Council hears housing project update | News, Sports, Jobs

SHERBURN — The Sherburn City Council met on Tuesday evening since Monday was a holiday.

The council received an update on the Healing Heart Housing project as part of the comments/questions part of the meeting. Cheri Frank updated the city council on the progress of the recovery house in Sherburn that was approved by the council some months ago. The house is almost ready for occupancy and hopes to open in October. They have a waiting list for occupants and a list for donations to be given. They are a recovery house so no alcohol, drugs, CBD or other addictive substances are allowed.

They are excited to have a nice, comfortable, livable house for recovery personnel and staff. They are also helping with other recovery events in the county.

The Emerald Ash Borer grant program by the federal government was discussed for some time and the council approved for an arborist to help with the grant writing for $600. The grant is about half written and nurseries have been contacted for replacement trees.

There are two phases or grants. One is for removal of infected trees and one is for replacement of trees that had to be removed. There is a special price for low income households and the council discussed how to apply for that and what needs to be readied for that special group. Assistant City Clerk, Andrea Oelsner, showed the council a working copy of a brochure that may go out to residents via their utility bill and mentioned that more information would be available at city hall. The deadline for the grants is fast approaching, Sept. 18 and Oct. 2, so application for the grants is needed soon.

Reports from the council, City employees and Administrator continued at the meeting. The report on City funds was given and a report about the signage asked for by a resident on South Lake Street saying ‘Watch For Children’ was given. The sign will be the second sign and it is in the works.

There is a new statewide affordable housing program that city hall employees attended via the webinar site. It is for cities under 10,000 and they will look into applying and for more information at the site given: mnhousinc.gov.

The wastewater plant report cited that electrical parts are still the hold up, according to Kelly Jahnke from Bolton & Menk . The water usage was within range for the City. The roof repair bid was $2,500 from Patton Roofing. The City is evaluating trees in the City for infection and removal. Some trees are obstructing the line of vision for stop signs.

A report of crabgrass in the grass by the Osborne Street project was brought up. The sod was treated and the dirt was taken from the project and returned so the weed was not transplanted.

Chief of Police, Trevor Yochim, reported that Sherburn/Welcome Police passed the audit of their training and documentation and were given a certificate. The auditing is done every five years. The investigation on vandalism in the area is progressing and he thanked those who give law enforcement tips and provided camera footage for their help.

The special public hearing about the assessment following the street projects on Osborne Street and other streets like Lynn Street and South Main Street was set for 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 at city hall. If there are more residents attending, the meeting may be held at the Sherburn Senior Center next door to the City office. Travis Winter discussed the assessment and special public hearing with the council.

In other news:

— The license for liquor for the Sherburn Fire Department’s Turkey Bingo on Nov. 3 was approved.

The council went into a special budgetary session.

The next meeting for the Sherburn City Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sept. 25, at Sherburn City Hall. Part of that will be the public hearing.