Pursuant to due call and notice a regular meeting of the Deerwood City Council was held on Monday,
April 16th, 2012 at 6:00 pm. The following members were present: Mike Aulie, Pat Trask, and Debby
Leonard. Tom Nixon arrived late. Jessica Richau was absent. Mayor Aulie presided at the meeting
following the Pledge of Allegiance. Leonard made the motion to accept the minutes as stated. Trask
seconded the motion. Motion carried. The revised invoice list on the table totaled $31,555.80. Leonard
made the motion to approve the updated claims list. Trask seconded the motion. There were a couple
of questions. Motion carried.
Amendments to the Agenda: Aulie added a discussion on CID Recycling to new business. With the
council’s permission he moved Fred Fox forward on the agenda to right after public comment.
There was no one present for public comment.
Fred Fox –Accessory Structure Location: He explained that the building inspector came out and told him
that he had to move his garage. They did some measuring and determined that if he moved it up the
hill, there was enough room to put it in there lengthwise. It would come out just about two feet in front
of the trailer. Trask asked where the property was located. It was explained that it is at the corner of
Alder and Broadway. Aulie clarified that Maschler indicated that she doesn’t see any problems with this
solution. Leonard made the motion to follow the recommendation of staff regarding moving Fox’s
temporary garage. Trask seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Engineer’s Report – Phil Martin
 He gave each of the council members a copy of the packet that he provided to the SLSSD Board
concerning payment of the bill for their portion of the water project. He attended their last
meeting. The board did reconsider the bill. They agreed to pay an additional $722. He detailed
how they arrived at that number. They don’t feel that they received that much benefit from this
project. Martin said he should have been more directly involved with the district board during
the course of the project. Aulie said that he didn’t understand them balking at the charges. He
disagrees with their assessment. Leonard said that she feels that they are causing a lot of bad
will with the City of Deerwood. What goes around comes around. It won’t be easy to get
cooperation from the City in the future.
 Water Meter Radio Read Grant – He has not heard back from Jordan Vandal regarding the City’s
original grant application.
 Final Assessment Roll for the Grinder Station Project – He has received some information from
the City Clerk and he will be preparing that for them.
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Maintenance Department Report – Patrick Radtke
 Lawn Mower Purchase – He has brought Simon along from AAA. They handle the Exmark
mowers. Radtke and Nelson tested John Deere, Cub Cadet, and Exmark mowers. The Exmark is
what we currently own. His recommendation is that we purchase the 2012 Exmark for 9705.75.
That price includes the mulching kit. Simon explained that it comes with a three year unlimited
hour warranty. He said Exmark is a good company to work with as far as warranties are
concerned. They have had good luck with getting mechanical failures covered on machines that
are 5 or 6 years old. There was some discussion on what the trade in value might be if we
traded in all three mowers. . Radtke said the numbers he received were approximately the
same with all three companies. They would only be valued at $4300 or less. Simon said that
trade-in value would be between $3500 to $4000. He would only be able to take all three
mowers as trade in on a two mower purchase. With the purchase of one mower he could only
take one.
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There was then discussion on financing options. Simon said that GE Finance currently is offering
0% interest for 36 months. They do offer a lease program. He feels that we would take a
soaking on this. There is a minimum lease amount of $15,000. Trask said that she feels that we
should purchase it outright. Leonard felt the same. Leonard made the motion to allow Patrick
to order the 2012 Exmark Laser Z X-Series for $9705.75. Nixon seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
Playground –Radtke said that he has not been able to get in touch with Richau. He was going to
ask her to be on a committee. Nelson is willing to serve on that committee as well as Radtke.
Aulie said that he spoke with Michelle LeMieur and asked if she would be able to help us in an
advisory capacity since she was so active in the renovation of the Crosby playground. She said
she would be happy to be a resource. Aulie also said that he spoke with the fire department last
week concerning this issue. They are open to the City using their money as a springboard for
this project. Radtke said that he did have a company come out and take a look at the
playground to see what they would do for us. Some of the companies will do a design for us.
First of all, we need to decide what we want. Nixon asked for clarification as to whether we are
looking at a rehab or replacement. Radtke said we are looking at replacement. They are talking
about taking out the border and pea rock and starting from scratch. Radtke provided an
example of what type of equipment they would use as a centerpiece. Nixon asked if the old
stuff is beyond repair. Radtke replied that it is out of compliance due to age. Aulie said that the
first thing we need to do is get the committee going. Nixon suggested that they break the
project down into sections when it comes to asking for funding. An example would be that
someone would pay for an individual piece and be recognized for that. Aulie then asked Radtke
if he would be willing to chair that committee. Radtke said that he would. Aulie also stated that
the fire department wants some say in the project.
Crack Sealing – Radtke obtained three bids. Bargen’s bid came in really high at $8655.
Anderson Brothers came in at $5237.92. He also had them give him a bid on patching
throughout the City as well as the reclamation of bituminous and placement of Class V on the
old section of Broadway. Brad Holmvig also submitted a bid in the amount of $4566. He was
the low bid. Nixon clarified that it would be the same process and materials used by all of the
contractors. Radtke has $28,000 in the street budget for repairs. If he were to do all of the
patching, crack sealing, and reclamation on Broadway that would use up all of those funds. The
actual bid for patching is $18,342. There was much discussion on the work on Broadway. Nixon
brought up the fact that he feels that we need to have a meeting to discuss capital improvement
projects for the next five, ten, fifteen years. He doesn’t have a clear idea of where we are
heading. The discussion on Broadway continued. Radtke suggested that maybe everyone
should walk the road and it could then be put on the agenda for the next meeting. The council
agreed. Martin said that this is a rehab/rebuild road. It is not a layover road. Radtke said that
he would recommend that we have Anderson Brothers do the patching and crack sealing this
year. Trask made the motion to allow Patrick to work with Anderson Brothers on the patching
and crack sealing project and that we table the Broadway Street issue until our next meeting on
May 7th. Leonard seconded the motion. Motion carried with Nixon voting nay.
Sidewalks – Radtke has not heard from the State yet.
Radtke then showed a picture of the ponding that is taking place at the intersection of Alder and
Serpent. Nixon asked how the new roadway is holding up. Radtke said other than a couple of
spots it is doing just fine.
SLSSD Report – Tom Nixon:
 Nixon said that he was not in attendance but he has spoken with a couple of members. Their
financial statements were presented. He understands that they are operating in the black.
There has been talk that they may be able to decrease rates again.
Aulie suggested that they look into why there is no logo on the pickup truck owned by the
District. He also asked if they are monitoring the hours of their operator. He thinks there is a
tremendous case for abuse there. He is concerned that there is a possibility that employees are
billing the District for time spent in other communities. This needs to be addressed.
They are currently taking a look at right of way owned by the District. Aulie clarified that he
would like to see a budget.
New Business:
 K & J C-Stores – letter concerning in-house charges:
There were various options discussed about how to handle this. The council did not like the idea
of individuals having credit cards to be used at Holiday. It would also create issues with
accounting as to what departments should be charged for the expense. Leonard said that Taylor
should be involved in this discussion. There was talk about doing business elsewhere. However,
diesel is needed for the backhoe and the bobcat. The fire trucks also need it. Nixon said that
maybe the department heads should get together and bring a solution back to the council.
Leonard suggested that the clerk just call Jane and speak to her about that.
 CID Recycling – Ironton’s clerk has provided us with a report about the number and weights for
each recycling pull broken down by City. There has been some discussion of billing City’s if they
have pulls that are below a set weight. There was further discussion.
Nixon made the motion to adjourn. Leonard seconded the motion. Motion carried.