SHERBURN– Sherburn City Council met Monday evening and public comments and questions began with some questions about the minutes of the meetings not being in the Martin County Star newspaper. The new deputy clerk will try to remember to send them to that newspaper. The demolishing of some homes was discussed by a resident and she asked what the council had planned for development of the lots. The council reminded her that the EDA owned the lots and the plan was for townhouses if possible that would be affordable.

Delinquent water bills was also discussed. The council remarked that the water bill is added to the taxes for that property. The water bill is delinquent if not paid 30 days after the bill is sent. During the Covid pandemic the fees for the delinquent water bills was not charged but that has since been re-instated. Some residents were upset that the list of delinquent water bills was leaked to the public. There was a suggestion that Sherburn should have a pamphlet to give anyone building or moving or renting in Sherburn that explained the charges for installing and re-installing and cutting off service and paying water bills etc. The deputy clerk will look into such a resource.

A question about the search for a City Administrator was asked. The council reported that they must wait for a clean audit which they have not yet received since they have started with a new company. The council and the deputy clerk are working together to get all the city hall work done until an administrator can be hired.

The council accepted the one sealed bid given for the carport and shed, discussed at a previous meeting, at $975. The deputy clerk asked that the cemetery custodian and the temporary assistant deputy clerk be approved as helping in city hall when needed. Irene Schlaphoff will continue as assistant deputy clerk to help catch up on paperwork and work with the new accounting system changes. The council approved the request.

A request for the park benches to have an additional back rest part to fill in the gap there was asked. The city employee reported that he had talked to the Lions Club about tables and attaching them to a pad. He will talk to them about the benches or perhaps ask the Boy Scouts if that would be a good project for them.

The council was reminded of a MnDOT open house about the Highway 4 project scheduled from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 11, at the community hall. This is open to the public. The Highway 4 project is scheduled for 2024 for now according to MnDOT.

The city employee asked for more gravel to help build up the alleys that will have to be used when the street project begins and the council approved.

The police commissioners will meet Monday, Aug. 8 to consider the four applicants for the position of Chief of Police for the Welcome/Sherburn Police Department. Officer Jorgensen reported that all the police officers are doubling up and doing overtime to fill in as needed.

The next meeting of the Sherburn City Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Aug. 15 at Sherburn City Hall.