SHERBURN — At the Sherburn City Council meeting on Monday, a presentation was given about the ownership of the Cemetery and the Cemetery Association bylaws and meetings, and paying for keeping the cemetery clean.

Several residents at the meeting agreed that something is not correct with the association’s actions. The association was reorganized about 1994, but its actions do not reflect that. The residents reported that 30 hours over five days were volunteered to clean some stones. They offered to have a cemetery manager collect money and keep records of plots and more. The council discussed the cemetery, and Clerk Andrea Ballard explained that the checkbook and plot records were located at City Hall and that they had just recently become available to them. They asked for more time to investigate the box of records and determine which could be made public under the HIPAA law. The residents and the council agreed that there should be more communication.

The auditor did a mid-year audit. The statement said the city’s finances were in better shape than at the same time last year. The water and liquor store cash balances were in the negative and the wastewater was in the positive. The statement said that the water and wastewater were in the negative and the liquor store was in the positive now. The auditor suggested transferring amounts to cover the negative cash balance, to avoid an overdraft, from the water and wastewater investments available. The council approved the transfers and mentioned that the budget discussion will discuss the possible water rate increase. This audit covered June, July and August 2025.

The negative balance was partly from replacing the ‘muffin head monster’ in the wastewater plant and the well head protection costs. The Building Official Contract with Randy King of ProCare was discussed. Some recommendations from the City Attorney were discussed: add monthly updates; make it a 12-month contract; certificate of insurance presented; notify city of any Data Breach within 24 to 48 hours; change the county to Martin County; in the no conflict clause, list examples of conflict; and require prior approval for mileage and other charges. The council approved including these recommendations in the contract and approving the contract if the changes were approved by the ProCare company.

The Economic Development Authority (EDA) election was discussed, and some protocol was not followed, but the approval for Ean Sinn to be the EDA’s new member was passed with a three-two vote. The deadline had been reached, but a new application was approved. One application was withdrawn. Ballard explained that the EDA board did not bring up the other name and there was an opening that needed to be filled.

A public comment asked about building a garage across the alley from his house. The county approved the project, but the city has an ordinance against building sheds, etc. and no home. The property was labeled commercial because an old cafe used to be there. It is labeled commercial at the city, and was one reason Ballard did not know that the building could be built there. The council discussed it and asked Ballard to check with county offices and determine if it is commercial or residential.

The next meeting of the Sherburn City Council is 5 p.m. on Nov. 3 at City Hall.