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*The council was presented with its 2003 audit report. At the end of 2003, the city had over over $1.3 million in cash in its general fund and over $6 million in all its accounts, including those for restricted uses. (Story)

*The council approved setting a special city council meeting on Wednesday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss what, if any, action will be taken toward building an aquatic park in the city. Bonding referendums failed both in the city and in Paynesville Township in April. Members of the township board and the ad hoc aquatic park committee will attend the meeting.

*The council also approved a special meeting on Tuesday, May 25, at 6:30 p.m. at Hilltop Restaurant for water quality training. Community leaders - including representatives from the city, from the township, from the Koronis Lake Association, and from the North Fork Crow River Watershed District - will participate in the training.

*The council approved setting a public hearing regarding a leaf burning ban in the city for Wednesday, June 9, at 7 p.m. The city is considering the ban because burning leaves can be dangerous and causes pollution. With a city compost site available to area residents, city officials believe burning leaves is unnecessary. Currently, the city allows burning in the fall.

*The council approved an annual $10,000 contribution to the PNLS Hockey Association in return for free open skating at the Koronis Civic Arena and for providing helpers at the city compost site.

*The council also approved a $2,500 contribution to the Koronis Hills Snowmobile Club for the maintenance of snowmobile trails.

*The city approved purchasing a computer module and an accounting program to help the city comply with the state's new reporting requirements. The cost is $5,335, plus travel expenses for training.

*The council also approved purchasing a computer program to track depreciation of city assets, also a new state requirement, for $1,689, plus travel expenses for training.

*The council approved spending up to $2,000 to replace one planter and a tree in the downtown area. All of the planters downtown are deteriorating, and eventually all will need to be replaced, according to public works director Ron Mergen. In the future, the city will replace one or two planters and trees each year.

*The council approved a bid of $1,400 from Caldwell Asphalt, to widen a driveway at the Paynesville Municipal Airport.

*The council heard an update from city engineer Pete Carlson regarding the 2004 street improvement project. Work at the intersection of Washburne Avenue and Railroad Street is finished, and work will now move to the remainder of Railroad Street.

Carlson also informed the council that the last layer of asphalt should be applied to Lake Avenue this week.

*The council approved closing Washburne Avenue from Mill Street to Main Street for the Peeper's Distinctive Eyewear's picnic and car show during Town and Country Days on Sunday, June 20, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. The street closing is contingent on the barricades being easily removed for quick access to the ambulance garage and the fire hall.

*The council approved a proclamation declaring Saturday, May 15, as Kid's Day in Paynesville. This action was taken in conjunction with the Kid's Day International celebration hosted by Paynesville Chiropractic.