Lismore council tightens purchase rules after emergency pump buy, adopts fee increase and hires volunteer firefighter

Lismore — The Lismore City Council on July 8 adopted a new spending restriction after an emergency pump was purchased during late-June flood response, approved two resolutions including an amended fee schedule tied to a regional water-rate increase, granted one-day beer permits for two community events and approved the hiring of a volunteer firefighter.

Council members present were Mayor Wayne Bents and councilors Kris Weidert, Cliff Altman and Kathryn Weber; Amber Bertrand is the city clerk.

The spending rule followed discussion in which Josh, who presented the maintenance report, said the city’s pump broke during flood response, rental pumps were insufficient and none were available, and a replacement pump was purchased so the city would have emergency capacity on hand. Justin, referenced in the meeting as the person in charge of water/wastewater, had advised that a spare pump should always be available. Council members expressed frustration that the pump was bought before a majority vote. In response the council adopted a motion prohibiting purchases of $100 or more without prior council approval (motion by Kris Weidert; seconded by Cliff Altman). The motion carried; the transcript does not record individual vote tallies.

Council also voted that Josh does not require an overseer and that only Amber (clerk), Josh (maintenance), Justin (water/wastewater) and Tom will be paid for City work unless the council authorizes additional hires for projects or emergencies. The maintenance report and related actions (including notification to the State of an emergency pond discharge) were approved.

Fire Department business and personnel matters were also on the agenda. Jim presented the department report and the council decided not to renew the I Am Responding subscription for the year, citing underuse and reliability problems. The council approved hiring Trent Kor as a volunteer firefighter (motion by Cliff Altman; seconded by Kris Weidert). Members said Lismore will again participate in the Adrian Rib and Rims parade on July 19, and three members are enrolled in Basic EMR training; the clerk submitted the training reimbursement paperwork to MBFTE.

On administrative and regulatory matters the council approved Resolution 24.7.1 authorizing charitable gambling for St. Anthony Church and Resolution 24.7.2 amending the city fee schedule to raise water rates to match Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water’s July 1, 2024 increase. The council also approved one-day alcohol permits for the Lismore Fire Relief Association and St. Anthony Church; Clerk Amber Bertrand will file the state permit forms.

Other items: Josh reported park basketball hoops are on hand and a keypad entry was added to the back door; the council left replacement timing to Josh. He also reported that the brush pile was burned down and that staff will pursue a leased UTV in the 2025 budget. Cliff reported that the county will replace a damaged Main Street sidewalk because the road is a county route. Land-sale paperwork remains pending while deeds are completed. The meeting adjourned; the next council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Motion: approve agenda — passed (mover: Cliff Altman; second: Kris Weidert). Vote tally not specified. - Motion: approve June 10 minutes — passed (mover: Kris Weidert; second: Kathryn Weber). Vote tally not specified. - Motion: approve financial statement, pay invoices and transfers — passed (mover: Cliff Altman; second: Kris Weidert). Vote tally not specified. - Motion: prohibit purchases $100+ without council approval — passed (mover: Kris Weidert; second: Cliff Altman). Vote tally not specified. - Motion: authorize Josh does not require an overseer and limit pay to Amber, Josh, Justin, Tom unless council approves otherwise — passed (mover: Cliff Altman; second: Kris Weidert). Vote tally not specified. - Resolution 24.7.1 (authorize charitable gambling for St. Anthony Church) — passed. Vote tally not specified. - Resolution 24.7.2 (amended fee schedule; water rate increase to match Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water) — passed. Vote tally not specified. - Motion: hire volunteer firefighter Trent Kor — passed (mover: Cliff Altman; second: Kris Weidert). Vote tally not specified.

The council recorded several operational follow-ups (state notified of emergency pond discharge; clerk to file beer-permit forms; clerk awaiting deeds for a land-sale parcel). Where the transcript did not record specific vote counts or last names for some first-name speakers, the article states those details as "not specified."