---

Stacy City Council met June 9 for a regular meeting. Council member Mike Hoppe was absent.

In the open forum, liquor store manager Rod Olson spoke on the potential increase of healthcare for city employees at the next renewal.  He told the council they may have to look at increasing wages over the 16 percent proposed increase.

In new business, city attorney James Monge told the council he had looked at the proposal for outfield advertising at Doyle Fields and it looked good to him.  The Lions will sell signage and install in the outfield and retain profits for projects in Stacy.

Monge and the council next had a conversation about Lions Park shelter reservations.  Currently the city has a first come first serve policy.  Monge told the council it may be wise to have a sign-up sheet either at city hall or online.  Monge added if the city chooses to, they could install a small hold fee for the shelter citizens would require if they wished to reserve it. Council agreed to the sign-up option.

Council next discussed a proposed security system and for a fence to be installed at the water tower.  Mayor Mark Utecht told the council a fence would be more hassle than it’s worth and suggested just security cameras.   The city received a quote from Cabin Watch Security for $1,038.45 with a monthly  monitoring fee of $33.95.  Council approved the security cameras unanimously.

Council approved an application from the Stacy Lions Club for a liquor license for Doyle Field unanimously.

Maintenance supervisor Troy Nelson told council one of the city’s plow trucks is too far gone and costs to fix it are exceeding its worth.   Nelson said he had found a plow truck that recently had a new engine put in that will be going up for bid soon. Utecht told Nelson to go view the vehicle before the auction and let the council know his thoughts.  Utecht and council member Tim Sawatzky told Nelson to also look into rent to own plow trucks that would allow the city to always have a newer plow truck in its fleet.

Nelson then gave the council an update on the cold storage building and the potential of running new power to the structure.  Nelson said he spoke with Xcel and was told the city would be better served if Xcel installed a transformer near the building.   Nelson is waiting to hear the cost estimate from Xcel.

Nelson then presented a quote for televising and jetting for the southern part of Stacy. Last year the city jetted and televised the northern part of Stacy. The bid Nelson received was for $59,000 which the council passed 4-0.

Council next discussed the city of Stacy full time employee health benefits.  The city had received a quote from the existing healthcare provider and another from Medica.  The topic was discussed for an hour with many motions made and a few that failed.  The main hang up was for the benefits for those employees who have family under their plan.  The new plan will almost double the monthly premium.  Currently the city pays $1,000 a month towards healthcare.  Utecht made a motion to up the minimum to $1,200 per month.  Council member Jeff Barrett told the council he would like to see those with families receive more than the $1,200.  He made a motion to amend, which failed to get a second.  After more discussion the council agreed to drop the mandatory life insurance required by the city which would alleviate some of the premium increase burden.  Council passed the motion unanimously.  

Council then discussed an anonymous letter that included complaints. Council did not specify what the complaint was about. Utecht told the council he will not acknowledge any anonymous letter. “If the resident is serious, they will put their name behind it,” he added.

---