WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) --     Westbrook  — The city was looking for quotes to replace the city’s ageing lawn mower. Quotes were received from K.C. Repair of Westbrook, and Slayton Equipment Company of Slayton.

    The quote from K.C. Repair was for a Hustler Z commercial grade rear discharge mower with a 60 inch deck and a 25 hp diesel motor, with a two year warranty was $15,340 with trade in.

    Slayton Equipment’s quote, for a John Deere Z track commercial grade, rear discharger mower with a 60 inch deck, 31 hp diesel motor with dual  hydro drive, and a 2 year warranty was $15,303.75 with trade in.



    After discussing the pros and cons of  each mower the council voted to accept the quote from Slayton Equipment. With some of the rough ground at the sewage lagoon site, the council also decided to purchase the air ride seat for an additional $300.

    The council looked at the fee structure for various city fees. Most fees were kept at 2012 rates, however the council felt community center rental fees and building permit fees should be increased.

    The building permit fee has not been raised in a number of years, so it was decided to increase the fee from $20.00 to $25.00.

    The rental fee for the community center  was raised from $145.00 to $200.00. The Senior Citizens Center rental  fee was raised from $45.00 to $60.00. All other center fees were left the same.

    The  council also looked at the contract of Dawn Joel custodian of the community center. Currently she works two hours a week for general cleaning of the community center. She also receives $10.00 a week for cleaning the senior center.

    The council voted to raise her salary from $25.00 to $30.00 a week for normal weeks, and from $50.00 to $60.00 a week for cleaning per major event. Joel will also be put on the payroll and she will no longer be on a contract basis, but will have taxes and PERA taken out of her pay.

    The council also discussed how to handle deposits for the community center. Currently the city holds deposit checks until after the event is held. City Clerk Katie Steen will check with the auditor to see if the checks  can be deposited and refunds given only if the renters take care of cleaning of the center to the condition they find it. The council will further discuss the matter at the next council meeting.

    Duane Hooge of Bargen Inc. was scheduled to be in town to check the streets and tennis courts to see how the new seal coating was working. Dan Joel former street supervisor said they will have to take core samples to see how much penetration the “Replay” coating went into the pavement.

    The council passed two resolutions calling for Dennis Jutting to be the local representative with Missouri River Power, and Western Minnesota Power Agency.

    The council also passed a resolution to get on the recovery list for helping to recover demolition funds from properties that need to be torn down after fires when insurance covers the removal. Clerk Steen has already prepared a letter to be sent to the League of Minnesota Cities.

    The city learned that OSHA is making the rounds inspecting city equipment and facilities in all cities in the state. If the city has an OSHA instructor inspect all of the city’s equipment and property then the city can stay off the list for three years.

    The council voted to have an OSHA inspector come in to inspect the city equipment and properties.

    Good Samaritan Society Westbrook was granted a raffle license.

    Travis Nelson and Troy Shoenenberger of Westbrook talked to the council about opening a bait shop. They are currently looking for a building  to rent or purchase for the business. If they find a suitable building they would like to open the shop in early spring.

    Two building permits were issued. A permit was issued to  Rocky Kolar to remove a building on  First Avenue. A permit was also issued to Doug Kletscher to build an addition and deck at his home on Bell Avenue.

    The Westbrook Area Volunteers was issued a temporary liquor license for a fund raising event.

    Police Chief Alan Wahl reported part time officer  Determan is leaving to take a position in Marshall.

    He also reported the new siren control boxes have been installed but are not functioning properly. The county is unable to control the sirens from headquarters in Windom,  but they can be turned on locally for the time being. Wahl said he has someone coming out to check them out.

January police report:

    One domestic issue, three tickets written, one funeral assist, and two county assists.