CITY OF WANAMINGO
City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, May 13, 2024 7:00 P.M.
Wanamingo City Council Chambers – 401 Main Street
Wanamingo, MN
CALL TO ORDER: Acting Mayor Stuart Ohr.
PRESENT: Council: Stuart Ohr, Eric Dierks, Jeremiah Flotterud, and Rebecca Haugen
City Administrator: Michael Boulton
Deputy Clerk: Karen Masters
ABSENT: Council: Ryan Holmes
ALSO PRESENT: Cobus Peens, Beth Haas – Zumbrota News-Record, Andrew Deziel – Kenyon Leader, Brian Gudknecht, Josh Revland, Trevor Aase, Brandon Lunde, Julie Mettille Steberg, and Matt Disbrow – Goodhue County Deputy Sheriff.
ADOPT AGENDA: Flotterud motioned to adopt the agenda, seconded by Dierks. Passed 4-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA: Haugen motioned, seconded by Dierks. Passed 4-0-0.
PRESENTERS:
A) Cobus Peens reported on:
1) Flushed all the hydrants throughout town
2) Repaired screen at Prairie Ridge Estates Park Shelter. The wood trim swelled up and pulled screws out. New, longer screws were used to re-install the trim. A new screen door has been ordered to replace the screen door that was damaged over the winter.
3) Swept streets; the goal is to sweep Main Street weekly, the west side of town one week and the east side of town the next week.
4) Riverside Park has been opened back up for Spring. The volleyball nets have been placed up, the courts have been cleaned up, the park shelter doors have been unscrewed, and the water has been turned back on.
5) Community Garden is ready for the season. The water tanks have been filled and the tiller has been serviced for the season. There are scheduled monthly meetings with users to ensure that issues and concerns are addressed.
6) Located and painted water service lines and curb stops on the west side of town to 3rd Avenue. Will continue to locate and paint locations on the east side of town in the coming weeks. This is in conjunction with GIS locating being completed by WHKS.
7) Started working on the pool. The pool has been pressure washed and hope to start painting in the coming week.
Flotterud asked how the new pressure washer worked at the pool. Peens stated that the new pressure washer worked well, even without utilizing the hot water function at the pool.
B) Julie Mettille Steberg – Wanamingo Pool Managers reported on:
1) City of Zumbrota decided not to open their pool in 2024. Since the notice Wanamingo has had 4-5 guards wish to apply for jobs at the Wanamingo pool.
2) Finishing staff hirings. Looking into scheduling needs for current staff to see if more are needed.
3) The returning staff want more hours for the 2024 season.
4) Lessons will be limited to five students per session. We may have another session later in the season. Only have one person with formal WSI (Water Safety Instructor) training. Will have a second staff member formally trained later in the summer.
5) Opening is scheduled for Monday June 3rd. The lifeguard in-service day is scheduled for May 31st, which will include seasonal employee safety training.
6) Seasonal pool passes are recommended to increase $5 while aerobic passes are recommended to increase by $10. New noodles and boards are needed for aerobics.
C) Trevor Aase, Brandon Lunde, Brian Gudknecht, and Josh Revland – Wanamingo Fire Department, reported on:
1) The fire department is conducting additional work on capital planning to meet future needs.
2) A new truck committee has been formed. The last truck purchase occurred in 2018 for a tanker.
3) Bond payments for the 2018 tanker will be completed in 2027 (roughly $30,750/year).
4) The current fire department fleet is reliable, but aging.
5) Lead times for new truck orders are 2-3 years.
6) Truck Capital Needs – 1 truck that needs to be replaced 1-10 years, 4 trucks that need to be replaced in 11-20 years, 2 trucks that need to be replaced in 21-30 years and 2 trucks that need to be replaced in 31+ years. The total replacement cost is estimated at $3,175,000.
7) New engine pumpers are expensive. Inflation has pushed the costs up significantly the past few years.
8) Fire trucks should be on a 30-to-50-year replacement schedule.
9) Engine 2 will be 36 years old in 2027. The pump is obsolete and hard to find replacement parts for.
10) Proposed new vehicle would combine an engine and equipment truck. It would be a side mount class A pumper, starter wheelbase – more maneuverable. The cost is estimated to be between $800,000-$1,200,000. The committee is still working on specifications, which will determine pricing.
11) The committee would like to invest in an engine that will be utilized for the next 30-40 years.
12) at the end of 2027 there will be new federal emission standards. The new standards could raise the cost by $100,000.
13) Looking into Toyne, Rosenbauer, and Pierce for manufacturers.
14) Looking at placing a truck order in Fall 2024 with no money down and locking in the pricing.
Flotterud stated that the next truck purchase has been discussed since the last truck was purchased in 2018 knowing the bond payment is paid off in 2027. Gudknecht stated that the proposed engine is a lot of money but that the current engine needs to be replaced. Ohr stated that he likes the idea of replacing two trucks with one new truck (cost savings). Flotterud asked if the pull tabs were used and planned to be used to pay toward the fire trucks. Boulton stated that the charitable gambling has been contributing between $10,000-$20,000 per year toward the current truck. This has allowed for the truck fund savings to increase that will be utilized on the new truck. Boulton stated that the truck fund has roughly $200,000. Lunde stated that the fire relief association has helped out with charitable gambling funds in the past and would like to continue if the revenues/profits continue each year. Aase stated that the final truck purchase will more than likely run through Sourcewell for cooperative purchasing. This is a State approved best price purchasing process without having to conduct bidding. Ohr asked if there were any concerns from the Council if the truck committee moves forward with planning. There were no concerns by the Council, with moving forward with truck planning based upon the parameters that were presented to the Council. Aase stated that the truck committee would be back with a recommendation at the August or September City Council meeting to place a truck order.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION:
24-032 = Accepting 2024 Yearly Driver's License Checks for City Employees: Flotterud moved to approve, Seconded by Haugen. Passed 4-0-0.
24-033 = Setting Swimming Pool Fees and Schedule for the 2024 Season: Dierks moved to approve, Seconded by Flotterud. Passed 4-0-0.
24-034 = Authorizing a Temporary Liquor License for the Wanamingo Fire Relief Association July 3rd Dance: Haugen moved to approve, Seconded by Flotterud. Passed 4-0-0.
24-035 = Approving Software Purchase Agreement with Civic Systems LLC for Emailed Utility Billing and Citizen Portal: Flotterud moved to approve, Seconded by Haugen. Passed 4-0-0.
24-036 = Approving the Appointment of Election Judges for the 2024 Primary and General Elections: Dierks moved to approve, Seconded by Haugen. Boulton stated that this resolution is different from past years. Goodhue County has asked that a head judge be appointed in the resolution. The County has also recommended that the head election judge be granted authority to appoint emergency election judges if any of the approved election judges are not able to work on election day. Passed 4-0-0.
ORDINANCE #206 – Amending Approved Trees List and Amending Diseased Trees to add Emerald Ash Borer, Amending Wanamingo Code of Ordinances § 94.20 (B) (1) (a) & 94.20 (C) (1) – First Reading. Boulton stated that the Wanamingo Code of Ordinance 94 Trees needs an updated list of trees allowed to be planted within the boulevards. The list is both limited in varieties and includes ash trees, that should be removed. Boulton stated that Emerald Ash Borer should be included in the diseased tree section. Boulton stated that there are several trees around Wanamingo that have been infested by Emerald Ash Borer and will need to be removed over the next couple of years. The ordinance should list Emerald Ash Borer in the diseased tree section so that the Council has authority to order their removal.
OLD BUSINESS:
Enforcement Process – Mead Johnson - Reckitt – 150 day written letter toward meeting goal of waste pH – Boulton stated that the City had received a letter from Mead Johnson – Reckitt. Mead Johnson – Reckitt pH of wastewater discharge was within range during most of the month of April. There were two days where the pH levels exceeded 9 and three days where the pH fell below 5. The frac tank was installed and incorporated into their process back in March. Mead Johnson – Reckitt goal is to install a new lift station with pH treatment. The project has been funded and is proceeding through the final engineering design phase. Boulton stated that the Wanamingo staff are still monitoring the wastewater discharge from Reckitt-Mead Johnson. The pH levels of the wastewater discharge are being adjusted before being sent to the wastewater treatment plant. Peens stated that staff would like to start pumping from north digestor to south digestor for treatment. There are still concerns with pumping that could lead to throwing off the treatment for the south digestor. Prior to December results have regularly shown extremely low and at times high pH levels along with the presence of high levels of QAC (Quaternary Ammonium Compounds) have been sent to Reckitt-Mead Johnson. The pH levels should be within 5.0 and 9.5. City Staff have been working with Reckitt-Mead Johnson toward the achieved solution of pH levels within the limits. The City appreciates the open dialogue and work, to date, from Reckitt- Mead Johnson. The City continues to keep the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency informed during this process. Boulton stated the Enforcement Process would be left on the monthly agenda until November 2024, or when the action items are completed. Boulton stated the Mead Johnson -Reckitt would be required to provide written monthly updates to the City Council.
Administrator Boulton provided a memo on investments of funds update. The City of Wanamingo has four CD’s (Certificate of Deposit), created in 2023 with $1,000,000. The City invested the $1,000,000 equally in four separate CD’s in April 2023 on special 13-month rate of 4.5%. The CD’s mature in early May 2024. City Staff spoke with Security State Bank on future investments of $1,049,760.92 ($49,760.92 interest from past 13 months) after the CD’s mature. Security State Bank would like the City to continue to have the deposit and offered another special interest rate CD for what the going rate interest is in May. The current special interest rate is for a 13-month 5.09%. The City Staff and Mayor Holmes worked with Security State Bank to sign the four new CD’s on May 6th regarding the new investment of funds.
The interest earned (estimated at $53,432.83) is planned to be accounted for under multiple funds (i.e. general fund, water fund, and sewer fund). These investments should leave plenty of funds for cash flow in the checking account. The checking account, new CD’s, the current CD’s, and money market funds (Stifel Nicholaus and 4M Fund) all help to diversify the City investments.
Administrator Boulton informed the City Council that he and Mayor Holmes have been in discussions with Waste Management as the current contract for residential solid waste, residential recycling, commercial solid waste, and commercial recycling is up December 31, 2024. Boulton stated that the contract allows for mutually agreed upon terms for a five-year extension. Boulton has requested pricing from Waste Management for a potential five-year extension. Boulton stated that the pricing would be brought to the Council for consideration of an extension. Boulton stated that there is very little competition for contracts involving solid waste and recycling for commercial and residential. In April 2024 Hometown Haulers out of Dodge Center recently sold out to Waste Management. This is similar to the sales of Gibson Sanitation and Countryside sanitation over the past five years.
*Next City Council meeting on 6/10/2024 at 7:00pm.
Adjourn: At 8:04PM a motion to adjourn was made by Haugen and seconded by Flotterud. Passed 4-0-0.
Signed: Attest:
_____________________ ____________________________________
Stuart Ohr, Acting Mayor Michael Boulton, City Administrator
