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At Monday's meeting, the Nicollet City Council approved the bid from River City Electric Company of Mankato for installation of a Pedestrian Crosswalk Flasher System (RRFB) at the intersection of Highway 111 and 6th Street.
The bid for $32,451.72 includes the installation of a pedestrian crosswalk flasher system and reconstruction of a couple of concrete pedestrian ramps. The completion date for the project is Nov. 15, 2024.
Twelves trees will be added to Nicollet's walking path. Mayor Fred Froehlich bought twelve trees at Traverse de Sioux Garden Center in St. Peter for the path. He received a 60 percent discount on the trees. The final cost was $1,087.95.
Froehlich met with Skip Hoffman, president of the Nicollet Conservation Club, and the Club has agreed to pay for the trees. The city will need to pay for the compost and water bags for planting the trees. The council agreed to pay for the trees and the Club will reimburse the city after the end of the month.
The council also questioned when the honeysuckle will be removed near the walking path.
Council Member Kevin Ostermann said, "We made a motion month's ago to have the honeysuckle removed."
City Clerk Vanessa Drill will check with City Maintenance Supervisor Darin Drill and get back to the council regarding when this work will be done.
Clerk Drill reported that Michelle Fischer, Nicollet County Attorney, contacted her regarding the handling of cannabis in the city.
"The county commissioners have asked Fischer to contact small cities to see how they want to handle the licensing, regulations, and enforcement or would they like the county to handle it?," Drill said.
After discussion, the council agreed that it might be best if the county handles the issues with cannabis.
A request came from the homeowners at 500 7th Street for an extension on a non-compliant sewer. The non-compliance was found in 2019. The owner had five years to become compliant or pay a $100 non-compliance fee. The homeowner has discovered some extra work that needs to be done so is reporting that they will need until March 2025 to have the work completed.
The council approved the extension for the work to be done by April 30, 2025, and if not done, the $100 non-compliance fee will be charged to the homeowners.
The council approved the request from Clerk Drill to renew the $200,000 Certificate of Deposit for nine months at 5.14%.
Maintenance Supervisor Darin Drill is waiting on quotes for repair of the Water Tower riser pipe and recirculating pump and piping which will need to be repaired before winter. He is also waiting on quotes for check valves that need to be replaced at both Lift Stations.
"They are constantly plugged with rags that are being flushed," he said.
Repairing of solar mixers at Ponds was done on September 6. One needed a battery and another a control module, both covered under warranty.
The Wastewater Ponds have high odor due to high Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (CBOD) loading. He is working with the MPCA to see if there is anything that they can do to help.
"We will probably have the smell problems with the pond until it freezes up," Mayor Froehlich said.
Drill also questioned if he should continue to pursue quotes for the purchase of a truck which spurred the council's conversation about purchasing a larger lawnmower instead.
Council Member Phil Radel suggested the council consider a larger mower that you can fold to cut smaller areas and unfold to mow larger areas like around the pond. This could potentially save the city money by not needing to hire an employee for mowing in the city because mowing would be faster with the bigger mower. No decision was made by the council.
The council approved the August 12 regular meeting minutes and the bills for $52,476.13. The next meeting will be Monday, October 14, at 6 p.m.