Assessing ash trees, replacing bleachers

During the July 13 meeting of the New Richland city council, it was announced the city’s “Night to Unite” gathering will be at the City Park from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the evening of Tuesday, August 4. All are invited to attend. There will be free food. Activities which encourage children to interact with members of the police, fire, and ambulance staff.

 

The city received two bids for the removal of about 125 ash trees over the next couple of years: Lawnpro for $21,360 and Davey for $14,850. Council members decided to accept the lower bid. The Bank of New Richland donated $20,000 that will cover this cost. 

 

During the July meeting, city administrator Tyler Lendt recommended purchasing new aluminum bleachers for Legion Field. He mentioned part of the cost would be covered by $5,000 budgeted in 2025 for capital improvements at the field, augmented with funds available in this year’s budget.

 

Currently, the city is contracting with Metro Sales Inc. for a copier and cloud-based storage for document management in a system called DocuWare. DocuWare is billed annually; cost for 2025 was more than $6,200. City administrator Tyler Lendt recommends changing to Coordinated Business Systems, whose monthly, all-inclusive fee would be $565. Lendt went on to say that, although the cost would be about $570 higher each year, he anticipates the improved user friendliness of the software and increased customer support will make the service cost effective.

 

A fee schedule has been set for the city compost site with the intent of making it self-sustaining. Fees will be: UTV or car, $5; pickup or 8-foot trailer, $10; one-ton truck or 12-foot trailer, $20. Payment must be made within 24 hours of leaving compostables; remission can be at a drop box at city hall, or using the city’s online payment portal. There will be a $200 fine for any violations; cameras are set up and recording there.    

 

The 2025 General Obligation Bond for the street project will have its first full year of payment in 2027. Some of that cost must come from water payments. New Richland residents are currently paying $9 per thousand gallons of water, and a sewer fee of $13.50 per thousand gallons. The council is considering raising rates for water to $10.75, but balancing the increase by reducing sewer fees to $12.25 per thousand gallons. 

 

Council members agreed to a request from Finley’s Wings at Work to close Division Street West between Broadway and Ash avenues for a fundraising street dance scheduled for the afternoon and evening of Saturday, Aug. 1.  

 

On June 18 the lawn was being mowed near the New Richland Care Center when a rock was thrown by the mower into a parked car. The car sustained damage that will cost an estimated $900 to repair.

 

There was an ordinance amending the city code by adopting regulations for fences. Bob Swenson spoke as a private citizen on the matter and said, “I wanted to ask after the regulation regarding pools and the four foot height requirement for fences around pools. It seems like someone could have a cattle tank or a wading pool and bam, they’re in violation of the law.” He has two neighbors who have pools, one year-round, the other temporary. Swenson stated his belief the law should apply to in-ground pools, but the owner of the temporary pool should not be required to build a fence.

 

The council replaced city ordinances regarding golf carts with a set of standards which now covers “Motorized Golf Cart, Utility Task Vehicles, and Mini Truck Use.”

 

The emergency medical services department reported it had responded to 54 calls for the year as of the meeting date. The department was present during Farm and City Days and expects to also be available during Waldorf Days from Aug. 21 to 23. The Waldorf event is anticipating a big turnout this year.

 

The New Richland Fire Department received one fire call and two medical calls in June.  The July training was pumping on 7th Street.

 

New Richland Police Chief Tanyce Bruegger said, “We responded to 51 calls for service for the month of June. We had 10 lock checks/directed patrols, eight traffic stops, eight other agencies assisted, two suspicious circumstances, four animal complaints, 11 ordinance violations. As always, we remind people to get in touch with us if they have any information regarding any incidents that have occurred in the City of New Richland or surrounding areas. Officer DeRaad attended and completed Use of Force Instructor training. He has passed and is awaiting certification documents. The radar certification annual recertification will cost $86.”

 

The New Richland Care Center has a current census of 41 residents, consisting of 10 Medicare, nine hospice, three private pay, 18 Medicaid. The facility continues to hire new staff members to fill the decreasing number of openings. Planning is underway to cope with the anticipated wave of vacancies likely to occur when college students return to their courses in the fall. All staff have been working diligently to help reduce the use of temporary agency staffing.  

 

Shell Johnson read the wastewater operation and maintenance report, there was a June 2 power outage from 5:55 to 10:45 p.m. which was caused by a bird on a power pole. The department held it quarterly safety meeting at the plant and included People Service employees Nick Vicker, Chris Secrist, Robert Jayne and Region Manager Herb Krueger. Said Johnson, “I will be out of the office from July 16 through 22, Herb Krueger can be contacted if there are any questions or emergencies.”

 

The maintenance and utility report included an update on the weekly maintenance of Legion Field, City and St. Olaf Lake Parks, City Hall, the city shop, library, and water plant; it was reported all preparations had been made for Farm and City Days. T The mower went in for its 800 hours scheduled maintenance.

 

The council approved a permit for the T-Mobile/Metronet to begin its fiber overbuilding of New Richland. This is in part to provide an option for residents and businesses which lost their internet service when provider Radio Link discontinued operations last month. Regarding Radio Link, the deadline given during the May meeting for removal of the company’s equipment mounted on the New Richland water tower was July 13. The equipment is still there. Verizon Wireless is being contacted to check out the area, and the council will revisit this issue after Verizon’s visit.