City of Oklee raises rates on sewer, garbage and water

November Meeting: 

The City of Oklee called their meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with Alan Jensen, Lori Melby, Kaye Munt and George Burthwick present. The Financial report was read and approved and bills were paid.

Sheriff Mitch Bernstein did not have a lot to report and discussed the nuisance properties. One was going to court and the other was getting repaired. A couple of calls about dogs and a chicken showed up in town. City Clerk Derek Cross added to the report that a couple of lose dogs were wandering on Lambert St. and he had talked to the owners.

On one other nuisance property, it was brought up that someone should be talked to about all the things in their yard. Bernstein will contact Cross and discuss what is to be done.

Korky Kleven came to the Oklee City Council to talk about the possibility of trunk Hwy 222 being repaired and turned over to county control. The state has funds to take trunk highways off their books to be turned over to county control. However, if the state keeps the trunk highway, only minor repairs will be done. The fixes to the road if it is taken over and uses the grant from the state could include new shoulders, moving utilities if needed, etc. There are some options and the city needs to discuss this and let Kleven know what they decide. If it road is turned over, it will no longer be a trunk highway and will not be top priority for clearing snow to dry pavement like the state does. It will be maintained like a county road. 

The other item Kleven brought to the table was about the Parks & Trails corridor group he is working with. He had a plan to upgrade the Omar Sundrud Park with monies from a grant he wants to write from Enbridge for a boat landing, shelter, electricity, and water. The council asked if it would cost the City any funding. There is no known match at this time and the City would have to maintain it. The Council liked the idea.

Darrell Tougas, maintenance person for Oklee, reported that the sewer repair at the High Rise has been fixed. There is a grant for new doors and windows for the Pump Building he would like to pursue. Leo Olson has turned in his keys to Lori Melby and he would like to hire someone on an on call basis to drive the snow truck when he is cleaning streets. Depending on the snow amounts, he might need two persons to clear snow faster. The council made a motion and approved hiring of temporary on call persons to help when needed.

The Council also approved the wage increases for Tougas and Cross. Tougas received a 3% raise and Cross’s wages were raised to be more competitive to other local city clerk wages and a 3% increase.

The City of Oklee approved residential rate increase for 2017 for water, sewer and garbage. 

The new rates are: 2 person-1 bag: $64.58; 2 person-2 bags: $68.81; 3 person-1 bag: $70.76; 3 person-2 bags: $74.99; Vacant lot rate: $25.53. Annual rates are still available.

The election was discussed and the new council persons are Paul Cyr and Matthew Genova. 

Cross asked if it was ok to train in Mandy Roisland to enter the water bills into the system while he is gone on vacation. He will be gone for two weeks. The council approved his request.

The vacant position needing to be filled because of Kent Bergerson’s resignation due to his moving out of town, was filled by Paul Cyr for the remainder of the year. 

December meeting:

On December 12th, the City Council of Oklee met and Burthwick, Jensen, Cyr, Melby and Munt present. Others were Gale Schmitz (accountant) and Darrell Tougas (maintenance).

Minutes were approved and Schmitz gave the financial report which was approved by motions by Cyr and Jensen. The Bills were paid with a motion by Melby and Munt.

Paul Cyr, was appointed the assistant mayor by a motion by Melby and Munt.

The Budget Levy was approved with a motion by Melby and Munt.

Darrell Tougas gave his maintenance report starting with tires for the Chevy pickup and also the need to look for an old Chevy truck – both were council approved.

The new park sign was looked at and needs to be changed to Omar Sundrud Memorial Park.

The Oklee Historical Society (OHS) presented the OHS financial papers for approval and permission to start working on the museum again. Will Tougas or Cross to order to purchase the rest of the flooring.

Discussed the lighting and the City Flag in the front of the City building. Also discussion on flooring in the City Clerk’s office. 

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Jensen & Munt.