Durand City Council adopts new stormwater utility rates

In a regular meeting held January 14, the Durand City Council adopted a resolution to authorize new stormwater utility rates.
The consent agenda, including minutes from the December 30 regular meeting, ambulance write-offs for the month of December totaling $1,347.47, bartender licenses for Ryan T. Gilbertson and Kerrie J. Diepenbrock for Cobblestone Inn & Suites, and a picnic license for American Legion Post 181 at 203 W. Main Street for the Bean Bag Tournament on February 28, was approved.
A public hearing for Ordinance #520 was held. The ordinance establishes new stormwater utility rates and charges for the Durand Municipal Stormwater Utility System. No public comment was offered.
Mayor Patrick Milliren reported he was contacted by a group who looks into the preservation of the Chippewa River. In April, a group will be walking the length of the Chippewa, and they will pass through Durand on a Friday night.
Milliren also reported the Council received a thank-you from the family of Jenna Winter-O’Donahue.
Administrator Josh Eggleston reported he received a letter from a resident regarding the Council’s consideration of a variance to the dog ordinance, and the citizen urged the Council to deny the request.
The Council approved Eggleston to attend the Ehlers Wisconsin Public Finance Seminar February 12-13 in Wisconsin Dells.
The Council also approved Eggleston to attend the Wisconsin City/County Management Association’s Winter Conference March 4-6.
Ordinance #520 was approved 5-0, 1 absent.
Eggleston presented Resolution 15-01, a resolution authorizing the advancement of funds from the general fund to the stormwater utility fund and setting the terms of repayment of such funds. Eggleston reported the City currently has two CDs that expire in May that will cover cash flow, one will be used to cover the loan. The Council approved 5-0, 1 absent.
The Council denied an exception for the number of dogs allowed per Ordinance #512 by K. Clifton.
Police Chief Stan Ridgeway reported he assisted with a search warrant last Friday. Pepin County Sheriff Deputy Rud received information of drug activity which prompted the search. Ridgeway said everything went well and everyone was safe. Traffic was shut down on 11th Avenue for a short time.
Ridgeway also reported Officer Sam Miller was promoted to full time, and the Department currently has two part-time openings.
Ridgeway reported there is a good possibility that he will be able to get the River Falls Fire Department’s fire safety house for the next Durand Safe Day.
Ridgeway said he, along with officers Miller and Matchey, will be attending an upcoming training.
Ridgeway said Miller’s first full-time shift was Sunday. He started with the Department in July 2013.
City Superintendent Ed Sabelko reported they are monitoring frost depth, and some spots are getting close. He said the majority of people do not have to worry.
Sabelko reported all snow removal equipment on the plow was totaled. The frame is being checked, and the front might be tweaked by the front axel. He said it should be able to get fixed, and will be back on the road in four to six weeks. The City has a $1,000 insurance deductible.
Sabelko reported generator #3 was lifted on the pad and is getting set. He said gas lines are slowly but surely getting hooked up.
The Council approved two City workers to attend the WRWA Annual Conference March 24-27. Sabelko said this is probably the best conference they can go to for wastewater information. Sabelko and Steve Gilbertson will attend.
The Council approved the purchase of a new street sweeper from McQueen Equipment with the trade-in of the old sweeper 5-0, 1 absent.
The next regular meeting will be held January 28.