Slayton City Council met on October 18, 2021. The agenda was approved with one addition. Minutes were approved with one correction. All claims were discussed and approved. The Mold Report for the City Hall building was back and the test results were good. Staff will be able to return on October 19.
Next the Council discussed the possibility of buying out Xcel Energy. This was brought up at the previous Council meeting and is in the preliminary stages. So far, they know that they DO have the statutory authority to do this. They would need a ratifying vote from the citizenry and will need to negotiate a cost with Xcel. Some of the Councilmembers have begun researching this by talking with others from neighboring cities on the processes they’ve taken. After today’s discussion, it was decided that City Administrator Josh Malchow will contact a Financial Consultant to gather specific information for the City of Slayton to get actual costs for the infrastructure needed.
Next on the agenda was a request from Police Secretary Jackie Jurrens that her vacation accrual be tied to her salary schedule lane, as was done for new hire Lee Meinders recently. After some discussion, it was voted to approve this request with back pay to Jurrens’ start date. The Council then approved a new policy, stating that from this day forward, as new people are hired, their vacation accrual will be tied to their start lane on the salary schedule.
City Works Director, Weston Mahon was present to request adding a new position of Street Foreman to the Public Works Dept. This position would add more responsibilities, duties and higher pay without additional licensures. This will be posted internally first and then presented to the AFSCME (the City’s collective bargaining unit for Public Works). Mahon believes there will be plenty of interest internally. He does not expect to be adding a staff position.
The Council next approved the amended agreement for the Airport Apron Reconstruction and the Sealcoat at the airport.
Finally, they approved the purchase of a Game Time-Rox-All See Saw for Gullord Park. This is a disability friendly ADA approved piece of playground equipment. Steve Laible and the Murray County Foundation, along with other service organizations such as Women of Today, the Daycare Association and Kiwanis have begun a second fundraising effort to purchase this See Saw. Prices are scheduled to go up soon, which is why the purchase is being made before all funds have been collected. MCF has applied and been approved for $1000 from the Nobles Electric Round-up program to also purchase an ADA swing seat for Gullord Park.
The Council then moved into closed session to discuss a Real Estate Negotiation. The next meeting of the Slayton City Council will be Nov. 1, 2021.
