Wednesday, November 28, 2007


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


Bertha-Hewitt School Board
by Carolynne Bisel
The regular meeting for the Bertha-Hewitt School Board was held on November 20 at 7:30 p.m. All the board members were present as well as: Robert Sieling, Mary Merchant, Diane Teigland, Bert Davenport and Randy Highland, CPA.
Actions
· Approved the agenda and the minutes of the regular meeting held on October 16, 2007, as reviewed.
· Approved the Fiscal Year 2007 Audit as presented by Randy Highland, CPA with Carlson-Highland, Ltd.
· Approved the 2007-2009 contracts for the supervisory positions of head custodian, cook manager, business manager, principal and interim superintendent as presented and recommended by the Board Negotiations Committee.
· Approved to hold the Truth in Taxation meeting on December 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the library/media center at the Bertha-Hewitt High School.
Discussion Without Action
· The board heard an informative, but lengthy presentation from Bert Davenport concerning the future use of lap top computers for students and the possible grant opportunities available to purchase them for the school.
· The school board retreat is scheduled for January 8, 2008.
· Final levy certification will take place at the December school board meeting. The proposed tax statements included maximum levies. The board will under levy in December as they did last year.
· The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.

Eagle Valley School Board
by Karin L. Nauber
All members of the school board were present for the one hour and 32 minute meeting.
Actions
Approved the consent agenda which included: the budget, the teacher seniority list, Cheryl Taylor as co-one act play director and the bid from Curt Gjerstad for the 1998 Windstar van for $52. It was the only bid. Gjerstad intends to use it as a shop project for his ag mechanics class. After they work on it, he intends to sell it and any excess money will be used to buy tools for the shop.
Approved the annual audit as presented by Brian Jacobson from Carlson Highland and Co.
Approved Ray Benning as volunteer girls basketball coach.
Held a closed session for union negotiation strategy.
Discussion Without Action
Heard an update on the negotiations from Chair Joel Godding. He said they have come to a tentative agreement on the language, however, still have a way to go to make a financial agreement.
Heard from students Joe Harren and Reed Lunemann about the possible band and choir trip in mid-May.
Heard from teachers Gjerstad, Andy Lancaster and Stephanie Eckel. Also heard from Elementary Administrator Duane Motzko and Principal Deanna Mattson-Millar.
Talked about the online courses and what might be available for students.
Superintendent Stephen Twitchell said the school would be left behind if they don't encourage the online classes.

Eagle Bend City Council
by Carolynne Bisel
In honor and memory of the Mayor, Elvin Seward, his usual chair was left vacant for the regular meeting held on November 19, 2007. All members were present for the hour and a half meeting. Guests present were: Sam Cossentine, Bobby Berndt, Steve Maland, Glen Line, Donald Jackson and Brad Lorentz.
Actions
· Approved to appoint Councilman Tim Notch as Mayor for the duration of Elvin Seward's term, which will end December 31, 2007.
· Approved to appoint Brad Lorentz to fill the seat vacated by Councilman Tim Notch.
· Accepted Section 2, Change Order No. 4, and the increase of $27,794.90 for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project, to be paid to Blombeck Construction, Inc. of Eagle Bend.
· Accepted the Certificate of Final Approval from Ulteig Engineers, Inc. for the inspection of the improvements for the Wastewater Treatment Facility and the Stabilization Pond Facilities Project performed by Blombeck Construction, Inc.
· Approved to pay Partial Payment No.9 (Final) to Blombeck Construction, Inc. in the amount of $133,813.40.
· Approved the request of payment to Todd County Public Works in the amount of $19,772.94 for work completed on the CSAH # 22 West Project.
· Granted the request from Eagle Heights Board Reps, Glen Line and Donald Jackson, to place stop signs on 2nd Avenue and Jackson Street. The stop signs will run east/west.
· Accepted Section 1, Change Order No. 7, Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project decrease of $12,300.81.
· Approved the Certificate of Final Payment to RL Larson Excavating, Inc.
· Approved Partial Payment No.9, (Final) to RL Larson Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $67,198.42 for Section 1, Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project.
· Approved a Resolution to Execute a Quit Claim Deed as requested from Wayne Tyrrell and Sharon Davis for the Florine Smith Property.
· Approved to give the maintenance crew authority to disconnect water/sewer at residences that have outstanding unpaid bills.
· Noted that the Truth-in Taxation Meeting will be held on December 3, at city hall at 7 p.m.

Clarissa City Council
by Marlo Benning
The council's November 19 meeting lasted just under an hour in length. All council members were present.
Actions
Citizen Einar Wang agreed to let Mayor Nathan McLaughlin and other volunteers help him clean up his property to be in compliance with new city ordinances. He agreed to get rid of or store the items listed on the last letter he received.
Approved a building permit for Louis Gramsey to make alterations to the roof of the building he owns next to Unity Bank.
Approved to close the airport for the winter months. This will save the time and expense of clearing snow from the runway.
Will advertise acreage for rent that is owned by the city near the water tower and in the industrial park.
Approved to move City Administrator Sue Kent up to the next pay scale after her recent satisfactory employee evaluation.
The truth in taxation hearing will be held on Monday, December 3 at 6:45 p.m.
Discussion without action
Mayor McLaughlin will work with the maintenance department on snowplowing specifics. Liquor Store Manager Chris Luebben requested that the store be one of the top priorities on the plowing list for easy access to customers.
The liquor store report noted a net profit for October of $1797.
marlo@inhnews.com