SHERBURN — The Sherburn City Council met on Monday evening. The Administrator reported that there were quite a few requests for information about the sewer calculations and how they were established since some of the bills were higher than previous bills. The council discussed the issue commenting that the water usage is not necessarily sewer water but some may be watering lawns and plants. The city clerk and council realized that some things are not fair and that not everyone would be able to be pleased. Adjustments have to be done each month and take time for the office. Some of the discrepancy may be from averaging the last quarter of the month. The Administrator will look into reviewing the averages and report at the next meeting.

A lengthy discussion about the liquor store and Red Carpet point of sale software was held. The Engage Company is the software used now as a trial period for credit card sales, ordering, and everything. The council and staff at the store/restaurant were not pleased with some of the contract points. Engage would like a 5 year contract. The credit card usage fee of 3.99 percent is taken out of the profits before they are deposited in the liquor store bank account. This could result in a larger credit card usage fee or technology cost to the customer or something called an order processing fee. The council had many questions and ultimately removed that point of sales software and instructed the Administrator to find the answers to their questions from other credit card processing software companies.

In the Administrator’s report three accounts for wastewater maintenance were mentioned for

$5,000. The lot where Foxy’s building was demolished may need some gravel. The council approved that. It may be used for overflow parking for the liquor store this summer. The flower pots usually on Main Street will be housed in the park this summer due to the Hwy. 4 Project going through Sherburn this summer. The council asked the Administrator to get quotes for seal coating, patching and crack filling on new streets.

In other news:

— The council approved the gambling request from the Sherburn Lions Club for money from the gambling fund.

— The council approved accepting a donation of $50 from Gordon Salisbury Jr. and a donation from the Crissinger family of a 32 inch TV and Roku for the television to be put in the senior center.

— The Police report from Chief Yochim included a report that a semi had hit a tree on Main Street and city employees had cleared it as it was a hazard. The part-time officer will continue training and may be ready for solo duty in May.

— The Police Commission met on April 16 at Welcome City Hall. Council members reported that someone had been burning leaves on a windy day which is also against city ordinances. The council mentioned that $46,000 was earmarked for health and safety for Sherburn and that some of it may be used for a fire truck lease and some for a safety item he may know of.

— The assistant clerk reported that the reconciling was partially done and the others are being worked on. The council asked about audit reports and reviews and interviews for the Red Carpet Manager applicants.

— The Administrator and fire department will look into leasing agreements for the new fire truck. The council will ask the personnel committee to discuss a request for less hours on Friday from the staff.

The next meeting of the Sherburn City Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. on May 6 at the Sherburn City Hall.