Lester Prairie
City Council Minutes
March 14, 2023
The Lester Prairie City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Mayor Mike called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Mayor Mike opened a public hearing at 7:00 pm regarding a minor subdivision lot split. Clerk Lundin informed the City Council that no additional input was received, either in writing or verbally. There was no discussion.
Motion: Tritabaugh; Second: Krause; Carried-Unanimously; To adjourn the Public Hearing. Mayor Mike closed the public hearing at 7:02 p.m.
Motion – Tritabaugh; Second – Thiry; Carried – Unanimously; To accept and approve the February Minutes as submitted.
Motion – Tritabaugh; Second – Dhoore; Carried – Unanimously; To accept and approve the February Workshop Minutes as submitted.
Motion – Krause; Second – Tritabaugh; Carried – Unanimously; To accept and approve the February Treasurer as submitted.
Motion – Tritabaugh; Second – Thiry; Carried – Unanimously; To accept the Parttime Wage Scale from David Drown & Associates per each position wage highlighted with the exception of the current Police Patrol; they will be on Step 6 for all three officers. All parttime employees will receive retro pay back to January 1, 2023.
Mayor Mike opened a public hearing at 7:13 pm regarding adding Body Worn Camera Policy to the LP Police Department Policy & Procedures Manual. Clerk Lundin informed the City Council that no additional input was received, either in writing or verbally. Discussion took place.
Motion: Thiry; Second: Krause; Carried-Unanimously; To adjourn the Public Hearing. Mayor Mike closed the public hearing at 7:16 p.m.
Motion – Tritabaugh; To enter into a five (5) year contract with PeopleServices. The foregoing motion was duly seconded by Councilman Krause; and following discussion thereon, a vote was taken. Voting for the motion: Krause, Mayor Mike, Tritabaugh. Voting against the motion: Dhoore, Thiry. Abstained from vote: None. Mayor Mike declared motion passed by majority vote this 14th day of March, 2023.
Kim Schult from Baker Tilly presented the 2022 Audit Report. Financial statements and a handout was provided. The financial metrics for the City are all strong. The general fund cash balance continues to increase as a % of disbursements and is strong compared to industry benchmarks. Cash fund balance for other governmental funds is up over 2021. The debt service to non-capital disbursements is under 20%, which is good (in line with recommendations). The water and sewer utilities are generating sufficient cash flow, above minimum recommendations.
She informed the Council there will be no adjusting entries and nothing was found that would indicate the City is out of legal compliance. She thanked the staff for a smooth audit and complimented them on the relationship with her team and responding in a timely manner.
Motion – Dhoore; Second – Thiry; Carried – Unanimously; To accept and approve the 2022 Audit report as prepared and presented.
Councilman Tritabaugh introduced the following resolution and moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION 10-23 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A MINOR SUBDIVISION LOT SPLIT REQUEST
The foregoing motion was duly seconded by Councilman Thiry and following discussion thereon, a vote was taken. Voting for the motion: Tritabaugh, Krause, Mayor Mike, Dhoore, Thiry . Voting against the motion: None. Abstained from vote: None. Mayor Mike declared Resolution 10-23 passed by unanimous vote this 14th day of March, 2023.
Councilman Dhoore introduced the following resolution and moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 11-23 A RESOLUTION ADDING BODY WORN CAMERA POLICY, SPECIFICIALLY CHAPTER 6A, TO THE LESTER PRAIRIE POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY & PROCEDURES MANUAL. The foregoing motion was duly seconded by Councilman Krause; and following discussion thereon, a vote was taken. Voting for the motion: Tritabaugh, Krause, Mayor Mike, Thiry, Dhoore. Voting against the motion: None. Abstained from vote: None.
Mayor Mike declared Resolution No. 11-23 adopted by unanimous vote this 14th day of March 2023.
Motion – Thiry; Second – Dhoore; Carried – Unanimously; To approve the purchase of a new squad camera for $3,995.00.
Motion – Thiry; Second – Tritabaugh; Carried – Unanimously. To issue a sanitation waiver for a resident on Third Avenue; as they will be gone on vacation for two months.
Motion – Dhoore; To leave the current snow removal windrow plan in place. The foregoing motion was duly seconded by Councilman Thiry; and following discussion thereon, a vote was taken. Voting for the motion: Krause, Dhoore, Thiry. Voting against the motion: Tritabaugh, Mayor Mike. Abstained from vote: None. Mayor Mike declared motion passed by majority vote this 14th day of March, 2023.
Motion – Tritabaugh; Second – Thiry; Carried – Unanimously; To advertise for additional Seasonal Lawnmowing/Maintenance and lifeguards.
Motion – Tritabaugh; Second – Krause; Carried – Unanimously; To change the Personnel Handbook to state: if an employee is on FMLA the City would cover their percentage of health, dental, vision benefits and the employee would cover their percentage. Beyond the FMLA period; the employee would 100% responsible.
Motion – Dhoore; Second – Tritabaugh; To approve Freedom Fest 2023 to have their events in the Park; which would include Donkey Ball.
Following discussion thereon, a vote was taken.
Voting for the motion: Tritabaugh, Mayor Mike, Dhoore, Thiry. Voting against the motion: None. Abstained from vote: Krause. Motion – Tritabaugh; Second – Thiry; Carried – Unanimously; To pay the 2023 claims.
Motion – Krause; Second – Thiry; Carried – Unanimously; To adjourn the meeting. Mayor Mike adjourned the meeting at 8:25 pm.
Doris Lundin
City Clerk-Treasurer
The above is a summary version of the March 14, 2023, Lester Prairie City Council minutes. The Minutes may be viewed in their entirety at the City Clerk’s Office during normal business hours.
Published in the Herald Journal, March 24, 2023. |