Tuesday, September 15, 2020

City Council Minutes

 

City of Russell

Council Meeting

September 7, 2020

Present:  Mayor Chris Feehan, Casey DeHoedt, Terry Newcomb, Jay Pierschbacher, Robert Smith, City Maintenance Supervisor Jim Larrington and City Clerk, Cindy Smith. 

Mayor Feehan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Review of the minutes from August 3, 2020 were reviewed and motioned for approval by Casey DeHoedt and this motion was seconded by Terry Newcomb. 

Aye’s – All approved, Nay’s – None; Motion Passed.

Review of the minutes from the August 28, 2020 were reviewed and motion for approval the Casey DeHoedt and this motion was seconded by Terry Newcomb.

Aye’s – All approved, Nay’s – None; Motion Passed.

Review of income and expenses were reviewed and motioned for approval by Jay Pierschbacher and this motion was seconded by Robert Smith.

Aye’s – All approved, Nay’s – None; Motion Passed.

Last Chance liquor license is up for renewal.  Casey DeHoedt motioned to approve the renewal of the liquor license for Last Chance and this motion was seconded by Terry Newcomb.

Aye’s – All approved, Nay’s – None; Motion Passed.

Fire Department report:  The Russell Fire Department will be having a drive through supper on September 19th from 4:30 to 7:00 pm.

Water/wastewater report:  Jim stated he and Mayor Feehan repaired a water leak on the east end of Shaw street on Friday night.  He has been working with Rathbun on getting our chlorine levels back up, the new riser pipe in the tower is getting primed and has been using more chlorine the normal. 

Street Report:  Shaw Street Storm sewer project will start week of the 8th, weather allowing, and will take approximately 10 days, residents have been notified.  Jim is still awaiting some parts, but he will be able to get started.  Jim has also been using the skid loader and brush cutter to trim up around the ditches and railroads lanes.  Jim and Lyle have also been getting some holes patched, getting ready for winter. 

Old Business:  City received one application from Kael Cox.  Robert Smith motioned to hire Mr. Cox on a part time ( 20 hours per week) and this motion was seconded by Jay Pierschbacher.

Aye’s – All approved, Nay’s – None; Motion Passed.

City has ordered and received 7 more new Christmas decoration (trees and stockings) that will be put up this holiday season.  City will also use the 4 new ones that were used last year and as many of the old decorations that can still be used.  Council will research what to do with the old decoration.

Redemption can trailer has been working well, we will try to possibly locate another trailer to use so that there is always a trailer there. 

The time capsule – the time capsule was located when the remainder of the monument that held the time capsule had to be removed due to damage from the park at the community center.  Discussions were made to hold a public opening of the capsule, but due to the covid virus, council decided to open the time capsule.  There was numerous paper items and centennial coins as the time capsule was made in 1976.  The decision was made to give the time capsule and contents to the Russell Historical Society to place in the museum.

The garden club has elected officer’s and will be opening their own checking account.  The city will hold onto the donated Horizon’s money until they need.

New Business:  We will need to purchase a computer that has a camera and microphone capabilities as that is how Jim Larrington will now need to take classes and testing for his water/wastewater certification test’s and classes. Jay Pierschbacher may have access to possibly purchase a used one, he will let us know.

Dusty Butler is possibly purchasing the lot west of Southside LLC.  He has spoken with Mayor Feehan about possibly building a Morton home/building and had requested if there were any permits necessary to build a new house/building there.  The only ordinance that the city has is that mobile homes must be pre-approved by the city prior to moving in and that there are no other current ordinances/permits or zoning requirements at this time. 

Larry Templeton had called the office and had stated that there are several mobile homes that have moved in and the he had moved one in several years ago and was give 72 hours to remove the trailer.  City clerk had researched old council meeting minutes from 2010 to current and found no place where he had contacted the city to receive approval from the council to bring in a mobile home.  He is requesting that the city reimburse him $5,000.00 that he states he lost from the removal of the mobile home from his property.  No record exists of any prior approval and Mayor Feehan will discuss the situation with him and that this would need to go to legal.

Rates for use of city lawn mower and other city equipment and time charges will be reviewed in December/January.

Council is also wanting to start up a web page that will provide listing of all activities and allow access to the public of all city ordinances.

City is also looking into the possible start of accepting credit/debit cards for payments due to the city.  There is a company that works with our bank that we could use and customers can pay online via a web site.  This procedure would have a 3 to 4% added charge to the user.  Cindy will continue to set up option. 

Jay Pierschbacher motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 and this motion was seconded by Casey DeHoedt.

Meeting adjourned.

 

 

______________________________

Approved by,

Terry Newcomb, Mayor Pro-Tem

Attest:

 

 

 

_____________________________________

Cindy A Smith, City Clerk

 

 

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