Bellechester City Council Meeting Minutes
March 20, 2024 @ 6:00PM
Regular City Council Meeting was called to order by Mayor Jody Gordon at 6:07 p.m.
Pledge to the flag.
Roll call was taken: The council in attendance: Mayor Jody Gordon, Council people, Mark Gerken, Jered Buxengard as well as City Clerk Lisa Redepenning, Treasurer Kyle McKeown and Engineer Matt Mohs. Councilmember Kyle Blattner and Rich Majerus was absent. Also present was Nick Keller, Trenton Carlson, Jeremy Mancelman and Lucais McGovern were also present..
Minutes of February 21, 2024 regular meeting minutes were reviewed and motion was made by Mark Gerken with a second by Jered Buxengard to approve the minutes. Motion carried.
Bills were reviewed and a motion by Jered Buxengard with a second by Mark Gerken to approve and pay the bills as presented. Motion carried.
Old Business:
• Sewer Lining Project – update progress – City Engineer indicated post bid contractor paperwork was submitted to them and they are working with them. Meeting today to discuss temporary financing and getting next round in place. We will have a pre-construction meeting next to kick off the project. We need to report monthly on the progress of this project. Payment process was discussed.
New business:
• Water Meter Project – Set a Bid Date and Authorize Bidding. We have been approved to move forward for this project. Bid Wed, April 17th @ 10:00. Motion was made by Jered Buxengard with a 2nd by Mark Gerken to approve setting the bid date and authorizing bidding for our water meter project. Motion carried.
• Building Permit – Garage/Driveway Nick Keller. Council had a few clarifying questions. Needing more information, the garage building permit was tabled. Motion was made by Jered Buxengard with a 2nd by Mark Gerken to approve the driveway access permit as presented. Motion carried.
• Summer mowing – We have an interested party in mowing.
• Auto Cross Vehicle Noise – Discussion on addressing current vehicle noise within city limits. Current ordinance was shared regarding to what is not allowed within city limits.
• Transfer of Funds. Motion was made by Mark Gerken with a 2nd by Jered Buxengard to authorize the transfer of funds from our interim financing fund to replenish the expenses paid for by current funds for sewer lining project. Motion carried.
Engineer Report – Lead service line
Clerk Report – Reimbursement from Xcel – we did receive a check for the costs of publishing the franchise notice in the paper. Credit on Xcel Invoice for February – FYI the bill for March will have a $429.94 credit on it. It is the difference between the rate we paid under the interim rates and the final approved rates plus interest. Transfer of Funds - we have $21,736.21 of Sewer Project spending that have come out of General/Sewer funds. Quarterly Billing - will go out this month. AutoCross Vehicle Noise – Our current ordinance #13 covers this: SECTION 6. Exhibition Driving Prohibited - No person shall turn, accelerate, decelerate, or otherwise operate a vehicle, motor vehicle, motorcycle or snowmobile within the City in a manner which causes unnecessary engine noise or backfire, squealing tires, skidding, sliding, swaying, throwing sand or gravel, or in a manner simulating a race. Unreasonable squealing or screeching sounds emitted by tires, or throwing sand or gravel is prima facie evidence of a violation of this Section. I will have this in the quarterly billing that will go out this month.
Treasurer Report – Past due list was distributed.
Water/Wastewater/Facility Report – Quarterly samplings are done. We will not need to discharge pond at this time.
Mayor Concerns: Letter was sent on unlicensed and dangerous dog in town.
Council Concerns: Clerk noted that the current laptop is displaying hard drive errors. Council directed to purchase new laptop. Last purchase was 2017.
Adjourn
Motion was made by Kyle Blattner with a second by Jered Buxengard to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:20. Motion carried.
Submitted by Lisa Redepenning – City Clerk
