The Superior Express -

Those present at the Sept. 7 Mankato City Council meeting were Mayor Schoonover, Council President Dauner, Councilmen Becker, Councilman Klos, Councilwoman Abel, Councilman Tyler and Attorney Miller.

Sheriff Jacobs requested no parking signs on the north side of Webster Street because of trailers and semi-trucks parking on both sides of the street making it impassable. Attorney Miller said he would bring a resolution in the October council meeting.

Nancy Marihugh reported in August there were 20 active COVID cases. As of the council meeting, there were 19 new cases. Six of those were fully vaccinated. Booster shots were available Sept. 20. Two elderly patients were hospitalized with COVID.

KMEA – What can we do differently in the future to mitigate high bills during cold and hot weather? After research on Mankato’s power grid the best solution was to install generators. Maintenance would be performed on the generators by KMEA staff on a periodic basis. KMEA said this was an option for the city to explore for the future. Governing body said they would take it into consideration.

Monte Dakin presented the best option to the city council to do point repair on the sewer system with the funds received as part of the America Rescue Plan Act. He said these funds would be used in three major problem areas of the sewer system to slow down the inflow and infiltration (I&I) until the main sewer project is completed. The recommendation is to use cast in place pipe (CIPP). The council agreed.

Attorney Miller presented Ordinance 734 allowing selling of liquor at 9 a.m., instead of 11 a.m. Ordinance 734 was approved.

Attorney Miller presented Ordinance 735 to increase utility deposits from $120 to $250. Motion was made to increase deposit to $250 and the motion carried.

The administrator was asked when the leak would be fixed at the pool. The administrator said he was working on it but the leak had not been located.

The administrator was asked why the volleyball court was locked but he did not know why and would have it unlocked.

The council was presented the level payment plan (LPP) amounts to the council. They said the bills were remarkably high and suggested to drop the LPP’s for six months to let customers catch up and reevaluate the 7th month. When Attorney Miller was asked if that was feasible, Miller asked not to drop the LPP’s until they were reviewed further.

Council informed the administrator to send delinquent letters to the customers that are on the current active delinquent list.

The administrator informed council citizens were complaining about trucks using their engines to brake coming into town. Signs were bought by the city several years ago. Council said KDOT would not let them be installed during that time. The administrator rtalked to KDOT, and they said it was okay if in city limits. Council said put them up.

The council was presented an estimate to replace downtown streetlights with LED lights. The price to replace 25 lights is $6,218.75. The return on investment is about 1.5 years. The council approved the purchase and replacement of 25 streetlights.

The school wanted to use the swimming pool but Attorney Miller said the school would need to agree to a hold harmless agreement. He would visit with the school superintendent.

It was approved to use the ARPA funds awarded to Mankato for the repairs of three problem areas in the sewer system using CIPP.