City of Herman approves extended warranty for tractor

Katie Erdman

Grant County Herald

The Herman City Council decided to extend the warranty on the Case IH Farmall tractor. The current warranty expired on December 14. 

Maintenance Director Luke Classen obtained estimates for extending the warranty and presented them to the council at their meeting on Dec. 9. The bids were for either 1,000 hours or 60 months or 1,500 hours or 60 months. There were three levels of coverage from PT, PTplus H and Premier. Each level carried more coverage than the lower level.

The estimates ranged from $2,128 to $4,004 which was the premier level with 1,500 hours. The council members discussed the various needs and decided that 1,500 would not be needed as the city typically would not put in that many hours within a year. The estimates were for three years of extended coverage.

It was discussed that the premiere level of coverage would be the best as it covered the most repairs. The council has had experience in the past with very high repair bills and this coverage would cover from the Power train to hydraulic systems. For what is covered, the $3,791 per year would be worth it and possibly save the city in the event of a major breakdown.

It was decided to go with the 1,000 hour or 60 month Premiere plan with a clarification of the start date. The plan was to start the extended warranty immediately.

The council received a building permit request for a new home at 306 3rd Street West. Garrett and Rebecca Eystad would like to move in a modular home to be placed on a foundation there. The lot previously had a home so there is water and sewer connections already there. All set backs were in compliance.

The council approved the permit with Councilman Tony Vipond doing a final inspection after the staking is complete.

The city levy was discussed at the meeting and it was decided to not increase the levy amount for next year. The levy will be sent in with a 0% increase.

Classen presented his report and stated that Heartland estimates the new city pickup will arrive at the end of February. The city will continue to use the current pickup until the new one arrives. At that time,  it will go to the Herman Fire Department or Steffes Auction.

Classen said that he will be ordering a different type of chemical for the treatment plant as the current chemical is not filtering adequately. He is working with Hawkins Chemical Company to find a new product.

The council asked if the Wagner Company would be willing to help out with snow removal if needed this winter. Classen said that they have not been contacted yet so Councilman Jeff Nachbor will give them a call. They will also bring a skid steer into town to do the sidewalks. Nachbor stated that the street sweeping went well.

Even though Mayor Paul Kirkeide was not able to attend the meeting, he offered a report for the council. He said that he had a neutral opinion about the proposal from last month from a fiber group. The council members would like to know what that group would be willing to offer the city for using city property for their equipment.

Joe Staloch of Gigfire presented a plan last month to put up a system for alternative high speed internet in Herman. The company has been attempting to get permission to build a banner board in the Hwy 9 right-of-way. However, MnDot is not giving that approval. Gigfire is asking the city council to grant permission to put the board on city property just off the right-of-way and in front of the water treatment plant.

Gigfire would place their equipment on the banner board and tie it in with Arvig through satellites. Their goal is to offer a lower rate for residents to connect to high speed internet service.

It was discussed to make a proposal for the yearly charge and then see what they countered. The council will make the offer high enough to elicit a high counter offer. The council will start out requesting $5,000 per year for the use of the land to place the banner board. One reference requested by the city was received from the City of Winona.