The December meeting of the Garretson City Council met on a snowy, windy night and held an abbreviated meeting due to the weather. Mayor Tim Mullin opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, then opened the floor to Fire Department outgoing Chief Mark Rozeboom. The fire department is looking into transferring workman's compensation insurance to the fire department for 2018. Councilwoman Richelle Hofer made a motion to issue a refund to the Garretson Fire Department when the policy is switched, and the council approved the motion. He thanked Mayor Mullin and Councilwoman Hofer for meeting with the department a couple weeks ago so all concerns could be addressed, and the Council thanked Mark for his great service to the Garretson area. Next year's fire chief will be Jeff Frerk.
Next, Councilwoman Gloria Sanders requested that board reports be tabled until next meeting due to the weather, and the Council approved the changes to the agenda. Natural gas prices were not yet released but expected to remain the same, and the council approved the prices as recommended. As part of natural gas, it is required each year to designate an emergency phone number, and the Council approved using the Helpline at a cost of $106 per month (which includes 10 calls per month).
The Humane Society contract was also due, and the Council approved the contract at a cost of $43 per day ($56 after hours) whenever the service is utilized. The council questioned how many cats had been removed from the area over the past year, and City Finance Officer Anna Uhl was unable to provide an exact number, but was able to say that it was "a lot." Several town members have helped by live trapping stray animals.
The Sheriff's contract then required approval at the yearly cost of $75,822.76 for 43 hours per week. This is similar to last year's contract.
Liquor license renewals had been received by "O" So Good, Dollar General, The Gulch, Sports Cabin, and Palisades Oil. No application had yet been received from Skrewballz. Applications are officially due December 31, but required approval at a Council meeting prior to January 1. Since the next council meeting is not until January 8, the council debated how they wanted to proceed with the Skrewballz application. After a short debate, they opted to do a "phone in vote," where they would telephone in their vote rather than hold a special meeting, after the application from Skrewballz had been received. The council asked if the establishment had been contacted, and Uhl said she had tried to call and had sent a letter with the application and fee requirements to all liquor license holders. All other applications for licenses were approved without issue.
The council then moved on to the second reading of the Supplemental Appropriations Ordinance 634-2017. This allowed $53,850 to be transferred to the general fund for use. Items such as CCoG dues, health insurance, animal control, electricity costs, and the dam were to be paid with these funds.
The City still has not received the funds from FEMA for the work on the dam; while they have been assured that it should arrive by the end of the year, the council was still wary. The contracting company has been fully paid with funds the City borrowed from the bank.
Uhl then stated that a meeting regarding ambulance funding was to be held on December 14 at the Courthouse, and the ambulance requested that the mayor and at least one other council member attend. Councilman Bill Hoskins nominated Councilman Greg Beaner, as Councilman Beaner has experience with the ambulance. He and Mayor Mullin said they would do their best to attend.
Councilman Dave Bonte then gave a report on the Frontline Crop Solutions issue that had been addressed at November's meeting and special meeting. Councilman Bonte had been unable to attend the special meeting, and addressed many of the same issues that had been brought up at the second meeting. He stated that it would be best for the City to keep the installation of a larger water line to the industrial development on the short-term list, even if the City cannot accommodate the full water needs of the Frontline company. He also suggested the company install storage containers. The City will also need to eventually install a water tower northwest of the area, in order to accommodate the needs of further development. Councilman Bonte also agreed that fire safety and water pressure needs to be part of the water discussion.
The council then adjourned, and will be meeting again on Monday, January 8 at 6:30 pm.
