by Mari Radtke
A visiting member of the audience, Glenda Heithus asked during public comments if members of the public can cut fire wood for themselves from the downed trees stored on the corner of Maple and East Broadway. It was confirmed that privately used firewood can be cut.
She went on to describe a varmints in the neighborhood, believing they are finding habitat in the tree piles. She asked when the trees were going to be removed. Superintendent Kelly Top offered the intentions of the contractor for the last week of February, explained the wind delayed the project but declined providing an answer.
The approved consent agenda included February 20 and February 26 meeting minutes, the appointment of Lauri Struve and Amber Ebel as Paullina Ambulance Service Co-Directors and the appointment of Nathan Bremer as Paullina Police Chief.
City Clerk Michelle Wilson reported that certain invoices prepared for approval had been getting sent to the incorrect email. The invoices are for the electric utility. The email confusion caused some of the invoices to be “dated.”
The City of Hartley bills the City of Paullina for travel and time to provide assistance for certain tasks required to properly operate the water system. A claim apparently prompted Councilmember Carol Honkomp to ask Top about the status of Paullina staff testing. Some tasks require DNR licensing. Current Paullina staff have taken one test. According to Top, he and Josh Biery are waiting for DNR to contact them with a testing date.
In a twist to historic procedure, Mayor Marlin Sjaarda opened the “redo of a public hearing” after publication. The public hearing for the city’s lagoon aeration project had been previously scheduled and held, however a notice had not been sent for publication. No comments were received orally or in writing about the $434,776.50 project according to Wilson. Approximately 25% of the project cost should be covered by the city’s ARPA (COVID relief) funds. In standard form, the mayor entertained a motion to close the public hearing. Councilmembers Honkomp and Nicole Jacobs moved and seconded to close the hearing. The resolution to approved the details of the project was moved by Councilmember Dennis Werkmeister with a second from Councilmember Jean Unrau. After Sjaarda called for discussion, Werkmeister asked, “So administratively is this the correct process what we’re into now?” Sjaarda replied, “Yes.” The roll call vote was all in support of moving the project forward.
The Missouri River Energy Services representative and alternate chosen were Kelly Top and Dennis Werkmeister as alternate. The primary duty is a May 8 and 9 meeting in Sioux Falls.
Council discussed using a grant writer on an as needed basis. Jacobs, an economic development committee member, reported that most of the grants at this time were fairly simple to complete and would not require a grant writer. She advised needing the city’s EIN to move forward on the current grant requests on the city’s radar. Werkmeister commented that there are some future projects coming up that they would start talking about. Honkomp shared, “The guy in Spencer said that you could just call him anytime and they could ususally get you in and start writing.” Use of a grant writer as needed met with council approval.
Budget discussions were addressed. The budget public hearings are set for Monday April 1, 2024. That is the time for public questions or comments about the budget, what work, equipment or machinery, wages or other planned spending to be brought directly to council prior to a budget adoption.