SLAYTON CITY COUNCIL DISCUSS POLICE OFFICER RECRUITMENT, SOLAR PROJECTS AROUND CITY AND POSSIBLE STATE FUNDING FOR OPERATION PRAIRIE VENTURES AND 34TH STREET PROJECT
The regular meeting of Slayton City Council was held on April 1, 2024.
The meeting opened with pledge, attendance was takenall present, agenda approved with no additions, minutes from March 18, 2024 and claims approved. There were no notices.
Mayor Miron Carney and City Administrator Josh Malchow went to the Capital on March 20 and met with quite a few people. The Coalitions message was bonding, bonding, bonding. This was great, the same as our message. They were able to get at least 3 co-authors for the Operation Prairie Venture Assisted Living Bill, both Democrat and Republican.
The Legislature is just getting to local government projects. Since we had a bonding tour visit, we should have a good chance to get a hearing in the House and Senate. The big question is how much cash can we get, since we are a non-profit. The 34th Street project was also on the bonding tour. The Governor is preaching pretty hard on roads and bridges, water and sewer. The Legislature is thinking more Assisted Living. It is in our favor that, in the big picture, 34th St. is a smaller project.
Miron and Josh are planning to go back April 15th for more meetings with legislators. It was approved to move the next meeting, April 15 to 7:00pm to accommodate Miron and Josh’s drive time.
Weston Mahon presented the plan for the new play feature pump at the pool. After discussion, purchasing a new Aurora brand feature pump was approved.
Javier Ramirez has resigned from the Police Department due to personal obligations. Thank you to Javier for his time with us. The Council approved to begin exploring options to find someone new, including contacting Minnesota West about possibilities.
Request from Jackie Giesen to attend yearly training at the Minnesota Association of Property and Evidence Technicians Conference – approved.
The bid award for the 28th St. sidewalk was approved, accepting low bid of $287,210 from Towne and Country Excavating,
They also approved attendance for Josh Malchow and up to 2 others at the League of Minnesota Cities 2024 Annual Conference to be held in June, as well as the renewal of a Gambling Permit to Currie Town and Country for the Slayton Country Club.
Next, the council received an informational CUP packet on the proposed Burmeister Solar Development from Mr. Evan Carlson from EESolar 28, LLC. Some question exists on whose territory that is, as far as utility companies for that property. There has been much discussion with Nobles Coop Electric and Xcel. This is an ongoing situation. A web call is set up for April 15, with a public hearing set for April 18th. The Council moved to formally oppose this development on the same grounds that they opposed the Lundblad option. They see no need to have solar developments on all of the edges of Slayton, that could prohibit future development of the city, either commercially or residentially. Motion approved.
The next meeting will be held April 15, at 7:00.
