Beresford City Council

February 2, 2009

The Beresford City Council met in regular session in the City Library Community Room on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.

Members present: Mayor Jim Fedderson presiding, Wayne Akland, Teresa Kaltenbach, Gary Lambert, Rich Spaans, Pete Womack. 
 

Also present: Jerry Zeimetz, City Administrator, Kathy Moller, Finance Officer, Tom Frieberg, City Attorney. 
 

Absent: Dan Cotton. 
 

Adopt Agenda: A motion to adopt the agenda was made by Spaans, second by Womack, motion carried. 
 

Minutes: Akland made the motion to approve the minutes from the meeting held on January 20, 2009, second by Kaltenbach, motion carried. Spaans made the motion to approve the minutes from the special meeting held on January 23, 2009, second by Lambert, motion carried. 
 

Public Forum and Visitors:

BEDCO Director: The Beresford Economic Development Corporation (BEDCO) members consisting of Phil Peterson, Gerald Dahlin, Gary Schaap, and Dale Nothdurft met with the council to recommend Nathan Jensen as the new BEDCO Director. Council member Lambert made the motion to appoint Nathan Jensen as the BEDCO director to complete Dick Travis’ term ending October 2009, Womack second, all BEDCO members and council members voted aye, motion carried.   
 

Electric rates: Jason Atwood attended the meeting to express concern on the new electric rates and his current utility bill for their new home. Jason contacted area electric companies to compare rates. Beresford Electric Supt., Jay Nordquist was also present to answer questions. After a long discussion Mayor Fedderson asked the Finance & Utility Committee, consisting of council members Akland, Spaans and Lambert to meet and discuss this issue before the next council meeting. Jason Atwood was also asked to attend the next council meeting. No action was taken.

Committee/Mayor Reports:

Public Safety and Energy Committee: Council members Cotton, Lambert and Akland reported that they recently met with Electric Supt., Jay Nordquist, Police Chief, Larry Christensen, Fire Dept. Chief Tarz Mullinix, and Assistant Fire Chief, Scott Kruse to discuss any issues that they may have. No action taken.    
 

Unfinished Business:

Clay Rural Water System: City Attorney Frieberg stated that the Clay Rural Water board met and approved the agreement to purchase excess water from the City of Beresford. The signed contract has been sent but not returned yet.

Security at Woodfield Center: A Memorandum of Agreement has been drawn up between Lutheran Social Services and the City of Beresford to have the Beresford Police Dept. periodically patrol the grounds. The agreement will be sent to Lutheran Social Services for approval. Electric Supt. Jay Nordquist stated his department would be digging postholes for a gate that will be installed at the entrance to the property. 
 
 

Review Sick Leave Donation policy: City Administrator Zeimetz and Finance Officer Moller checked with the surrounding communities to review their sick leave donation policies. The Policy & Procedure Committee consisting of Akland, Kaltenbach and Cotton were asked to get together to discuss this policy and bring their findings to the next council meeting.  
 

Lincoln County Transfer Station: City Administrator Zeimetz spoke with garbage contract holder, Loren Fischer to discuss using both the Lincoln County Transfer Station at Worthing and the Vermillion Landfill for garbage disposal. Council member Spaans made the motion to amend Loren Fischer Disposal’s contract to include the use of the Vermillion Landfill, Womack second. All council members present voted aye, motion carried.  
 

New Business:

Request for 2009 subsidy from Beresford Community Bus: A draw down request was received for the municipal subsidies from the Beresford Community Transportation Program. Council member Spaans made the motion to give $5,000 to the Beresford Community Transportation Program, Akland second, all council members present voted aye, motion carried.

Gas Quotes: A gas quote was received from Total Stop for $0.02 cents per gallon off the pump price less taxes. A motion was made by Lambert to accept the bid, second by Spaans. All council members present voted aye, motion carried. 
 

Step Pay Increase for Joe Knutson: Joe Knutson, Beresford Electric Dept., is due for his step pay increase from $22.01/hr. to $22.63/hr per union agreement. A motion to approve the pay increase for Joe Knutson was made by Akland, second by Kaltenbach, all present council members voted aye, motion carried. 
 

Review Section 19-200 of the City Code of Ordinance regarding reconnection fees: The council reviewed section 19-200 of the City Code of Ordinances. The ordinance currently states that a fee of $25 will be charged to rec