Rothsay City Council approves routine expenditures, updates personnel policy and sets follow-ups

Rothsay, Minn. — The Rothsay City Council on April 6 approved multiple routine expenditures and administrative steps, including a $3,000 donation to the RPS Summer REC program and updates to the city personnel policy to be posted and published.

Mayor Shane Balken called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Council Members Heather Weber, Daryl Schleeter, Nathan Ziegler and Matthew Balken attended. City Clerk/Treasurer Amanda Kuschel and several community members were also present.

The council approved its agenda and consent agenda, which covered March minutes, accounts receivable/payable, EDA minutes and reports, and Rothsay Fire Department and employee reports. Council Member Nathan Ziegler moved approval of the consent agenda; Heather Weber seconded and the motion carried.

Votes at a glance

- RPS Summer REC Program donation: Approved $3,000 (motion by Nathan Ziegler; seconded by Daryl Schleeter). The minutes record the motion as "carried." The minutes do not specify individual vote tallies.

- Dust control contract: Approved $1,500 (motion by Nathan Ziegler; seconded by Matthew Balken). Recorded as carried; vote tally not specified in the minutes.

- FRA/Fire Department bylaws: Approved (motion by Daryl Schleeter; seconded by Nathan Ziegler). Recorded as carried; minutes do not include vote counts.

- EDA duplex blanket expenses: Approved (motion by Matthew Balken; seconded by Daryl Schleeter). Carried; vote tally not specified.

- EDA registry mortgage tax payment: Approved $734.10 (motion by Nathan Ziegler; seconded by Matthew Balken). Carried; vote counts not recorded.

- Fire department hose testing: Approved $3,000 (motion by Nathan Ziegler; seconded by Daryl Schleeter). Carried.

- Cold patch and gravel purchases: Approved $5,000 each for cold patch and gravel (motions by Nathan Ziegler; seconded by Daryl Schleeter). Carried.

- REC tables and chairs: Approved up to $5,000 (motion by Nathan Ziegler; seconded by Daryl Schleeter). Carried.

- Personnel policy (2.05B) ordinance updates: Approved for posting and publication (motion by Matthew Balken; seconded by Nathan Ziegler). Carried.

For several agenda items the minutes record only that a motion to approve was made and that it "carried"; the minutes do not provide the exact motion text in all cases nor individual roll-call vote tallies.

Other council actions and directions

- Service body for F-350: Council asked staff to check different options and return recommendations at a future meeting rather than approving a purchase on April 6.

- REC facilities: Council agreed to budget a REC door system in 2027; members discussed selling the existing hood vent system to fund ovens for the community room and directed Matthew Balken and Kellie Barry to research options for REC tables, chairs and ovens.

- Otter Tail Lakes Country: Tasha Rohlfs presented on Otter Tail Lakes Country. The council asked staff to bring a possible partnership to the August meeting for consideration in 2027 planning.

- East Park/Larry Ohe Memorial: Council expressed a preference to make the memorial more visible on the west side of the park rather than near the pony pull area.

- Yard clean-up enforcement: Council directed staff to send letters to residents and to contact the Wilkin County Sheriff’s Department where appropriate.

- Meeting schedule: Council voted to move its regular meeting to the second Monday of each month to better align financial disbursements and receipts with reporting; motion carried.

- Community projects and staffing: The Oscar Trondhjem 4H Club was approved for a community service project to build planters; the council also authorized posting a summer help job (must be 16 or older, valid driver’s license required, 20–25 hours per week at $15.00 per hour).

The meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m. The minutes were transcribed by Amanda Kuschel, City Clerk/Treasurer.