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SHERBURN -- The Sherburn City Council held its meeting on Monday evening. Several residents were at the meeting in support of the need for daycare in Sherburn. In the last month, two daycares have closed, leaving the remaining two daycares in Sherburn and one is ready to retire.
According to the county licensor, there are no daycare license applications for western Martin County. An in-home daycare can only have one infant at a time. The residents reported several pregnant neighbors or Sherburn residents that they knew and supposed there were more in the city and nearby area. Some parents must drive long miles to a daycare. There are teachers at MCW that will need a daycare and some people have had to look elsewhere.
The average price for a week of daycare can be from $135 to $300, with different prices for school age, toddlers and infants. There are three licensed daycares in Trimont and three in Welcome, but most are full. Some licenses are being curtailed due to federal programs being eliminated.
Suggestions were for committees with community representatives, school representatives and church representatives to discuss daycares. Perhaps a survey to find out what is needed and what would be wanted. The Schmeekle Foundation and EDA were mentioned as a resource.
Cornerstone Management Services reported their January to July progress at Temperance Lake Ridge. Ryan Ravallette, Chief Operating Officer, and Briana Grunewald, Executive Director since May, presented their report, with illustrations of the progress made, especially in the last six months.
The residents are using the online portal Sunbound more each month. The payments and reports are easier to do with this resource. The staff has been strengthened and trusts the management. Thirty-four new staff have been hired, with twelve of them leaving. As of the date, one position is open. The occupancy is 95 percent with 53 of 56 units occupied, and that should generate stronger revenue.
The facility has made meaningful progress toward long-term financial stability with operating revenue at more than $2,105,000 compared to the budget of more than $1,480,000. Ravallette explained that most of that shortfall was from an operational challenge when eight staff members took Minnesota’s Earned Sick and Safe Time leave between March and May.
Part of the revenue gap is also the decline in occupancy in late 2025. All the residents have been re-assessed and a new system is used now. Measuring the satisfaction of residents and staff will be done in a different manner with the SAVANT program. In August, a survey is planned for staff and residents. They also have a Virtual Nurse program to help the staff, especially the night staff, with after-hours questions.
The meeting continued with Council Member Sarah Kramer mentioning a concern about the wording of the permit to reserve the park pavilion and shelter. The council will look into the matter. When reserving the park, a $100 refundable fee is asked and if all equipment is back in the correct place and the park is picked up, the fee is refunded. The city will check the park before the event and after to determine damage, etc. She mentioned that the bathrooms need some work.
In other news, the council:
-- Approved an on-sale license for the Sherburn Legion.
-- Approved the transfer of funds from the General Fund to the Temperance Lake Ridge bond payment.
-- Approved the sealed bid of $500 for the elephant slide former park equipment.
-- Went into closed session to discuss the recommendations of the Personnel Committee about the part-time Administrative Assistant position.
-- Heard from Kramer, who reported on a contract she was given that the St. James Theatre, which is owned by the city, has.
-- City Clerk Andrea Ballard reported that the city water had a small fire since a contractor failed to shut off a valve. The contractor will pay the expenses to put out the fire and replace the part.
-- The 2027 budget is in the works and the clerk has met with several departments from the city. The Council approved a budget work session for Aug. 31.
The Sherburn City Council will meet at 5 p.m. on Aug. 17 at City Hall.