Mac Council approves new janitorial/maintenance position

The McIntosh City Council met in regular session on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at the Community Center at 5:30 pm. All members of the City Council were present.

The Council approved minutes from several meetings from August, including the Poplar Meadows Special meeting, the Regular Council meeting, and the 2016 Preliminary Budget meeting. 

Philip Lee with the McIntosh Community Club was present to ask the Council if there were any opposition to the Community Club organizing a City Playground Cleanup Day in the spring of 2016. The Council had no objections and would allow the Community Club to organize the event.

Under old business, there was no action on the Personnel Policy Review, Clean Up Day was tables until February of 2016, tree and shrubs around the Bjella Building and Fire Hall was also tabled, and there was nothing to report concerning Administrative fees. 

The Council reviewed several applications that were submitted for the janitorial position and unanimously agreed to hire Robert Knudson for the janitorial/maintenance position. He would be able to start at the end of September.

Mayor Toby Strom discussed rates with the current garbage contractor, Bacon’s Dray, and they are considering increasing rates in the City. Should the company increase the rates, the City will have to increase the residential rate as well. The Council agreed to discuss further, try to negotiate a lower increase, or possibly open the contract for bids from other garbage contractors.

Win-E-Mac Superintendent, Randy Bruer and School Board member, Jim Ferden were present at the meeting to discuss the upcoming renewal of the school referendum. They provided the Council with information so that should any residents have questions, they may be able to answer them.

There was an offer to purchase the small lot owned by the City behind 129 Broadway from Bruce Haaven for $300 plus any legal fees and the Council approved the offer and the offer was accepted.

A McIntosh resident requested an additional light post to be put up on Cottage Avenue. After discussion, the resident will instead put up a light on their home. The Council felt that there was sufficient lighting on the street at this time.

Bob and Laurie Bursheim with the McIntosh Community Club were present at the meeting to request that the Council approve moving the lighted Christmas sign from the south side of Highway 2 to the area where the elk stands. In order to do so, the light pole near the elk would need to have a power outlet installed at street level. The Council agreed to allow the installation of the power source and allow the Community Club to use the area for the Christmas sign and additional decorations.

There were two building permits issued, one to Ron LeMer for building a shed on his property and one to Bub Hulst for changing the location of the sign at Mt Carmel Church.

Larry Hedlund, McIntosh City Maintenance Manager was present at the meeting to explain to the Council about several locations in the City that need to be updated with proper backflow systems to be up to code with the State. The City has the park that needs to be updated and there are several businesses that would be responsible in updating their systems as well. Quotes will be sent to the City and the Businesses since the work has to be done when it is not freezing outside, the matter was tabled until February of 2016, when the work would be scheduled.

As in the past, the date for the Public 2016 Budget meeting will be scheduled after the Council meeting on December 10, 2015 at 7:00 pm.

There is again concerns about skunks in the City. This time on the North side of town as reported by Councilmember, Melissa Finseth.

Steve Urness inquired about a dog incident that recently took place in the City. The Clerk informed the Council that the incident occurred when a resident entered a neighbor’s yard to retrieve their own dog and was bit by a dog that was tied up in that yard. There was a Police report filed and the dog is under watch for the required 10 days. Since the dog in question was in compliance with all laws and ordinances and the resident who was bit was not in compliance with the City leach law, there was no further action taken. 

Wanda Stordahl informed the Council that there has been an increase in enforcement with speeding on the North side of town. She also heard who ever cleaned up the City’s’ green dump did a great job.

Larry Hedlund also informed the Council that he will be doing sidewalk inspection in September and October.

The City Clerk, Elena Boianoff, informed the Council that there was an estimate brought to her attention to wash the watertower that may be significantly lower than the quote that has been sumitted prior. The Council was in approval to open bids for the washing of the watertower.

Mayor Toby Strom informed the Council that the Tractor Parade and the Tractor Pull and all the other events of that day went great. “Everyone was pleased.”

The McIntosh City Council will meet again in regular session on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at 5:30 pm at the Community Center.