Thursday, April 13, 2023 @ 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
Mayor Shaud Schwarzbach called the meeting to order.
Council members present: Jon Sheehy and Krystyl Kulbeck in person. Rich Jespersen and Danielle Weaver via Zoom
Staff present: Wendy Kleinsasser, Tim LaBuda
Public: Nick Peet, Gary Johnson, KLJ, via Zoom, Andrew Bartel 406 Ag, Luke LaLiberty, KLJ, Jason Terry and Shane Chauvet
Approval of Meeting Minutes: Krystyl Kulbeck moved to approve the minutes from March. Rich Jespersen seconded. Motion passed.
Sheriff’s Report: None
Public Comment: Jason Terry is interested in hooking into the NCMRWA line when it built. This will be an agenda item at the May meeting.
Pivot: The agreement that the town has with Chauvet’s is that should the soil under the pivot become an issue we would take steps to cure the problem. Andrew Bartel from 406 Ag gave the council an update on the current situation. He reported that the sodium levels were too high for crop production. That level is 8% at six inches and should be 2%.The rise in the sodium level is due to drought conditions the last two years as well as high sodium water being applied from the lagoons. There has been a steady rise since 2014. The Mayor said the town has three goals: to not poison the ground, do what can be done to keep the land in production and to empty the lagoon. Applying gypsum in the fall will help as well as hoping for a wet fall and winter. In the meantime the town will need to find other ways to get rid of the sewer water. The KLJ engineers will begin to work on putting together a plan and will have something in place no later than July once they have all the information from 406 and Tim’s records. Shane Chauvet gave the Mayor a letter stating that they can terminate the agreement
New Pool report: Nothing new.
KLJ: Gary Johnson reported that we need to pay the bills first, then ask for reimbursement from DNRC. There is an invoice from DEQ that needs to be paid, as well as some from KLJ. Jon Sheehy moved to pay those bills pending more information on the reimbursement process. Krystyl Kulbeck seconded and the motion passed.
Luke LaLiberty told the council about two grants that they found. One is Safe Streets and Roads and there are both planning and construction grants available with 20% match. The other is a grant to create wildlife crossings, which wouldn’t be a good match for the town.
Bear Paw Development: No one from Bear Paw was in attendance
New Business
Firemen’s Interlocal agreement: This will continue to be an agenda item while we work out the details with the fire department. Currently they are looking for their own insurance coverage as the town can only insure them while inside city limits and cannot insure the building as we don’t own it. Part of the reworked agreement will include reimbursement for insurance costs.
School Interlocal: Jon Sheehy moved to approve having the Mayor sign the agreement, Krystyl Kulbeck seconded and the motion passed.
Bobcat Trade in/RRGL funds: Jon Sheehy moved to approve using the leftover $7,500.00 toward the cost of the new Bobcat. Krystyl Kulbeck seconded; motion passed.
Railroad Crossing: Krystyl Kulbeck moved that the Mayor begin the process of having BN remove the crossing signs. Jon Sheehy seconded and the motion passed.
Old Business
Community Decay: Rich Jespersen was unable to attend and give an update.
Committee Reports: Unified Disposal contacted the Mayor saying Big Sandy doesn’t currently have anyone on the board. The Clerk and Danielle Weaver both reported that they had contacted Unified but not heard anything back.
Mayor: None
Public Works: Tim was in touch with someone who had a screen and loader for rent at a price of $3,000.00 per week.
Clerk: The shut off list was distributed electronically. She also reported that WIPFLI (auditor) was not willing to renew a contract for the town. She is sending out an RFP for audit services.
The correspondence was distributed.
Claims: Krystyl Kulbeck moved to approve the claims. Danielle Weaver seconded; motion passed.
General Journal Voucher: Krystyl Kulbeck moved to accept JV 2023-09. Danielle Weaver seconded; motion passed.
Any Business to be brought before the Council: the next meeting date is set for May 11.
Krystyl Kulbeck moved to adjourn. Danielle Weaver seconded and the motion passed.
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