By Mari Radtke
The regular Sutherland City Council meeting opened with 2 public hearings. The first was to consider public comments about the proposed budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022. Council did approve the resolution to adopt the proposed budget. The total property tax levy is set at $14.03375 per $1000 or property tax value within the incorporated limits of the city.
The second public hearing that also received no public comments was for the city to enter into a contract to sell property to Doug Sweeney. There were no comments. Amanda Vander Hof, City Clerk reported that she had gone over the contract with Sweeney about changes to the contract discussed by council in February. He had no issues with construction was to be a single family dwelling ready for occupancy on or before March 7, 2024. The minimum square footage was set at 1200 with an attached 2-stall garage.
The resolution to enter into the contract was passed by the council and to execute the contract.
Jared Johnson, Emergency Management Coordinator for O’Brien County updated the Sutherland council about the activities of the office over the past year. He advised the council of the need for each member to take time to earn NIMS credits. That is beneficial to the county and cities for eligibility for disaster funds. He also got approval for the FEMA approved disaster response plan, also necessary for presidential (declared) disaster relief funds.
Kiana Johnson, O’Brien County Economic Development (OCEDC) Director was also in attendance to report the activities of her department over the past year. She reported that OCEDC submitted a grant application for additional funds to enhance the revolving loan funds to be used within the county. It was reported that Jordan Bird accepted membership to the Sutherland economic board.
For a police officer to attend the academy a rifle with specific accessories is required. Council considered 2 quotes that meet the specifications. The first is a Rock River R3 rifle with accessories, optics, sling and magazines. The other is a Core15 Tac15 rifle, also with the same accessories at the same price. Both quotes came from “Bracy’s Precision Firearms.” When asked which he preferred Chief Derek Nixon responded that he prefers the Rock River. The price for the Rock River was $385 more than the Core15. Council voted 4-1 in favor of Chief Nixon’s preference.
Council also passed a resolution to enter into a 28E agreement with the City of Paullina to share police officers. The idea is to provide time off to all officers and establish a regular work week. Paullina approved the agreement at their February 21 meeting.
During the committee reports council discussed a price proposal submitted by Fergusson Waterworks. The proposal is to provide all equipment and the personnel to change all water meters in the city. The cost is $157,378.00. Some benefits for this system are the meters are claimed to be more accurate, and require less time to read and reenter for billing purposes. A computerized system can link to each meter and send into a billing system. All of the models of the Ferguson Waterworks system are compatible with each other and the say that will not change. The reduced time may allow for monthly billing in the future. This new system is said to be able to detect unusual usage such as a leak. The money to pay for the change out would come from the American Recovery Act Plan (ARPA) funds.