The Slayton City Council met in regular session on Nov. 4, 2024. With all members present except Blake Heronimus, the council approved the agenda with additions, as well as the minutes from the last meeting and the claims and cash balance reports. Under Notices and Communications, all were reminded that Tuesday, Nov. 5th is Election Day and the council will have the City Canvassing Board meeting on Thursday, Nov. 7th at 7:30am at City Hall. City Administrator Josh Malchow will be attending the Coalition Fall Conference Thursday and Friday in Alexandria, MN. Councilman Heronimus and Malchow will be going to Minneapolis on Nov. 12 to meet with Fredericks and Byron offices to talk face to face in regard to the Electric Utility response.
The council went on to adopt the resolution for the Maple Avenue Final Assessment. If it is paid by Dec. 3, 2024, there is no interest. The Public Hearing for this was opened at this time. There were no comments. Resolution passed.
Airport Fuel System Amendment was next. Dockendorf Equipment Co. Inc. was approved at a previous meeting for the project. The Grant Amendment was for any ad-ditional expenses for the construction part of the original grant. The increased amount falls within the MnDoT guideline requirements that allow up to 15% of the original amount to be changed. The motion was made and approved.
Next on the agenda was to discuss increasing Fire Department Officer Pay for 2024, which has not changed for quite some time. The goal is to make the Slayton Department Officer Pay more equitable in comparison to area departments. A motion was made and approved to make the requested increases for the Chief and two Assistants.
The council next accepted the resignation of longtime employee, Bill Ellefson effective Jan. 10, 2025. They all agreed that his wealth of knowledge will be sadly missed and wish him well. They next approved the job posting for a Public Works Generalist position.
Finally, the council brainstormed how best to move forward with their Facilities Planning Sessions. They will begin this at the next regular council meeting, Nov. 18, 2024, the first four areas to be looked at are Public Works, City Hall, Police Department and Fire Department. They will discuss what’s been done in the last 5 years, what kinds of maintenance needs there are currently and what the future needs of Slayton’s facilities will be.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
