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Comfrey City Council approves event permits, joint-powers access and hears drainage study
Summary
At its June 10 meeting, the City Council of Comfrey approved routine financial items, several event and permit requests, adopted a Joint Powers resolution with the BCA, heard a drainage feasibility study and held a first reading of a Diseased Tree Ordinance.
The City Council of Comfrey met June 10, 2025, at the Comfrey Community Center and approved routine financial business, multiple event permits and a joint-powers resolution that gives the city attorney limited access to Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) systems.
Mayor Richter presided over the meeting, during which the council approved the May 13 minutes and $55,673.84 in bills. Council members also adopted a resolution accepting $673 in memorial donations from the Joyce Platz Family for first responders and $70 in anonymous donations to the library.
Fire Chief S. Berberich told the council the department applied for a State Farm grant of up to $10,000 to buy new radios and pagers. Berberich also reported the shop addition project has had concrete poured and walls are expected to begin next week; he said there has been vandalism at South Park and he will consult the sheriff’s office about options. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) completed a scheduled inspection at the city’s treatment plant, the minutes state.
Owen Todd and Roberta Cronquist presented the Citywide Drainage Improvements Feasibility Study, which examined pipe sizes, county ditches, identified ponding locations and proposed eight project phases with current cost estimates; council members were told staff will pursue grant funding to help cover project costs.
During public comment a resident raised concerns about tire marks around town and asked about options for dealing with a potentially hazardous private building. Attorney Paul Muske advised the city would need to hire a building inspector to determine whether the building is hazardous and noted the city would be responsible for associated costs; the sheriff’s department will send blight letters to property owners.
The council adopted a Joint Powers resolution enabling the city attorney to access certain BCA systems and tools for court-record submissions. The council also approved Comfrey Bar & Grill’s request for an outdoor band on July 11 (fenced area, additional security, music to end by midnight) and allowed the business to serve alcohol in South Park for the Community Days Car Show on July 12. A gambling permit for St. Paul’s Catholic Church’s October 26 raffle was approved. A donation request from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation was tabled pending further information from the foundation’s new director.
The council held a first reading of a draft Diseased Tree Ordinance (details not specified in the minutes) and the zoning committee issued land-use permits to Dennis and Mary Ann Schumacher (deck) and to Kory and Christa Simon (garden shed). The meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Minutes approved (motion: Arnsdorf; second: Redman) — carried unanimously. Bills approved ($55,673.84) (motion: Kastner; second: Redman) — carried unanimously. Memorial/library donations resolution (motion: Redman; second: Evers) — carried unanimously. May financial report approved (motion: Redman; second: Arnsdorf) — carried unanimously. BCA Joint Powers resolution (motion: Evers; second: Arnsdorf) — carried unanimously. Comfrey Bar & Grill outdoor band (motion: Arnsdorf; second: Redman) — carried unanimously. Alcohol service for Community Days (motion: Kastner; second: Redman) — carried unanimously. Gambling permit for St. Paul’s (motion: Kastner; second: Redman) — carried unanimously. Donation request from SMIF — tabled. Diseased Tree Ordinance — first reading.
