By Clark Natalie

The events leading up to the purchase of the new pumper for the Harris Fire Department was at issue again at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Harris City Council Monday, Feb. 13.

When the floor was opened to public comment, Rodney Larson asked when Fire Operations Chief Will Lacina was authorized to drive the old red Harris pumper to Alabama.

At the workshop earlier this year, where Lacina informed the council that the old pumper had been red-tagged, Nelson stated that Lacina was authorized to drive his personal vehicle to Alabama to look at the new pumper.

Nelson also questioned the financing of the new pumper. He wondered about the East Central Energy zero-interest loan to finance the truck.

Nelson said that some of the residents of Harris were under the impression that this loan was approved and ready to put into place, according to the information supplied to the council by Councilman Doug Chaffee.

Mayor Rick Smisson responded that the council did not take any action on the fire truck at the workshop, but Lacina provided the council with information concerning the status of the red pumper and that he was going to Alabama to look at the new truck.

John Pelant, the former fire chief, questioned Lacinaís driving the red pumper 1700 miles after it had been red-tagged. Some of the items that were substandard was the brakes and exhaust system.

Smisson and Chaffee responded to the question about financing the new pumper saying the issue was on the agenda and would be discussed at the appropriate time.

Although Chaffee did interject that the ECE financing was not the only method of paying for the pumper they are looking at. There are grants from many agencies that they are in the process of applying for. He is in touch with Henry Fisher of ECE and knows the deadline for the application. That option is still open.

Later in the meeting, the council did deal with the financing of the new pumper. Grundhoefer presented information prepared by Ehlers & Associates, Inc to fund the purchase with the issuance of Certificate of Indebtedness. This will get the pumper off the lease, and all lease payments will be applied to the purchase of the truck. The resolution that was passed calls for the city to issue $165,000 in General Obligation Equipment Certificates. Ehlers & Associates, as the cityís independent financial advisor, is authorized to solicit proposals to fund these certificates. The proposals will determine the rate of interest the city will pay.

Getting to business

The Council then went on to the items on the agenda, the first one being the appointment of a citizen to fill the vacant council seat of Dan Walton. Mayor Smisson informed the council that the application of Doug Payne had been reviewed and interviews held. Payne is presently a member of the Harris Planning Commission and would meet the requirements of the position. Payne is aware of the work that will go into the position, the mayor said.

Then from the floor, Rodney Nelson questioned the council about the other applicants for the position, whether they had been interviewed.

Smisson stated that he was not aware of any other applicants and Payneís letter was the only one he had reviewed.

When questioned, City Clerk Kim Hugger informed the council that letters and applications had been submitted by Rodney Nelson and John Pelant.

Those documents had been supplied to the council as they came in, she noted.

The council then elected to delay the appointment and to review the other applicants and interview them. The appointment will be made at a later date.

Lift station down

City maintenance director Mike Kriz, apprised the council that lift station #4 went out again on Sunday morning around 12:15 a.m. Northstar Pump of Lakeville was the only company who could deal with the problem at that time.

Northstar said that the problem is in the control box. It is so deteriorated that it is no longer waterproof. The part that failed not only shorted out, but burned. Northstar agreed to apply the cost of the service call, approximately $800, to the cost of replacing the box. The council agreed to authorize the replacement of not only the box in lift station #4, but also station #3, because that one is actually in worse shape than #4. The cost will be approximately $2,500. The council will see if further repairs can be incorporated into the Waste Water Treatment Facility project.

Site questioned

City Engineer, Chuck Schwartz, reviewed the wastewater treatment facility project along with the water treatment plant. The location of the water treatment plant is causing concern among the residents by the city park where it is to be located.

Schwartz had the surveyors stake out two options. Dave Hutcheson, a neighbor of the park, is concerned about the location. It is very close to his house. The other option is to locate the plant in the middle of the park, limiting future expansion.

The council agreed that a review of the location needs to be done. They agreed to meet at the park on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 4 pm, with Schwartz, Hutcheson, and other Harris residents interested in the issue. Richard Hanson and Bill Deming of the Harris Park Board will also attend, to express their issues.

In other issues, the council:

ï authorized a speed study on Harder Ave.

ï approved the renewal of the contract with the building inspector, Steve Thorp. He also will deal with zoning issues as part of his new contract.

ï noted that for Presidentís Day, City Hall will be closed on Feb. 17 and Feb. 20, reopening for business as usual Feb. 21.