Learn about contract with Watonwan County Sheriff’s Office; discussion at November meeting
The Butterfield City Council opened up six sealed bids at their Tuesday, October 14 regular monthly meeting, the bidders vying for the right to farm the 72 acres of farm ground adjacent to Voss Park. Placing bids were Steve Ringen ($175 per acre), Tim Wolle ($170 per acre), Dan Pauly ($225 per acre), Mark Hanson/Roddy Hanson ($172 per acre), Jim Harrington ($240 per acre) and Blane Braaten ($200 per acre).
Both Harrington and Ringen opted to raise their initial bids, with Harrington eventually awarded the opportunity to farm the ground (from November 1, 2014 to October 31, 2017)with a $300 per acre bid.
Watonwan County Sheriff Gary Menssen attends meeting
Watonwan County Sheriff Gary Menssen attended the meeting to explain to council members that the current contract the city has with the sheriff’s office for law enforcement coverage initially began with a grant from the State of Minnesota. The council made no decision at the meeting whether or not to remain under contract with the sheriff’s office. A more in-depth discussion will be held at the council’s regular November meeting.
In other business
* Gave Andy Fisch the go ahead to move a building into town – as long as he obeyed setback laws and received the okay from the city’s building official.
* Heard a request from the property owner at 125 5th Street North to change the No Parking signs on the parcel to No Parking During School Hours signs. Council Members Jim Warwick and Nick Mathistad will investigate options in getting different signs.
* Heard an inquiry from Council Member Doug Meyer as to what should be done about the city’s old grocery store. Meyers has concerns about the safety of the building and the health and safety of the community. Butterfield City Clerk Leslie Heffele was directed to get the opinion of the city’s building official about the building’s condition and what should be done to remediate the situation.
* Heard another query from Meyer, this one about the revenue that is obtained from the Voss Park Campground and where it goes. Council Member Howard Madson explained that a portion of the revenue goes to help fund the annual Butterfield Threshing Bee as well as to maintain the campground itself, including its water and sewer connections. Madson additionally informed the council that the Butterfield Threshermen’s Association is currently working on the design for new bathroom facilities for Voss Park. Plans are to build the new building in the spring.
* Agreed to brainstorm ideas for what could be placed on the old water tower site (i.e. storage units).
* Heard the maintenance report from Maintenance Manager Brandon Winch. Winch informed the council that his department had pigged the lines at the ponds. In addition, he shared that all parts have been ordered to repair the leaking fire hydrant at the corner of Hubbard Avenue and 2nd Street North. Winch explained to council members that work is still being done on cleaning out catch basins and checking manholes. He closed his report by sharing that there are only about 10-13 water meters left to upgrade and that he hopes to have them completed within the next month.
* Approved the financials and bill payments.
