Skyline Cooperative reports bench program, delinquent dues; clerk announces resignation and hall fee proposal

Janet Nelson representing the Skyline Cooperative told the council the cooperative held its biannual meeting Nov. 11, is awaiting city approval of a welcome packet, plans to buy a shared sign board for announcing meetings and events, and reported seven homes with delinquent cooperative dues. The minutes record that Kristi Powers resigned as cooperative treasurer and that Janet Nelson will serve as acting treasurer until the position is filled. Nelson also described interest in adding benches to parks via a program that yields one free bench per year after collecting 1,000 pounds of eligible plastic; she said two volunteers offered to run the program and that she has further details.

Separately, the city clerk’s report noted a new website banner asking residents not to feed deer because of overpopulation and chronic wasting disease, and the clerk announced a resignation effective Dec. 31, 2024; the clerk position will be publicly advertised. Mayor Paige Attarian proposed raising the hall rental fee to $100 plus a $100 deposit for non-residents and $60 plus a $100 deposit for residents, with deposits required at reservation and deposits to be cashed if cancellations occur less than two weeks before the event. The minutes record the proposal but do not show a formal vote on the hall fees.

As a related administrative note, Treasurer Lon Whitehead asked that payroll and council checks be prepared before his travel at the end of November and delivered to the mayor for distribution at the December meeting. The minutes also direct staff (Marnie) to mail past-due utility notices and to turn accounts more than 90 days overdue to Blue Earth County on Dec. 2, 2024.