Meeting Watch
Includes: Clarissa City Council, Eagle Bend City Council and Browerville School Board


Clarissa City Council

by Marlo Benning

marlo@inhnews.com

    April’s regular meeting lasted about an hour.  Council Member Mike Meiners was absent and visitors included Becky Pratt on behalf of the Clarissa Community Club and Chris Luebben, liquor store manager.

Actions

     • Approved to hold a public hearing about the liquor store prior to next month’s meeting at 6 p.m.  The city recently received a letter notifying them that because they had lost money two out of the past three years at the store, they are required to hold a public hearing.  After the state audit was done, which includes depreciation and other factors, the numbers show:  2009, $288 loss; 2010, $9822 gain; 2011, $3169 loss.

    The city held off on a request from the Clarissa Community Club to donate towards the fireworks for the summer festival until they get the numbers back from the store’s 2012 audit.

     • Approved to advertise for two summertime maintenance positions.

     • Approved a building permit for Andy Lancaster for a home at 35002 - 201st Ave. and Glen and Lisa Norton for a house addition and to move a garage at 109 Main St., E.

     • Approved to donate ice and glasses to the Eagle Valley Post Prom Party.

     • Approved to disconnect delinquent accounts and add money owed to the city for water bills to their tax roles.

     • Approved letter of intent to purchase property from Ray and Marlo Benning, owners of the Independent News Herald, to proceed with the sale of the lot behind their business where the water tower once stood in the amount of $400.  All closing costs and other associated fees will be their responsibility.

Discussion without Action

     • Council Member Gene Booker had gotten quotes for security cameras for the liquor store after it was recommended by the state auditor. It was noted that having the cameras would get them a discount on insurance. This was tabled until the next meeting.

     • Council Member Brent Line voiced his concern about deputies parking along Highway 71 just down from the liquor store; especially on the weekends.  He feels that it is hurting the business.  Booker said that he knows people will just go down the road to the next store in the neighboring towns.

     Mayor Larry Cook will speak with Sheriff Mikkelson about their concerns.

     • Chris Luebben noted her appreciation to the Lions Club for the popcorn machine that they donated for the liquor store’s use.             She reported a $1261 year-to-date gain at the end of March for the store.

     There was some discussion about getting WiFi at the liquor store. Luebben noted a 25 cent increase was made on coffee and that the ladies expo event is slated for the end of April.

 

Eagle Bend City Council

by Carolynne Bisel

     Mayor Brad Lorentz was the only council member not present for the regular meeting held on April 15. Staff present were: Twila Pierce, Keven Hess, Sam Cossentine and Bobby Berndt. The meeting was approximately thirty minutes long.

Actions

     • Reviewed the update from Kathryn Sletto Consulting on the Housing Rehabilitation Project and approved to pay $2,000 for professional consulting services.

     • Tabled final approval on adopting the revised ordinance amendment pertaining to municipal regulations and licensing of dogs and cats until further clarification.

     • Approved the renewal liquor license for 3.2 off sale at Shirley’s Gas & Groceries.

     • Passed a resolution to offer the vacant city council seat to Jessica Olson.

Discussion Without Action

     • Administrator Kevin Hess presented the liquor store report for the month of March noting a profit of $1,034.08.

     • Police Chief Bobby Berndt presented the monthly activity report for the cities of Bertha and Eagle Bend. He noted that Eagle Bend generally has more speeding violations.

 

Browerville School Board

     The Browerville School Board met on Monday, March 11, with members Denis Irsfeld, Bob Bryniarski, Mike Jeziorski, Heidi Iten, Denise Gaida, Joe Duncan and Corey Heid present. Others in attendance were: Robert Schaefer, Patrick Sutlief, Wayne Petermeier, Darla Schaefer, Robert Schueller and Venus King of the Browerville Blade.

Actions

     • Reviewed progress of the softball dugouts; the Industrial Tech Woods class will be building helmet, bat storage and the benches for the dugouts

     • Reviewed 2013-15 MSHSL numbers for wrestling.

     • Approved an overnight stay for the baseball team at the Canby Wood Bat Baseball Tournament on May 18.

     • Approved the February 2013 personnel leaves as presented.

     • Accepted the letter of retirement from Elaine Duncan effective at the end of the 2012-13 school year.

     • Approved the roster of spring coaches as presented for the 2012-13 school year.

     • Authorized the posting of a junior high track position for the 2012-13 school year.

     • Accepted the resignation of Denise Olander as the Browerville BPA Advisor at the end of the 2012-13 school year.

     • Approved the Superintendent/Elementary Principal contract with Scott Vedbraaten beginning July 1, 2013.

     • Set the 2013 summer swimming pool fees.

     • Renewed the membership with the Minnesota State High School League for the 2013-14 school year.

     • Renewed membership in the Prairie Conference for 2013-14.

     • Approved the Browerville School portrait agreement 2013-15 with Tolifson Photography.

Discussion Without Action

     • Reviewed student numbers for the 2012-13 school year and estimated numbers for the 2013-14 school year. A fund balance summary from 1999-2012 was presented. Consensus opinion of the board was to make an effort to maintain a six month working fund balance for the district. The preliminary 2013-14 budget was reviewed. Due to the drop of an estimated 48 students since 2012-13 through 2013-14, a budget deficit was projected to be approximately $451,000. Factors that will determine the final budget number will be based on student numbers for the 2013-14 school year, the 2013-15 biennium Minnesota Legislative budget package for education, and the reduction in the 2013-14 expenditure budget. The board members also discussed future educational relationships with neighboring school districts.



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