WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) --     westbrook  — Police Chief Alan Wahl provided information on a maintenance agreement for the city radios with Alpha Wireless. The cost of per radio each month would be between 10 and 12 dollars. The cost for all of the city radios would be about $6,000 per year. The radios are dispersed between the fire department, ambulance, police department, and city maintenance department.

    Council members discussed whether it would be better to self insure the radios, or to go with the maintenance agreement. Mayor Dennis Phelps said they (the council) should look into the matter further before making a decision.



    Roger Haar addressed the council about the recent purchase of a city mower. He said he was disappointed that the council did not purchase the unit from one of our local vendors. He also felt it was particularly bad that Westbrook Ag Power was not even contacted about bidding on the mower.

    Mayor Phelps commented,  and the rest of the council agreed, that they should have contacted Westbrook Ag Power, and had talked to Lincoln about it after the fact. It apparently, in part, was the result of miscommunications and oversight among council members and the council street committee.

    It appeared the council never intended to preclude any local firms from the bidding on the mower.

    Police Chief Alan Wahl discussed the city’s emergency operation plan, for natural disasters such as tornadoes or other severe weather storms. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires all cities to have an emergency operation plan in place, with copies given to each council member. Wahl will be assembling the plans in binders for each council member.

    Wahl also asked the council to approve a joint powers agreement resolution with the State Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The agreement would allow Westbrook Police Department access to that agency. The council approved the agreement.

    The council approved the conveyance of a strip of land behind the property of  the catholic church, Dave Beaty, and Norma Phipps on the north end of First Avenue. The conveyance includes an easement for the city to access public utilities.

    The council approved an employee insurance package of  life insurance and short term disability for full time employees retro active to January. The city will pay 65 percent of the premium and the employee will pay 35 percent.

    The city signed a contract with Bargen Incorporated to seal coat sixth street from Davis Avenue east for $29,000. The coating will be applied at a slightly higher rate than last years application.

    Minor changes in three city ordinances were proposed to the following ordinances: Ord. No. 1-2013 repealing section 9:00 of Code 8. Ord. No. 2-2013 Amending subd 2 Section 3.20 of Code 3. Ord. No 3-2013 Amending Section 11.02 Code 11 adding Subd 9. Resolution No. 4-2013 Establishing Rates, Fees and Administrative fines. These resolutions will be voted on at the  next city council meeting in April.

    Applications for charitable gambling were approved for the Westbrook Lion’s Club and the Westbrook Area Volunteers.

    A building permit was issued to Merlin Hubin for an addition to his home on Fir Avenue.

February Police Report:

    Five tickets issued; three domestic cases; two funeral escorts; 1 minor in consumption and open bottle.