SHERBURN — During the Sherburn City Council meeting on Monday, Engineer Travis Winter presented the Bolton & Menk contract and answered questions, stating that it was a general contract given to other cities. The council approved the contract of $96 per hour for the first 12 hours and other charges as they occur.

Winter also explained the proposal of using liners for the Main Street to 5th Street project to repair deteriorating collection system infrastructure. He explained the need for the project and showed the council many pictures of the system. These same liners have been installed on other streets in the city. They should last a long time. They are not like replacing the pipes, but that is not a project that could be done now. They are strong and should work. He will get plans lined up and specs and hopes to get the project going in March or for sure by summer. The cost would be $580,000, but there are financial programs and grants available. The city would have a $43,000 cost.

The council tabled any action for right now and asked Winter to bring plans and specs to the next meeting.

The council asked the clerk to notify the financial company Drown and Associates representative, Shannon Sweeny, whom they have consulted before about projects and grants.

The clerk’s report included a League of Minnesota Cities meeting on Jan. 8 in St. James. She is working on pay equity reports and Water Treatment Plant reports. The building that houses the theatre is owned by the city, similar to the library. The clerk is working with the theatre on that, the year reports and auditor contacts. She explained the software that can help residents. The residents using the Portal for information were mentioned and the city could save over $8 per residence just in postage if the residents would use the portal for payments and notifications.

Council reports asked about a private party owning the Liquor Store instead of the City and maybe that should be investigated.

The question of how to replace the Mayor who resigned was discussed. The State does not make Sherburn re-elect a mayor with a special election since the term was only two years. A person could be appointed, but not a sitting council member.

The Temperance Lake Ridge situation will be investigated and the city attorney suggested the council seek another management company besides Embark.

During public comment, one resident asked why the 5th Street road was not plowed following the November and December snowstorms. There were complaints about two to three vehicles being stuck on the street near Casey’s. They realize the town was under snow emergency, but some essential workers need to get to work and the Highway 4 Main Street was cleared but not the residential streets, especially the very busy 5th Street, which many commute on. The clerk explained that the public works are trying very hard to keep roadways plowed.

The second resident wanted to know about the Embark management company at the Temperance Lake Ridge facility. They listed some complaints from current and former staff, clients and client families. The clerk and the council explained that the public comment section will only listen and that if the residents would like more information about how to make a change and get the council’s help, they should ask to be on the regular council agenda for the next meeting by filling out the forms and giving them to the clerk. The council can review the documentation and discuss the problems at the next meeting as part of the agenda.

In other news:

— The council agreed to submit a letter explaining that they would like to make payments for the Sherburn Fire Department as they have done in the past, with an annual payment instead of monthly.

— Jay Nieson represented the Waste Management company for waste pick up for Sherburn and submitted a contract. The fee will increase a little and was $125 per truck. The Council approved the contract.

— Chief of Police Trevor Yochim reported and reminded the Council that there will be a retirement event for Officer Sergeant Gina Jorgensen from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, at the City Hall.

— The council approved the fee schedule submitted by the clerk. The information was also presented at prior meetings. The council also approved the authorized signers at the bank and the mayoral appointments for council members to EDA and other committees.

— The council approved the designated legal firm as Birkholz and associates, the newspaper as Martin County Star, the insurance agent at Mike Ringnell, the realtor as Charity Ringnell, the depository as Bank Midwest, the auditor as Burkhardt and Burkhardt; and the engineer as Bolton & Menk.

— The council moved the next meeting to Jan. 20 since the date for the meeting fell on a holiday (Jan. 19 is Martin Luther King Day).

The Sherburn City Council’s next meeting will be at 5 p.m. on Jan. 20 at City Hall.