SHERBURN — The Sherburn City Council met on Monday evening. The building inspector, Harry Jenness, reported to the council as it asked. He listed properties that were abandoned or dilapidated in the city.

He reported that he sent several letters explaining and asking that owners contact him in 10 days or the 30 days before court action would be taken. He has only two replies and some replied that the property should be demolished. He said demolition is expensive and there are grants available in some cases but not very many. The properties can go back to the county in a tax forfeiture sale. The city could buy the property and demolish the buildings and this would take some time and money but seems like the best alternative. Most of the properties on the list are not inhabited.

Representative Bjorn Olson addressed the council and after he began the council asked about the properties in question. He suggested applying for grants for improvement or demolition and then providing housing for low-income residents. He also suggested that the cost of buying properties from the tax forfeiture sale and paying demolition costs would be high but it would get properties cleaned up and be income in the end when they could be sold and housing made. The council asked that he favor the local cities deciding the zoning and water and sewer rates issues when brought up in the legislature.

Jon Schafer addressed the council with questions about what he needed to do to make the old Methodist Church property into a recovery house for men. He has been an influence for jailed men who need consistent control and a Bible-orientated environment to help their recovery. The council asked that a more detailed plan of action be made and counseled him that neighbors had to be contacted the zone be changed to residential with a conditional permit and there should be a public hearing. The council agreed that it is a wonderful idea but he needs to do more planning and investigation. There were some questions about who would be housed there and how much repair and remodeling needed to be done. It suggested he contact the Shepherd’s Inn and Healing Heart House owners and find out what they needed to do to be ready for recovery residents.

In the clerk’s report, the new assistant clerk, Sean Devenn, was introduced. The clerk asked about a software program from Planet Software for capital improvement reports. This would help the city plan the replacement of equipment based on the budget. The council has voiced concern about keeping this plan for equipment current in the past. The clerk will show the council a demonstration of the things this software could do to help with the capital improvement. The cost of $2,500 would be added to the office supply budget if approved. The city attorney fee of around $7000 for this year was discussed. Last year it was less but if the city has court dates for abandoned properties it may be more this coming year. The clerk also reported that the audit report will be given soon.

In other news:

— The meeting continued with canvassing the election returns of 594 votes. Two elected candidates were at the meeting. The clerk will certify the results and send them to the county.

— The utility rates increase was approved at 5 percent for both water and sewer. The increase will be seen in the February bill for the utility use in January. The Council explained that after analyzing the utility funds the financial advisor, Shannon Sweeny, suggested the rates will now add operating cost to the loan repayment cost as it should have been before.

— The council approved the Fire Billing Ordinance which was read at previous meetings. This includes billing and mutual aid agreements.

— Chief of Police, Trevor Yochim, reported the October report and reported that the AED training along with the Red Carpet staff was very helpful. He also reported on the negotiations with the union and the Police Commission meeting. He explained the Shop with a Cop program and reported that they helped 15 children last year and hope to help more this year. He has added the Welcome Fire Fighters and Trimont Fire Fighters so that enough volunteers are ready to help. The money for the program comes from individuals and businesses.

He read the apology letter from the juvenile who did vandalism in July and August costing around $100,000 to the city hall and other businesses.

— The Clerk, Andrea Ballard, reported that the Red Carpet inventory is underway.

— The ordinance about no parking on streets from Nov. 15 to April was discussed. The public works employee explained that to plow the snow they need the space. The ordinance goes into effect when two or more inches of snow have fallen. The clerk will tell residents about the ordinance and will also ask if anyone wants the emergency text sent to them. Residents should sign up at the City Hall for that text.

The Council went into a Closed Session for a budget session. The next meeting of the Sherburn Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Dec. 2 at City Hall.