SHERBURN — The Sherburn City Council met on Monday evening. The regular meeting was held at 5 p.m. and the mayor explained there would be a Public Hearing and Truth in Taxation meeting at 6 p.m. with a budget session following.

During the regular meeting the council approved a bill of $12,000 from the Temperance Lake Ridge remodeling project. This is about 25 percent of the cost of remodeling. The TLR was built more than 20 years ago and the furniture carpet and window treatments have never been replaced. The TLR is owned by the city and is an enterprise fund managed by a company called Cornerstone as far as the salaries and fees are concerned. The TLR employs about 40 employees which supports the community and they annually contribute around $40,000 to $75,000 to the city which lowers levels to taxpayers.

The Police Chief of the Welcome/Sherburn Police Department, Trevor Yochim, reported to the council for November. He also discussed the Shop with a Cop Program which will happen in December. The fundraising went well and he anticipates more to be added with checks cashed and other sources. Last year each child could shop for their family with about $300 and they had around 15 children. The Welcome Fire and Trimont Fire members will help as volunteers this year.

The city works department has put up the Christmas decorations, however, there are not as many as there were in previous years. The hardness of the water was detected and is being worked on. The clerk, Andrea Ballard, reported that some cellular water meters should be installed hopefully in 2025. Andrea reported that the new Deputy Clerk, Sean Devenn, is working on some projects and continues to progress.

An inquiry concerning water quality was asked by a resident. The council and others have noticed some hard water lately, and the clerk stated the City Works department had been notified. There is a valve that is being replaced but it may take some time. The hardness was 33 grains when it usually is five grains after the reverse osmosis treatment. The council asked that residents have patience until the replacement is complete.

The council reports asked about the maintenance of the townhomes. They also asked about one more street sweeping this year. The council finished the evening with a budget session and a public hearing for the City’s Truth in Taxation.

In other news:

— The council approved the fraternization policy to let others know that two employees had a relationship.

— The council approved the purchase of Planet Software for one year at $1,000 for Capitol Improvement plans that would schedule equipment for repair/replacement in advance so budget plans could be made and repair/replacement costs would not surprise anyone.

— The council discussed the insurance for employees and approved continuing with Blue Cross Blue Shield and paying 75 percent of the premium. The subject has been discussed and postponed twice at council meetings before this meeting. The council will discuss doing 100 percent or 75 percent at budget sessions in the future. The budget is now at $10,900+ and the 75 percent plan would be about $12,000. The 100 percent would come to about $16,000. There will be increases of 18 percent proposed by the insurance company. The cost depends on the age of the employee and what job description they have.

The next meeting of the Sherburn City Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Dec. 16 at City Hall.