City Appoints Engineer
At their meeting Monday evening, the Britton City Council discussed the appointment of a city engineer. Chris Peterson of ISG explained that it is good for a municipality to have someone on staff for everyday questions related to infrastructure and small projects. Having a city engineer would mean that the city would not have to enter into a new contract for every small thing or go through the proposal process, Peterson explained. An appointed engineer could do all of that for a lower per hour cost as well. The council went on to appoint Peterson as their City Engineer.
The second reading of the 2023 Appropriations Ordinance (the city budget) was approved. (This ordinance is available in this week’s legal notices.) Another ordinance to supplement the current year’s budget was also approved. $1.3 million was supplemented. Mayor Clyde Fredrickson explained that this is an expected step to take at the end of a fiscal year to transfer funds to different accounts. It may also be necessary to supplement the budget because of unforeseen projects that had to be completed or due to grants and loans being acquired for projects.
Pay estimates and a change order were approved to pay Dahme Construction for the Horton Expansion project. Payments of around $175,000 were okayed. $100,000 was transferred from the water fund to the sewer fund to cover costs for the Horton project.
The council approved the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan and the 2023 Northeast Council of Government’s Joint Cooperative agreement. Snappers Dry Bean was granted two special liquor licenses, one for the Horton Christmas party and one for the Britton Chamber banquet. Public Works Director George Flanery asked the council to declare a pressure washer and used skid steer tires surplus so he can sell them.
The council had a discussion with Britton Library Director Sonya Lang about weather-related library closures. She noted that the library board wanted to follow the school’s closures. Lang added that older patrons follow school closures on TV and may not see online updates, so following the school closings is easiest. The council voiced some concern that the school has to consider a much wider area and the library offers necessary services regardless of weather. The decision was made to consider library closures separately from the school. Closures will be announced on the library’s Facebook page, their website and on the KELOLAND Closeline.
In other discussion topics, Finance Officer Jennifer Athey reminded everyone that Venturecomm rates will soon be increasing. A family pool pass was donated to the American Legion for their Bingo event.
The council will hold a special meeting on Monday at 5 p.m. to conduct the second reading of the Ordinance to Supplement the Budget.