Rolfe council okays $81,759.76 payment for tree removals and instructs attorney after closed session

The Rolfe City Council entered closed session at 5:51 p.m. on May 11 to discuss litigation strategy and reopened at 6:35 p.m.; after the closed session the council voted to instruct the city attorney to act as discussed. The closed-session justification in the record was “to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation.”

After returning to open session the council discussed an invoice from Schwebach Tree Service for removal of Ash trees. Per the city attorney, the city would pay the contracted amount of $76,634.32 plus $5,125.44 for additional trees removed at the city's request, for a total of $81,759.76. Council approved the payment (Stewart/Cox, recorded as all ayes on the payment motion). The minutes attribute counsel's advice to City Attorney Yung.

Also during the meeting the council approved a motion, recorded in the minutes as Shimon/Cox, to "keep the water salesman closed this summer," which passed 3–2; the transcript provides no further context or clarification for that phrase. Council requested quotes for the FY26 annual exam and approved a requirement that a licensed concrete contractor be hired for pool-deck work; Stewart was recorded as the lone nay on the contractor approval.

The council adjourned at 7:05 p.m.