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Council approves repair, equipment purchases and clerk counteroffer; utility billing dispute receives discussion but no action
Summary
Council approved a $3,592 repair for Engine 2, authorized a sensor replacement not to exceed $2,000, approved several public-works expenditures (tree cutting $1,600, street sweeping $1,000, sod rake $11,900), accepted a clerk applicant counteroffer, and discussed a resident's billing dispute without taking action.
The Harris City Council took several operational actions at its March 9 meeting, including repairs and equipment purchases, while a resident’s utility billing dispute was discussed but not resolved.
Council approved a $3,592 repair to Fire Department Engine 2 after council members were told a discharge valve and discharge line froze and cracked when the vehicle was parked outside during funeral services. Council members expressed concern that the damage may have been preventable; the motion to approve payment was made by Council Member Garret Pearson and seconded by Council Member Chell Borash.
The council also approved replacement of a submersible level transmitter/level sensor recommended by PeopleService. The proposal discussed was $1,632, with additional wiring and commissioning costs possible; council approved the work in an amount not to exceed $2,000 (motion by Al Siedow, seconded by Garret Pearson).
Public Works requested and received approval for four additional days of contracted tree cutting at $400 per day (total $1,600) to complete road-related work. The council approved a $1,000 contract for street sweeping with Rush City (noting Rush City’s hourly rate was $20 less than the prior contractor) and approved purchase of a sod rake from Riggs for Less for $11,900 after comparing three quotes (Olsen Power $17,000, Arnolds $14,500, Riggs for Less $11,900).
On personnel matters, the council accepted Tanya Smolke’s counteroffer for the City Clerk position, which included a 30-day probationary period, 80 hours of paid time off, and a proposed start date of March 23, 2026, with council clarifying that the City’s standard review process would still apply; the motion to accept the counteroffer was made by Al Siedow and seconded by Garret Pearson.
Resident Matthew Gehrke raised a utility billing reconciliation dispute, arguing the City had underbilled his household for several years because of a clerical error or estimation practice and that a back-billing attempt after installation of a new meter had been sent to a title company during a home sale before the matter was resolved. Council and staff discussed meter replacement efforts, the use of estimated billing, the homeowner’s objections to meter types and the need for consistent practices, but no motion or formal action was taken on the matter.
The treasurer asked the council to approve a $1,500 purchase order for Alex Air to service the fire hall air fill station; the council approved the PO. The meeting concluded with routine mayor and council reports and adjournment at 9:34 p.m.
Most items approved at the meeting were routine operational expenditures or personnel actions; the utility-billing dispute remains unresolved and may return for follow-up.
