Clearbrook City Council meeting January 12
Clearbrook City Council meeting January 12
The Clearbrook City Council met in regular session on Monday, January 12. All members were present. The minutes of the Regular meeting of December 8 and the Special meeting on December 17 were approved.
The special meeting included a funds transfer of $50,000 from the natural gas fund to the general fund. 2026 wage increase for full and part-time employees was approved at 3%. They adopted the final 2026 General Fund Budget with Revenues of $906,320 and expenses of $901,937. They approved the 2025 Property Tax Levy at $280,000 collectible in 2026.
Darin Halverson, Clearwater County Sheriff gave his 6-month report to the council. They have over 7,500 calls for service, which was down from last year and 400 were from Clearbrook. They had 345 booked in jail with a ratio of 80 to 20 male to female. The staffing is good. There were no changes coming up.
Gary Prosser brought up Music on Main Street. They have received $6,000 in donations and the amount for the project was $5,300. They plan to start in the spring. They were still collecting donations for trees on main street.
Police Chief Ryan Solee gave his report. They included 31 records for the month with Hang Up 2; Civil Complaint 1; Disturbance 1; Disturbance Juvenile Misc 1; Harassment 1; Information Only 1; Information Only Mental Health 1; Juvenile Misc. 1; Medical 3; Mental Health 1; Motorist Assist 2; Motor Vehicle Crash 1; Parking Complaint 2; Stop Arm Violation 1; Suicide Related 1; Suspicious Activity 2; Theft 1; Theft assault 1; Trespass 1, Welfare Check 2; Welfare Check Suicide Related 1.
The new Clearbrook Fire Department Chief Ryan Rude gave his report. They had 11 calls in December with 8 medical, 1 meeting, 1 canceled in route and 1 vehicle accident. Ben Nelson has been approved to become a full-time member of the department as his 6-month probationary period has expired. The annual meeting with the township in district has been set for Monday, February 2nd. An invitation will be mailed out to these townships. The department received the grant for the Lucas compression system, which is a mechanical device for CPR, teaching how to apply it to provide high-quality, uninterrupted chest compressions during cardiac arrest before medical team arrives.
Municipal report from Karra Weems for December profit was $10,343.34 with a net profit for the year was $125,140.34. They are planning a Bingo night on January 31, and they will be open for the Super Bowl that Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. They need to get someone in to check out the hood over the fry area. Naylor Electric had put it in originally.
Mark Snoble with Utilities and Maintenance said that the punch list for the treatment plant is not done yet. The TBS boiler is not working properly. He was advised to get a quote just in case something goes wrong.
Lucie Thompson the City Clerk had several items on the agenda. The garbage pickup service proposal. They will be sending out in the next city bills a survey as to what they wish to do. If they decided to go with the new pickup the bill from the county of $90.00 would be credited back on their taxes.
The city was awarded a $500,000 grant through American Rescue Plan Funding dollars. The new building will be located on the SE corner of Third Avenue and Elm Street in Clearbrook. The new building will be constructed in 2026. They have one person so far who has expressed interest in being the Project Manager which should be in service by December of 2026.
Audit Update was given with 2023 being done. The company hired will have 2024 which is in process done by the end of January. They received one year of the LGA funds (Local Government Aid) state funds of $184,000 which are distributed to Minnesota cities as the 2023 audit was done. Clifton Larson Allen LLP was paid $24,000 in January for current work done for the city audit.
The Clearbrook Senior Center is planning outdoor live music for the 2026 Summerfest that will be the last week in June the 26 and 26.
The council approved three resolutions. Resolution 2026-01 named Border Bank as the City of Clearbrook’s official depository. Resolution 2026-02 named the Farmers Independent as the City of Clearbrook’s official newspaper. Resolution 2026-03 to accept donations. 1. From the MN Chiefs of Police Foundation of $500 for a scholarship to attend Police Chiefs’ Conference. 2. From Richard Richards of $1000 for a donation to the Clearbrook Fire Department. 3. From Gonvick Lions Club for a Donation of $250 for Santa Claus Day activities.
Claims were presented and paid for $101,389.68 monthly and $117,454.54 for additional claims.