WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) --     Westbrook — Mayor Rocky Kolar reported he has been in contact with officials in Storden and Jeffers. He indicated both cities are interested in securing a Housing Rehabilitation grant.

    Council person Dennis Phelps said he will be attending a meeting of  Western Community Action in Marshall. Jeff Gladis, grant facilitator, had been talking about working on such a grant for the area.

    Phelps also mentioned how a community garden has been very successful in Marshall. EDA president Tom Merchant had brought up the idea of starting a community garden at a previous meeting.



    If there are any persons interested in having a plot in a community garden please leave your name with the city clerk at the city hall.

    Dan Joel of the utilities, and street supervisor Carl Conrad reported that work on replacing check valves for the sewer system has been completed. Also, last summer replacement of rip-rap on  the sewer ponds was completed.

    Conrad asked if Police Chief Alan Wahl could leave a list of things he sees each week,  that might need attention. He is trying to designate Friday as a day that he will use to make any repairs needed.    

    The council discussed whether or not to change the deductible on the Workman Compensation Insurance. The deductible was increased to $1000 last time. The higher deductible saves about $400 a year. The council agreed to keep the deductible the same.

    The council passed a resolution to make Dennis Jutting an authorized representative to the Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (WMMPA), and the Missouri Basin Municipal Power Agency. Jim Schmidt was named as an alternate representative.

    The council authorized the release of securities for Bank Midwest.

    Bank Midwest currently holds public city funds of the city of Westbrook. The funds held at the bank must be secured at a rate of 110 percent. Since Bank Midwest is no longer accepting any new public funds at this time, the city has invested some of  their funds elsewhere. The release of securities will allow the bank to reduce their pledge for the securities.

    Mayor Kolar talked about the city’s land rental agreement coming due this spring. He asked the council for input on the rental. The council felt the agreement should be looked at every three years rather than every five years due  to the changes in cash rent. Mayor Kolar said he would discuss the rental contract with the current renter Jorgenson Farms.

    Mayor Kolar announced the city now is on Facebook. Persons can access the page by going to City of Westbrook MN.com

    Police chief Alan  Wahl reported a state representative will be coming  down to help discuss the new 800 mghrz radio system and help him to get possible grants to get more money for the system.

January police report:

    One accident, four tickets issued, six open doors.