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SHERBURN -- The Sherburn City Council met on Monday and Ryan Ravallette from the Cornerstone management company gave a virtual report concerning Temperance Lake Ridge.
He answered questions from the last council meeting, including what is causing the shortfall at TLR. He reported that the shortfall was now only $4,000 over budget and the revenue was up $48,000. Although not what it should be, it is a lot better than the report at the beginning of the year. The large shortfall of $275,000 was mostly from lower occupancy. He said the expenses have been cut and August had the lowest expenses. Ninety-seven thousand dollars of the large shortfall was due to hiring temporary labor from April to May. After May, the temporary labor was not used.
Additionally, strong leadership was a concern and it has been strong lately. He reported that there is a system used where a resident or family may be shown what they are charged for and the amount they are charged. He said he thought continuity was a key and asked for no more leadership shuffles.
The council asked questions and discussed the answers given. Later the council approved keeping the Cornerstone Management company for the year 2027, with a contingency that the company may be asked to stop, with a three to one vote and one abstain. The council voiced the concern that another upheaval in management would be a cause for turmoil for the residents and staff. The council did not approve the proposed RSP and instructed the clerk to report to Cornerstone that they should give reports more frequently like monthly and they should report if there is a lower occupancy or very low revenue etc right away.
Any unusual concerns should be reported to the council and the committee. The committee includes two council members, the executive director, the head of nursing and one other. Three of the five were working at the facility. The council and committee should survey the residents and families periodically. The clerk was instructed to let the other three companies know that Cornerstone was approved but that their proposals would be kept on file.
The meeting continued with a Sherburn Fire Department update from Mike Ringnell, who said that they continue to look for a hire although they are near the full list, 25 individuals. Some of the firefighters have not met the one year eligibility level. On Nov. 6 there will be a Turkey Bingo fundraiser and proceeds will go to upgrading equipment. There has been a container put by the fire station in which they will do live burning training for Sherburn and nearby towns. The back up generator they got from the wastewater plant has not been installed or hooked up although an electrical company has been asked for two years. They asked that the city find an electrical company to hook it up.
Chief Ringnell also reported on the need for a new ambulance. There is a Lifeline Company that makes the ambulances they use and they would like to get their name on the list so that in two years the chassis would be done and then the ambulance could be built for the next 14 weeks. It does not cost anything to be on the list but when the chassis is ready it will need to be bought. The department has $180,000 earmarked for the new ambulance and plans on fundraisers and grant applications for the cost. Ringnell reported that the company said there were 25 departments on the list ahead of them. They transport for Ceylon, Dunnell and Trimont also and have 350 calls a year. The current ambulance has 100,000 miles on it and it is a 2016 model There are two other ambulances they use. In 2006 and 1996, they repaired one for over $20,000 and it has been used quite a bit. The oldest ambulance goes to the racetrack and some other events but is still licensed. The ambulance is on a 10 year plan for city equipment to be replaced. The council approved the listing and thanked the fire department for their service to the community and area.
The council moved on to discussion of the Sherburn Theatre and Clerk Andrea Ballard said that a contract for six months would be signed. Movies may begin in November after the school play. A movie sponsored by the FFA and a family was shown last weekend.
Chief of Police Trevor Yochim mentioned a request for a sign that says 30 miles per hour on Cargill Avenue and possibly a sign that says watch for children. The council approved the signs and asked him to see if the public works had some signs.
The clerk and council reports followed with a report that the pocket park was sold and will close this week. The playground grants were submitted. There was an issue with cement and the bathroom in the community hall. She requested a work session be scheduled for general levy and building concerns.
The council then went into closed session.
The council will next meet at 5 p.m. on Oct. 19, at Sherburn City Hall.