Ellendale City Council

By SCOTT GROTH

Contributing Writer

The Ellendale City Council met Thursday August 23, with Mayor Engel and all council members present. Also in attendance for the meeting was Steve Louks, City Clerk, and Pete Paulson, Municipal Liquor Store Manager.

The city council took on the yearly task of determining how much and what is needed in the city to set the tax levy for the year 2013. The council felt that streets are a major concern for the upcoming years and would like start doing projects in stages. Mayor Engel pointed out to the council that the backhoe will be paid for this year and that will help a little. The council reviewed the interim budget report prepared by Clerk Louks for the meeting. After some discussion the council moved to leave the levy the same as 2012, which is $307,118.00. This amount will be sent to county for certification.

The council reviewed the fire department’s new Relief Association bylaws. As explained to the council at a prior meeting, the major difference will be in the time it takes an individual to get vested in the fire department. The council moved to accept the new bylaws for the fire department.

By NICOLE BILLING

Editorial Assistant

Habitat For Humanity is helping an underprivileged family by fixing up a donated house. Joe Fritz, building coordinator, encourages all interested volunteers to sign up by September 1. 

The house, located at 508 NW 4th St. in New Richland, needs a fair share of repairs before the family can move in.

According to Joe Fritz, "We need to replace the walls, windows and siding. There has to be Radon tests done. Volunteers won't be asked to do any of the big things, but it would be nice if they could help with little things like yard work and hammering nails into the wall. People could even help put sheet rock up if they wanted."