go with. If the city proceeds, it would cost up to $8400.00. The breakdown is $1800.00 for the Community Interest Assessment, $2800.00 Preliminary Proposal and Building Construction Assessment, and $3800.00 for the Full Application. After much discussion the city approved to move forward and have DSI conduct the Community Interest Assessment for $1800.00 by M/Sietsema 2/McCurdy/cd unanimously. The money will be paid by the Rehab Fund. Wastewater Supervisor, Darrin Haroldson gave the council his report for the month of April and answered the council’s questions. Two (2) bids were obtained to replace the lighting system in the Ruthton Bus Garage from Houselog Electric for $2737.45 and from Efficient Electric for $3631.00. After much discussion it was approved to go with the Efficient Electric for $3631.00 by M/Townsend 2/Sietsema/cd unanimously. The council stated both electricians are very good and just want each of them to get business from the city. No bids have been received for replacing the roof at the Ruthton Bus Garage. M/Sietsema 2/Rupp/cd unanimously to have Mayor Stan Townsend to obtain specs for the replacement project. Ads will be put in the area newspapers to find someone to do this project. A building permit renewal for Brian Bahner for siding and window replacement at 521 Leo Avenue was approved by M/Sietsema 2/Baartman/cd unanimously. Demo permits for Shawn Johnson to tear down the south lien of Eagle Ridge Repair at 531 Smith Avenue and for Amy Reece to tear house down at 1000 Leo Avenue were approved by M/Baartman 2/Rupp/cd unanimously. The April bills were presented and approved by M/Sietsema 2/McCurdy/cd. The council discussed the possibility of allowing chickens and bees within city limits. Many cities have enacted similar ordinances regulating the number chickens and bees allowed, prohibiting roosters, and outlining requirements for the coop and yard. The council will review sample ordinances to come up with a plan the suits the city. This issue was tabled until next month. It was approved to issue a new liquor license to Lorrissa Lingen for the Sunset Bar & Grill pending proof of liquor liability insurance by M/Rupp 2/Baartman/cd unanimously. The council briefly discussed the implication of the Juneteenth Holiday and their ability to not conduct business that day. They will continue to monitor the situation and comply with any decisions made by the state government. It was discussed and approved to purchase two (2) six-foot surfaced-mount Champion Heavyweight benches for $958.85 each and two (2) 20-gallon Round Slatted Trash Receptacles for $428.85 each plus shipping for the Memorial Park by M/Baartman 2/Sietsema/cd unanimously. In December of 2020 the BRCO donated $500.00 to go towards a park bench. It was discussed and approved to spend up to $2500.00 for a 42” Cub Cadet lawn mower for the cemetery by M/Baartman 2/Sietsema/cd. Rupp abstained. Mayor Stan Townsend made a proclamation that the month of May 2023 as Poppy Month in the City of Ruthton and ask that all citizens pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom by wearing the Memorial Poppy during this month. The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. by M/Sietsema 2/Rupp/cd. Rochelle VanderWoude Ruthton City Clerk/Treasurer