Local News

Wednesday, December 19, 2007


Meeting Watch
Includes: Eagle Valley School Board, Hewitt City Council, Bertha City Council


Eagle Valley School Board
by Karin L. Nauber

All members of the board were present for the regular meeting on December 10. The meeting was two hours and 15 minutes long excluding the closed session which took place for the superintendent's review.
Actions
Approved the consent agenda which included authorizing 10 more work days for Superintendent Stephen Twitchell. This will be two more days a month from January through May. The estimated cost for the additional days is $3900.
The board authorized an agreement with Jack Josephson Construction Management to study and come up with cost proposals on several options for the district in the way of building options. Board Member Tom Eckel said he was concerned that this would result in a big fancy quote that would tell them nothing. The board added two more items to the original eight options. The original cost for the work was quoted as $4700.
Approved a music department trip to Chicago provided the funds are raised to go. Music Director Jason Wiltermuth said he would not ask the board for any money.
Approved the 2007 payable 2008 levy certification at $448,175.61.
By roll call vote, approved the master agreement with the Eagle Valley Education Association for 2007-2009. Under the agreement, over the course of the two years the teachers will receive a 5.74% increase in salary. Board Member Tom Eckel voted against the approval.
Adopted a resolution to enter into an agreement with Bemidji State University for Eagle Valley to be a student teaching site.
Approved Twitchell to appoint a committee to review the hot lunch program as to menu, length of time and other issues. A recommendation should be brought to the January 10 meeting.
Discussion Without Action
Principal Deanna Mattson-Millar gave a brief explanation of the Adequate Yearly Progress application that had been completed.
Discussed the coalition group. Twitchell said that some community groups were not represented and some were over represented. Some felt that the group was not working because it was so large and that new people have come into the group weeks into it. The board will schedule another coalition meeting after they have had a chance to review the cost comparisons from Josephson.



Hewitt City Council
by Karin L. Nauber

All members of the Hewitt City Council were present for the December 11 meeting. The meeting was one hour and 32 minutes long.
Actions
Approved a building permit for Shawnette Hurtig.
The League of Minnesota Cities has advised the city to settle with the Stampede. The Stampede will receive $500 in compensation for its claim against the city which involved the discrepancy in the renewal of their various liquor licenses for 2007. The city's insurance will send the check to the Stampede if they accept the offer.
Approved the city levy at $47,500.
Approved liquor licenses for Denim and Diamonds and for Stampede Saloon and Grill. Council Member Johannes Marsland was opposed to both.
Signed the cooperative agreement with Kathryn Sletto Consulting for the joint Bertha and Hewitt housing rehabilitation. Approximately five homes will be rehabilitated in Hewitt. There will be approximately 20 completed in Bertha.
Approved sending a letter to Rick's Repair owner Rick Sullivan to let him know that if he runs his business he needs to have running water.
Approved allowing the fire department to get a gas card.
Held the 90 day probation review for City Clerk/Treasurer Miriam Collom. Collom asked that the meeting be open. She received a very positive review and was approved for an increase in salary from $11 to $12 per hour.
Approved giving the contractor on the new Hewitt garage until December 31 to get the trusses ordered and in place.
Discussion Without Action
Dan Frank from the Initiative Foundation attended the meeting and talked to the city about what the foundation could offer.

Bertha City Council
by Carolynne Bisel

All council members were present for the regular meeting held on December 10.
Guests present were: Mark Woelfel, James Gritz, Pete Wallner, Ron Bastian, Gary Kleen, Treva Feezoe, Darrell Hoemberg, Paul Saffert and Kent Louwagie. The lengthy meeting lasted for three hours.
Actions
· Accepted the proposal for the Bertha Fire Relief Association annual benefit level of 800 for lump sum pension plans as presented by Darrell Hoemberg and Pete Wallner.
· The council heard a lengthy discussion from the staff reports and on the snow removal problems within the city.
· Approved the purchase of a ventless deep fryer for the Liquor Store for the amount of $795 from Fry Guy Inc.
· The council heard a presentation on the City of Bertha's Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan from Kent Louwagie and Paul Saffert, project and environmental engineers from Bolton & Menk, Inc.
· Approved the final budget & 2007 tax levy, payable in 2008, total levy $47,000.
· Approved the 2008 wage increases for city employees.
· The council noted that the Healthy Community Partners-Medley Shamp meeting is set for March 19, 2008 at the Bertha Community Center.
· The council set the date for the Public Hearing concerning the Small Cities Housing Rehabilitation grant to be on January 14, 2008 at 7:15 p.m. and approved advertising for an administrator for Deed grant.
· Adopted an official Return toWork Policy as followed by Lakewood Health Systems and is parallel with Tri- County Hospital's concerning the ambulance and EMT's.
· The council came to the consensus that they will look at the cost factor before making a decision on Thein Well's request concerning ground inspection and rehabilitation on well #2.
· Accepted Sun Opta intent to cancel off the Wastewater Treatment Agreement.