Council Meeting

Regular Council Meeting January 6, 2025 Mayor Stan Townsend called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. In attendance were Darwin Sietsema, Brian Baartman, Chris McCurdy, and Stu Peterson. Also in attendance was Jessica Foley. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all those in attendance. Stan Townsend, Brian Baartman, Stewart Peterson, and Chris McCurdy took Oath of Office. Minutes of the December meeting were approved by M/Baartman 2/Sietsema/cd unanimously. Organization Resolution 2024-02 was adopted and approved by M/Baartman 2/Peterson/cd unanimously. OFFICIAL DEPOSITORY – First Independent Bank OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER – Tyler Tribute CITY ATTORNEY – Glen Petersen ASSISTANT MAYOR – Darwin Sietsema The October 13, 2025 meeting has been changed to October 14, 2025 due to the Columbus Day Holiday. Jessica Foley from DSI was here with housekeeping items to move forward with the Small City Rehab Program the city received. Conflict of Interest Statements were signed by Councilmember Brian Baartman. The Grant Administration Service Agreement was accepted by M/McCurdy 2/Peterson/cd. Baartman abstained. Resolution 2025-02 – Adopting Small Cities Development Grant Plans and Documents which includes the Certification for a Drug-Free Workplace, Excessive Force Policy, Residential Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan, Program Income Plan, Section 3 and Women or Minority-owned Business Plan, Fair Housing Plan, Procurement and Standards, and Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report was adopted by M/Sietsema 2/Peterson/cd. Baartman abstained. The council approved Mayor Stan Townsend to sign the Environmental Review Documents and the Request for Release Funds by M/Peterson 2/Sietsema/cd. Baartman abstained. Mayor Stan Townsend gave Wastewater Supervisor Darrin Haroldson’s report for the month of December. An After-the-Fact building permit for Abel Martinez for a 30’ x 50’ attached garage with cement pad, siding of house & garage, and a deck addition to the front of house at 510 Cleveland Street was approved by M/Sietsema 2/McCurdy/cd unanimously. The December bills were presented and approved by M/Peterson 2/Baartman/cd unanimously. RECEIPTS = $130,705.56 DISBURSEMENTS = $56,344.65 The council approved a donation of $150.00 for the RTR After-Prom by M/Sietsema 2/Peterson/cd unanimously. The council feels the After-Prom is to provide a safe environment for our young people to go to and that Ruthton really has no place to go. It was discussed and decided to install two (2) security cameras with audio in the Community Center. One (1) in the small room and one (1) in the big room. By Scott Electronics for $2,230.00 by M/Sietsema 2/Baartman/cd unanimously. The meeting went into closed session for employee reviews. Darrin Haroldson’s pay was bumped to $27.50 and the council will no longer pay for his insurance. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm by M/Baartman 2/Sietsema/cd. Rochelle VanderWoude Ruthton City Clerk/Treasurer