CITY OF TIPTON – CITY COUNCIL MEETING – Monday, July 7, 2025
The regular meeting of the Tipton City Council was held at 7:30 p.m. Monday July 7, 2025 at City Hall. Those present were Mayor Jarrod Shivers, City Clerk Brigit Gasper, City Superintendent Rod Barker and City Council members Sara Dilley, Jessica Krier, Mark Towner and Ben Avery. Council member Michael Ohnsat was absent. Also present was Vanessa Tonne.
Mayor Jarrod Shivers called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Minutes from the June 5, 2025 meeting were reviewed and approved.
Utility bills were mailed with link information to obtain the Consumer Confidence report for calendar year 2024 online on the website. The report is also available at the City building and post office and was mailed to the Mitchell County Health Department. This is required annually.
The sales tax receipt for June was $4938.84. Receipts for June were $32234.43 and disbursements totaled $22,525.08.
The premium for the addition of the concession stand building was included in the bills this month with the additional insurance effective July 1, 2025. There was also a quote received for a transformer that went out at the ball field, which will be billed to the city when work is complete. There was previous discussion on an AED machine for the concession building. Brigit had been in contact with the Mitchell County Emergency Management and the EMS. Troy and Vanessa Tonne have a machine that they are not using. The machine will need a new battery and possibly some updates. Jarrod said the he had information on obtaining a battery from the fire department.
Discussion was held on a bill received for digging a grave in the cemetery. Rod could not get his backhoe in that area, so the grave was dug by another party. Discussion was held on the charge for digging graves and this will be discussed with the parish and the cemetery committee and also with area funeral homes.
Vanessa Tonne and Brigit have been working on training for the City Clerk position, which Vanessa will be taking over. She is also helping Rod with mowing, as the concession project is creating additional things for him to take care of. Wages for these positions were discussed. Sara Dilley made a motion to pay the bills; Mark Towner seconded. Motion carried.
The 2026 Budget has been received and Brigit reviewed what was sent to her from Anita Goertzen at City Aid. City Aid was provided with the detailed spreadsheets for all income and expenses for 2024 and the estimated upcoming income and expenses for 2025. This service was valuable in creating an accurate budget with all of the changes and more complicated issues that have evolved. The Budget Hearing Meeting will be Monday, August 4 at 7:30 pm at the City Hall in conjunction with the regular monthly City meeting. Notice was sent to the Downs news for publication in the paper 10 days prior to that meeting.
The CMB license renewal for St Boniface Parish for the annual church picnic on August 1 and 2 is due. The application has been completed and signed by Fr. Luke Thielen. Mark Towner made a motion to approve the license; Jessica Krier Seconded. Motion carried.
It was reported that sheet rock and flooring work is being done in the Concession building. Mark Towner reported on the grant that he had reported on the last meeting for workout equipment. He said that the first step was sending in an intent to apply for the grant. That has been completed and they will be notified of the outcome. Discussion was held on usage of the concession building for different events and activities. Currently, the building is still being worked on and in the future, there will need to be guidelines established as to what will be allowed and required.
Sara Dilley brought up the need to spray the park for the upcoming Movie, Meats and Treats event coming up. Rod was aware and is also spraying the park and trail prior to the church picnic activities on Aug. 1-2.
The condition of some residential and vacant lots has been brought to the attention of the mayor and some of the council members. It was discussed that owners of the properties are responsible for their property and it is not the responsibility of the city. Further action may need to be discussed and implemented if the problem continues.
Rod reported that he is using the sprinkler system that was installed around the concession stand area. He has planted temporary grass, then will plant the permanent grass in fall when the growing season for grass is better.
Rod reported that there is a water meter that it not working in town and will need to be replaced. That will be done at a more appropriate time when the town water use will not be so highly affected. Street repair and maintenance was also discussed and that will be done after the church picnic.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm. Next meeting date is Monday, August 4 at 7:30 pm. This will be the annual Budget Hearing Meeting.
Brigit Gasper, City Clerk