05/08/1978 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 1 1 107 May 8, 1978 Mayor Karth read a letter from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture making it against the law to transport diseased elm trees with the bark on through any City. This letter is to be given to Chief Myhre. Mr. Schneider asked for the figures used in computing the analysis of purchasing the vot- ing macha'nes. The City spent approximately $1,000.00 per year for Election Judges salaries when State and Federal elections were held. With the use of the votamatic machines, there will be no Election Judges needed for counting, thus cutting the salaries by approximately 50 %. The total costs for 10 machines, 2 demonstrators, and a transfer case is $1,896.00. The County is purchasing and the City will remit $379.20 per year for five years. There is no interest on the unpaid balance. By the end of five years the savings in salaries should pay for the machines. A phone poll had been taken on the purchase of these machines and all members had voted for the purchase. Mr. McLean moved to ratify this vote. Seconded by Mr. Kulaszewicz. Motion declared passed. Mr. Schneider asked about the letter from Mr. Burman on the use of CETA personnel for the cleaning of the County ditches - can the City utilize some of this labor? Mayor Karth said he had forwarded the letter to Mr. Volk. There had been some suggestion of using these men to clear the new Pal land along 7th Avenue. However, Mr. Locher said the abstract is not back yet so the City does not have title to the land. This clearing will have to wait. Mr. McLean also suggested some basic plan be developed before any work is done in that location. Mr. Schneider reported that the analysis of the water and sewer rates had been done and the report should be available soon. He said that the annual visit from the Auditor had not been arranged for as yet due to the lateness of the audit. From the schedule as it now stands, he will probably be at a Council meeting in July. Mr. Schneider briefly reported on the status of the financial report. He asked if there were questions from the Council members. Mr. Schneider said the year end projection is up approximately $20,000.00 and this needs to be analyzied. Mr. McLean said this report is easy to understand and he felt he had a better understanding of the City's finances. Mr. Zelinka had presented his Park Board report at the last Council meeting. Mayor Karth explained the P A system that is being used this evening. It is a Heathkit and comes in a kit form that Mr. Zelinka will assemble. Only one mike is being used this evening, how- ever, there are connections for six mikes on the system. The cost of the 'kit and 2 speaker columns is $499.95. Mr. McLean asked if this was in the budget and Mr. Schneider said, not as such, but there are funds in capital improvement and equipment purchases that can be used for this purpose. There is also a $275.00 miscellaneous fund that can be used for this purchase. Mr. McLean moved to approve the purchase of the Heathkit system for $499.95. Seconded by Mr. Kulaszewicz. Motion declared passed. Mayor Karth said he had asked Mr. Zastrow, the man who had built the Council table, for an estimate on the cost of cutting the table in half and inserting either a 4' or 5' section in the center. Mr. Zastrow is checking on matching the top and will then present a cost analysis. Mr. Mobley had presented Mr. McLean with a requisition for an additional phone and a dest to be used by either the Assessor or himself. Mr. McLean felt that a decision as to where this is to be used should be made before purchasing the desk or ordering the installation of another phone. He also felt that the matter of the building inspector woriUggon a fee