Council paves way for Bevcomm to compete with Mediacom

During the Waldorf city council meeting the evening of Monday, March 9, it was announced council member Carrie Ferch has been moved to the New Richland Care Center for health reasons; it was stated the council members and all of Waldorf send their good wishes. It was also announced that Mayor Rob Wilkening will be out of town for the April city council meeting, but the meeting will go on as planned.

 

The council voted to notify Mediacom that Waldorf will not renew the current franchise agreement contract, which was signed 15 years ago and ends in July 2027. A representative of Bevcomm was on hand to explain how the company will be installing new fiber optic lines around town and signing up new Waldorf customers who might not want to stay with Mediacom. The Bevcomm fiber optic line will be installed in a two-week period this summer, and can support phone and streaming services. The representative stated Bevcomm’s intent is not to eliminate Mediacom from Waldorf, but to offer residents an additional option. This will be done at no cost to the city; Bevcomm will be notifying every resident in town via mailers or door to door.

 

The council voted to allow an autopay option for paying city water bills; it will include a $2 convenience charge for each use. The council voted to approve Positive Pay fraud prevention through the city accounts at Minnwest Bank. The council voted to change the use of city debit cards to credit cards.

 

Charlie Barnes attended the meeting on behalf of the Waldorf Veterans Memorial, which borders his property. He said he would like to kill the crab grass that is becoming invasive this spring. Barnes would also like to turn the installation of the memorial brick path to include everyone, “I would like that to be a community event if possible.” Roger Witt of Witt’s Electric said he will help install the wiring for the gazebo and is willing to donate his time. 

 

The next park committee meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26; community members are encouraged to attend. The next Waldorf Days committee meeting is scheduled at the community center at 6 p.m. Monday, March 23. Again, members of the public are invited.

 

Quotes are being sought from three companies for the installation of new playground equipment near the city ballpark: Pro Playgrounds, Flagship Recreation and Midwest Playscapes. Each has provided its own proposed different playground schematic and price structure, with various options to choose from. The council has been informed having the city dismantle and dispose of the old equipment would greatly decrease the bids from the companies. Around $43,000 has been raised toward the project, with grant options available.

 

The water and sewer department reported nine residences failed to pay their water bill this month; another five submitted only partial payment. A total amount of $1,587 was not collected; currently two non-paying residences have received shut-off notices and six are currently not receiving service.