Franklin City Council holds first meeting of 2020

By Denise Bonsack, Publisher

The Franklin City Council met for their regular meeting on Monday, January 13, 2020. 

After the minutes and the consent agenda were approved, the group discussed the official designations and annual appointments for the new year. 

In the department head reports, City Clerk/ Treasurer Wendy Pederson presented the 2019 Ambulance Report. Council approved the transfer of $768.88 to the ambulance savings account. The Ambulance Association report showed a cash balance of $94.710.27, and the Rural Fire Association report which indicated the rural and city’s halves of the expenses at $15,462.76 each. Council approved the reports. Corey Gruendemann submitted his resignation from the Fire Department. Joehnck reported that the fire department is waiting on a FEMA grant and the ambulance department has two radios that need repairs. Pederson also reported that there is an HRA/EDA meeting scheduled regarding the LOIS system and noted that the community center needs some shelving. 

Council approved Pederson attending the MCFOA Conference in March and MAOSC in February in Washington DC. They also approved inserting Census 2020 flyers in the March utility bills and scheduled the Board of Review meeting for April 7 at 1:00 pm. 

Kevin Kokesch reported that one residence in town is impacted by the grader piling snow in front of their only access door. After some discussion, the council decided it would be more cost-effective to scoop out the doorway with the pay loader, than to change the path of the grader. Council approved Kokesch to attend the MRWA Technical Conference in March. 

The estimate to install a fire hydrant and improvements to Second Avenue West is around $257,873. A request from J. Harmoning for costs to bring water and sewer to his parcel were estimated at $100,122. Pederson will research assessment costs and procedures.

In Unfinished Business, the council had a discussion on the tax forfeited parcel. The city hasn’t received the deed yet. Council members are to tour the property before any decisions are made. USDA has obligated $50,000 for a utility work machine and the city’s obligation is $22,470. The city has $27,000 budgeted for street equipment. Council approved the bid from United Farmer’s Cooperative for a Bobcat 5600 plus attachments, totaling $72,470.72. The city will purchase the grapple bucket on its own.  

Moving on to New Business, the Clobes Sanitation contract for garbage hauling for years 2020-2023 was approved. The SCADA computer system that automates the water and wastewater systems was repaired, but it was determined the system needs replacement, at an estimated cost of $32,821. Council approved proceeding with the replacement using  reserved funds.

MJ Mechanical has been servicing the daycare and community center furnaces and boilers. An estimated maintenance contract cost for the city is $700 per year. The warranty information and a current estimate will be acquired.

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 10.