WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) --     The Walnut Grove City Council met in a regular session on the 13th day of August, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the council coom.

    Greg Hansen, Xiong Yang, Todd Harrington, Jeff Harnack, Leonard McLaughlin, Mike Zeug, Herb Krueger and Tom Hansen were present.

    Brian White will no longer be handling misdemeanor offenses or ordinance violations.  Mayor Hansen discussed the city’s options with County Attorney Steven Collins and he has agreed to handle them.  The council approved the agreement with Steven Collins, Redwood County Attorney, to handle all misdemeanor offenses and ordinance violations for the City of Walnut Grove for a fee of $1850 per year.  Brian White will still handle any civil cases for the City of Walnut Grove.



    The Water/Wastewater report was given by Herb Krueger from PeopleService.  Discussion was held regarding the final clarifier repairs needed at the treatment plant.  

    The Bar & Grill report was discussed by the council.  Total sales & receipts are down approximately $2500 from 2011.  Discussion was held on pull tabs.  Deb Johnson will set up a meeting with the Walnut Grove Area Loggers to discuss pull tab sales.  Discussion was held on getting an ATM for the Bar & Grill.  No decisions were made.  

    The maintenance report was discussed.  Tom will be contacting a company to repair or replace a number of curbstops over a two day period.  Tom informed the council that he will haul black dirt to the vacant lot on Main Street and plant grass next spring.  Discussion was held on tree trimming and Tom will have Keck take care of a couple more trees this year.

    Discussion was held on replacing the City Park deck next spring.  Quotes were received from Plum Creek Cabinets and Trent Baker Construction.  The council will make a final decision at a later date.  

    The police report was given by Chief Zeug.  Discussion was held on the purchase of a rifle for the police department. Zeug will bring information to the next meeting.

    Discussion was held on employee wages and pay equity and the potential to not be in compliance if the starting wage for Part Time Police is changed.  It was determined that the council could either change the starting wage for part time police or the council could consider the applicants experience, and start them out at a higher step on the wage scale, if their experience justified the higher step.  The council opposed the increase of the starting wage of the part time police and will instead consider starting them higher on the wage scale.  

    The City of Walnut Grove is required to have a Residential Anti-displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan for Grantees of the Small Cities Development Program to qualify for more funds with the Walnut Grove/Lamberton grant. The council approved this plan.

    The 2013 Budget was discussed and the preliminary budget will be approved at the September meeting.

    The council appointed the following election judges for the 2012 election.  Linda McGarvey – Head election judge; Judith Anderson; Beatrice Maeyaert; Betty Bannick; Terry Yang; Wanda Lund; Neng Yang;  

    The council approved Claims #34452 through 34579.