By Jolene FarleyThe Hills City Council tackled the proposed city budget figures for 2004 at a lengthy Tuesday meeting. Proposed general fund revenues totaled $225,688 and proposed general fund expenditures totaled $198,135. During the course of the meeting, the council increased proposed general fund expenditures by $23,000 to $221,135. The council budgeted $10,000 for the Street Department, $10,000 for Legion Hall improvements and $3,000 for park improvement, according to City Clerk Connie Wiertzema. Water rates for city residents were increased $1 per increment. In the past, rates were increased every other year, with an increase last year, but the council broke with tradition. "I think you probably need to go with the increase," Council member Dana Dahlquist said. "If we don’t, and we have a problem …"A water improvement fee will be added to resident’s bills. This fee offsets the cost of the water line upgrades completed by Rock County Rural Water in the spring. The $219,000 bill for the improvements broken down among 280 households over 20 years is $3.50 per connection per month, according Wiertzema. The council decided to round the fee up to $4, to make the amount easier to work with for billing purposes. After some discussion, sewer rates weren’t increased.The council didn’t increase garbage and recycling fees, despite a proposed 3-percent cost increase to the city from Town and Country Disposal for both services. Wages and benefits A lengthy, at times heated, discussion on wages and benefits ended with a motion for $500 bonuses for Wiertzema and City Treasurer Joanne Goehle. The bonus is intended to offset substantial amounts the city will pay for increased health insurance premiums for employee Wayne Ward until the end of the year.Wiertzema and Goehle aren’t enrolled in the city’s health plan. "Pay it (the bonus); when the auditor comes along, he can put it where he wants to," Mayor Jim Jellema said. "I’d see first if we could do something like that," Dahlquist said. "Because I don’t want to get in trouble for something like that."The council passed a motion to pay the bonuses, if they’re legal. Wiertzema will receive a 65-cent-per-hour wage increase. Ward will receive a 23-cent-per-hour increase with the city to pay a maximum of $925 per month toward his health insurance premium. Dahlquist made a motion to increase the Mayor’s salary from $1,278 per year to $1,320 and council member’s salaries to $1,000 per year.Elbers protested. "I don’t need any salary increase, as far as I’m concerned." The motion carried anyway, with Elbers the only dissenting voter.Council members and City Treasurer Joanne Goehle didn’t receive a raise last year. Law enforcementRock County Sheriff Mike Winkels attended the council meeting.The council signed a three-year law enforcement contract with Winkels’ department. "In the city itself, we haven’t had lots of problems with drug dealing," Winkels said. He said there is a transient population in the surrounding countryside. "They’re getting mobile and smart."Deputies are patrolling the city and county in unmarked vehicles, according to Winkles. He said that his department is appreciative of anonymous tips from residents. "That’s where we’re getting information about who’s doing what, where," he said.Hills officials, Rock County officials and the Sheriffs Department met on Wednesday, Aug. 20, to review law enforcement cost inceases. The contracts specified that in 2004, small cities in Rock County will pay $31.66 per capita for police protection, and then pay increased amounts for the next two years. The cost per capita in 2005 will be $33, and in 2006, $34.50.Hills, Beaver Creek and Steen paid $28 per person this year. Former Depot buildingEugene and Diane Immediato, Jasper, buyers of the former Little Patriot building and current barbershop building on Main Street, attended the meeting. Earlier this year, the council accepted a $10,000 bid for the building from Immediato, who intends to open a combination mini-grocery/convenience store and delicatessen.The transaction hasn’t been completed yet, pending legal paperwork.Immediato asked the council for verification in writing that a 500-gallon fuel oil tank and miscellaneous construction materials weren’t his so he wouldn’t have to worry about removal of the items in the future. The items belong to Kelly’s Roadhouse owner Kelly Demuth, according to the council."I just wanted to acknowledge everything that’s his that’s on my property," Immediato said. "I’m flexible and I don’t want to cause him any hardship," he added. He said he just wanted documentation so removal of the property wouldn’t be his responsibility down the road. "I’m anxious to get going, and I’m excited," he said. He added if the vacant lot south of his building became available he would be interested in an option to purchase the property. More camping spots at The Rez The council decided to upgrade the existing five campsites at The Rez and add two new campsites. The facility has been popular this summer, but the campsites aren’t big enough to accommodate larger recreational vehicles, according to the council.Ward suggested not adding more campsites to the north of the current spots, because during wet years that area can be underwater. "Why not develop a couple of spots to the east side and plant a few trees," said Council Member Linus Svoboda.The two new spots won’t immediately have electrical hookups.New bulk tanksThe council discussed the relocation of bulk tanks owned by Orv’s Shell station.Owner Orville Sundem is looking for property to build new tanks on. The council discussed possible development funds for the project. Councilman Keith Elbers said if no location could be found for the tanks in Hills he had a possible location available in Steen. Mayor Jim Jellema abstained from the discussion. City apartment sale Elbers, a licensed real estate agent, informed the council that he sold a private apartment building in Hills recently and received some inquiries about the city-owned apartments.The council said the apartments were built with the intention of selling them later and could be purchased for the balance of what the city owes on them.Discussion followed about if the city could legally tack Elber’s fee on to the purchase price. The council instructed City Clerk Connie Wiertzema to contact the city attorney for more information. In other council businessoThe city will be less tolerant with residents delinquent on their water bills and will charge late fees."If it ain’t paid by the 15th and you send a letter on the 16th it’s 10 bucks," Elbers instructed Goehle.Shut-off and re-hookup fees were increased to $25 from $10 each. Residents will receive no second notice about their delinquent bills. The city’s new policy will be printed in the water payment books this year.oThe council reviewed bids to add more lighting in the American Legion Building. Any electrical work on the structure could require upgrading of existing wiring and more money than anticipated, according to electrician Doug Chapman. Both Chapman Electric and R & B Electric submitted bids for the work. The council tabled the matter pending budget discussions. oThe Truth in Taxation hearing was set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9.oCity Maintenance worker Wayne Ward was named Minnesota Waste Water Operator of the Year. He received his plaque during the meeting.
