SHERBURN– On Monday the Sherburn City Council heard a presentation from three engineers with Bolton and Menk about projects needed in the city. Greg Mitchell, Shannon Sweeny and Kelly Yahnke talked to the council about the Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements pending, and street improvements on Osborne St., Temperance Lake Road, Lynn Street, Venn Street and South Main Street. Kelly Yahnke explained the three bids received for the Wastewater Treatment building and the council approved accepting a lower bid from Rice Lake Construction Group of $7,113,800. Yahnke explained that the bid was higher than the $6,000,000 expected by the council because of higher prices for the materials like copper and electrical supplies. The trio discussed bond procedure, grants and other financial plans that will now be made. The Osborne Street improvements will include storm sewer, water mains, and sanitary sewer and is part of the State Aid process.

Discussion about street width and uses of the street will need to be discussed and approved and bids will be opened in January or February 2022. Mitchell explained the four other streets would need grading and reshaping of shoulders so that the shoulders are not higher than the street but not sewer or water main construction. South Main Street, Venn Street, and Lynn Street are in the city, whereas Temperance Lake Road is only half-owned by the city. Putting the projects together may attract a construction company since it would be a bigger job.

Assessments were also discussed. Sweeny explained the grants that may be used and interest percentages on bonds of 2 plus percent to 1 plus percent as of now. The council thanked the men for their informative presentation and information.

In other business, the City Administrator was given permission to send a congratulatory letter to Vivian Oulman Schember in California for her 100th birthday celebration. This was requested by her daughter. She was born in Sherburn in 1921. The council also accepted the bid from Beemer for the Highway 4 water main repair. They discussed loaning money from the Capitol funds to the water funds. A question was asked about the dirty looking water tower. The council explained that condensation from the warmer fall and dirt collected but it will be washed away.

A City employee reminded the council that leaf pickup will be the last week of October.

The next meeting of the Sherburn City Council will be 5 p.m. on Nov. 1 at Sherburn City Hall.