August 17, 2009

The Groton City Council met on the above date at 7pm at City Hall for their regular second monthly meeting with the following members present: Hendrickson, Brotherton, Nyberg, Heitmann, Hamilton, Anderson, and Mayor Olson presiding.

Moved by Heitmann and seconded by Brotherton to approve the minutes as read. All members present voted aye.

Congratulations were given to the Teeners for 6th Place at State Tournament and receiving the Sportsmanship Trophy.

Discussion was held on the Youth Center financing. The Dance did not generate enough to pay bills for the fund raiser. Donations, grants and the city appropriation are spent and no funding is forthcoming. Addressing the Council in favor of continued operation were Kathy Sundermeyer, and Paul Moulsoff. Moved by Heitmann and seconded by Hamilton to temporarily close the Youth Center and box up all the equipment until a final decision is made. Members voting aye were: Heitmann, Hamilton, Brotherton, Anderson, and Nyberg. Hendrickson voted nay. Motion carried.

Fourth St reconstruction was underestimated by $80,000 (50%) and State St was underestimated by $16,000 (50%) in the specifications. Fourth St will be completed with savings on other projects and State St will be cancelled for 2009. 7Th Ave parking was also discussed.

Moved by Hendrickson and seconded by Anderson to authorize Branden Abeln to attend the wastewater school in Watertown from August 25-27. All members present voted aye.

Moved by Hamilton and seconded by Nyberg to authorize Jamie Harrington to attend the Certification Testing in Rochester, MN on August 19. All members present voted aye.

Moved by Nyberg and seconded by Brotherton to name Faye Berndt, Marie Sternhagen, and Joyce Grenz or Pat Larson as election workers for the Sept 1, Wastewater Bond Election at a wage of $8 per hour. All members present voted aye.

Meter reader Matt Johnson has submitted is resignation. Applications will be considered at the next meeting.

Hamilton, Olson, and Heitmann reported on the Heartland Consumer Power District meeting. Everyone was urged to contact the US Senators to vote against the Climate Change Bill in its present state due to projected increases of 165% for electric rates. Rate increases for 2010 are expected to be 6%.

Terms of the Wells Fargo Special Assessment loan with the additional fees were in the original letter. The Finance Officer & Mayor apologized for not noting them in at the earlier meeting.

Moved by Brotherton and seconded by Anderson to move the next meeting date to Tuesday, Sept 8 due to the Labor Day holiday. All members present voted aye.

Moved by Nyberg and seconded by Anderson to authorize Mayor Olson and Finance Officer Lowary to attend the SD Municipal League meeting in Watertown on Oct 6-9. All members present voted aye.

Moved by Hamilton and seconded by Brotherton to seek matching grant funds for purchase of trees for the park in 2010. All members present voted aye.

Hours of the rubble site were discussed. Finding a Sunday monitor is difficult.

Street dust proofing results were discussed.

At 8pm the following bids were opened for the rent of the airport farm land:
Thurston Cattle Company - $202.00 / acre
Jeremy Whitehouse - $148.68/ acre
Moved by Heitmann and seconded by Nyberg to accept the high bid from Thurston Cattle Company (Gary Thurston). All members present voted aye.

The 2010 budget was reviewed. Several changes were made.

Meeting adjourned.


_____________________________ ________________________________
Roy L. Olson, Mayor Anita Lowary, Finance Officer