Comfrey council certifies election, approves wastewater pump purchase and hires contractor for maintenance building

The Comfrey City Council met Nov. 12 at the Comfrey Community Center and took a series of routine actions before adjourning at 7:29 p.m. Mayor Gary Richter presided and the council certified the Nov. 5 election results after reviewing the county abstract of votes.

The council adopted a resolution certifying the election (motion by Councilor Arnsdorf; second by Councilor Evers). The minutes record 217 total votes cast across Brown and Cottonwood counties; Gary Richter received 190 votes for mayor, and Council seats were won by candidates receiving 162 and 173 votes, respectively.

The council approved payment of $66,896.89 in bills (motion by Councilor Kastner; second by Councilor Redman) and accepted several memorial and community donations to the fire department and first responders, including gifts from the Coreen Keenum family, the David Schiller family, Christensen Farms and Comfrey Area Pride (motion by Councilor Arnsdorf; second by Councilor Kastner).

Fire Chief Berberich told the council a wastewater-treatment recirculation pump installed in 2011 had failed after about 92,000 hours of continuous operation. The council approved purchasing a replacement pump at a cost of $8,682, to be paid from the city’s restricted account or, if needed, from capital equipment (motion by Councilor Redman; second by Councilor Evers). Berberich said Minnesota Rural Water will assist the city in locating a separate water leak; if that effort does not locate the leak, the city may shut down portions of town briefly or hire Water Conservation Services to investigate further.

On a separate capital project, the council reviewed two bids for a 40-by-50-foot frame-and-steel maintenance-building addition with a concrete floor. Eric Hall LLC submitted a bid of $65,097.15 and Thomas Suess Construction LLC bid $68,947.15. The council approved hiring Eric Hall LLC for $65,097.15 with funds from capital equipment; the work is scheduled for spring 2025 (motion by Councilor Kastner; second by Councilor Arnsdorf).

Other business included an announcement from Berberich about a Nov. 23 bingo fundraiser for the fire department and first responders and a staff review of whether minors may be permitted to serve on the first-responder roster; First Responder Captain Jill Veerkamp said she is evaluating options and Clerk Kelly said she has contacted the League of Minnesota Cities for guidance. The council also noted interest from a private security company and from the City of Lamberton in purchasing the police vehicle; Mayor Richter will contact Lamberton to confirm interest, and Councilor Kastner will reach out to Dan Kastner about removing the "Comfrey" lettering on the squad.

Bolton & Menk reported the city did not receive enough income-survey responses to qualify for a street-project grant; the consulting firm said it would pursue other funding options. The Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) grant closed out with $17,022.55 of unused funds returned; Comfrey completed 11 projects under that program.

The council approved the snow-removal contract with Heiderscheidt Digging for the upcoming season at rates of $130 per hour for trucks and $200 per hour for the backhoe (motion by Councilor Redman; second by Councilor Kastner). The council also changed its January meeting date to Jan. 7, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. (motion by Councilor Kastner; second by Councilor Evers). The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m. on a motion by Councilor Arnsdorf with a second from Councilor Redman.

Votes at a glance: - Election certification (resolution): motion Arnsdorf; second Evers; carried unanimously. - Approval of Oct. 8 minutes: motion Arnsdorf; second Evers; carried unanimously. - Payment of bills ($66,896.89): motion Kastner; second Redman; carried unanimously. - Acceptance of donations to fire department/first responders: motion Arnsdorf; second Kastner; carried unanimously. - Approval of October financial report: motion Redman; second Kastner; carried unanimously. - Purchase of wastewater pump ($8,682): motion Redman; second Evers; carried unanimously. - Contract award — Eric Hall LLC for maintenance addition ($65,097.15): motion Kastner; second Arnsdorf; carried unanimously. - Snow removal contract (Heiderscheidt Digging): motion Redman; second Kastner; carried unanimously. - Move Jan. meeting to Jan. 7, 2025: motion Kastner; second Evers; carried unanimously.

Next steps: staff will notify residents if temporary shutoffs are needed to locate the water leak; Bolton & Menk will pursue alternate funding for the street project. No public hearing or contested votes were recorded at the meeting.