By Mari Radtke
The November 6 regular meeting of Sutherland City Council opened with a public hearing for the adoption of a proposed Urban Revitalization plan. There were no public comments.
O’Brien County Engineer Dennis Clark attended to provide information and field questions from council about the M12 resurfacing project. The project has been in the county’s 5-year plan. The project proposes to resurface M12 from Highway 18 at Hartley south to Highway 10 at Sutherland. Both communities are asked to contribute to a part of the project within their borders.
Sutherland has about 1 mile within city limits. The county is responsible for the center 22 feet of the road, leaving the shouldering to the city. Bids will be let in January. A firm price will be available at that time. The county agreed to a zero-interest, five-year loan to Sutherland for the cost. The first payment would most likely come due in January 2025. Current estimates for the project are near $118,000.
A resolution approving the 28E Agreement for this project as outlined was passed by council.
Also receiving a positive vote from the Sutherland Council is the Annual Financial Report (AFR) for fiscal 2023, ending June 30, 2023. This report is due to the state no later than December 1, 2023 and requires council approval and publication prior to submission.
Additional reports due by December 1 and approved by Sutherland City Council include the Urban Renewal Report and the Street Finance.
The water supply sanitary report found no significant or minor deficiencies. Recommendations were made.
1) Ensure water mains are sized appropriately where there is fire protection
2) Develop and implement a valve-exercise program
3) Implement a leak detection survey program
4) Inspect the finished water tower at least every two years
5) Conduct regular water loss audits
6) Develop a written Emergency Response Plan
The inspection also reminds officials to take efforts to replace lead service lines and goose necks, disinfection residuals were sampled during the sanitary survey and to complete the lead service line inventory. A deadline to submit the inventory to DNR was set at October 16, 2024.
The resolution and ordinance adopting the Urban Renewal Revitalization Area of the City of Sutherland passed. The 2nd and 3rd readings were both waived. The ordinance published in “O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier” on November 16 and became effective once filed.
The Sutherland Revitalization Plan area is all of the area within the corporate city limits of Sutherland. Any area annexed into the City will be included as part of the Urban Revitalization area.
Blight designations to qualify the City for Urban Revitalization were identified. The objective is to create new construction on vacant land and rehabilitate existing structures. Another objective is to stabilize the tax base. Improvements to existing residential property by at least 10% actual value or new construction by any amount qualify.
Residential improvements benefit by a 100% exemption up to $300,000 for 3 years. An application process must be completed.
Final installation of water meters by Ferguson is expected to be complete before Thanksgiving. Ferguson is sending their own employee for the final half dozen or so meters that remain.
Schweback Tree Service was scheduled to remove trees at the Sutherland City Park and Library, on Main Street and on 2nd Street on Wednesday November 8. They reported that they would be delayed in Paullina and would come as soon as possible.