The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Jim Gohman at 7:00 p.m., on the 9th day of September, 2014 in council chambers. Council members present were Ralph Muellner, Thom Muellner, Dennis Barrett and Andrea Kraska. There were no council members absent. Also in attendance were Lori Hellmann, Andy Bartkowicz and guests Luella Asmus, Bob and Jeri Ahrens and Ken Messer.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the amended agenda. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the minutes of the August 13, 2014 council meeting as written. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Luella Asmus discussed water drainage issues. Andy was instructed to look at the storm sewer located by the tennis courts
Ken Messer discussed water drainage with several properties in the area of his rental property. All parties involved would need to be in agreement before any excavating could take place. The agreement would need to be notarized and submitted to the council. All property lines would need to be clearly established by locating lot markers or having a completed survey.
Ken Messer also discussed the ditch along Minnesota Street along his rental property. The culvert on Woodman Street needs to stay open and the ditch needs to be as it was prior to any excavating.
Bob and Jeri Ahrens were in attendance to obtain approval to move in a new modular home placed on a new full basement. The current sewer service line would be replaced at the time the work is being done. A motion was made by Andrea Kraska to approve the building permit application for Bob and Jeri Ahrens to install a new modular home with a new full basement and the removal of the old home. Setback requirements are twenty five feet west from the edge of Bovee Street South, and five feet from any adjoining property. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The following water/wastewater/maintenance items were discussed:
1. Andy was instructed to contact the City of Long Prairie to make arrangements to have the sewer main from The Junction to Cartway Road jetted this fall.
2. The bathrooms located by the softball fields will need to be winterized and closed up for the season. The bathroom by the picnic shelter will remain open for the time being.
3. Discontinue service for the bathroom at Laughlin Park effective November 1, 2014. Andy will monitor this bathroom during the winter months.
4. The Lions Club would like to trim some trees where the tent is set up by the tractor pull site. Lion’s club members will do the work if city staff would haul away the brush.
5. Sump Pump inspections will need to take place. A letter will be composed and sent to residents notifying them of the inspection and the time frame in which they will be completed.
The council discussed having a fall area wide clean up. The matter was tabled but will be revisited in the spring. There were no yard clean-ups for council consideration.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve Resolution No. 2014-14, A Resolution Accepting $1,623.15 Lions Club Donation for Community Appreciation. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The above stated resolution may be read in its entirety at the Clerk’s office.
A motion was made by Andrea Kraska to approve Resolution No. 2014-15, A Resolution Accepting $2,750 Lions Club Donation for Fire Department Equipment. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The above stated resolution may be read in its entirety at the Clerk’s office.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the 2015 Proposed Budget as presented. A second was made by Andrea Kraska and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Dennis Barrett to approve Resolution No. 2014-16, A Resolution Approving 2015 Proposed Levy. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
A Resolution Adopting Proposed Levy Payable in 2015: Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the following proposed budget for 2015 was approved and adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council on this 9th day of September, 2015. Levy Payable In 2015
Fund Levy Amount % of Total
General $60,392.00 65
Fire $13,580.00 14
Street Imp Proj. $18,402.00 21
Total $92,374.00 100
Adopted this 9th day of September, 2014.
The Clerk was instructed to make contact with Greater MN Gas to see if they would attend the October council meeting. The council would like an update on how things are going and what kind of time frame we would be looking at for obtaining natural gas for the city.
The Mayor updated the council on the Labor Day weekend car show and tractor pull. There was a good turn-out for the car show and was well received. The tractor pull had good attendance with 147 total pulls. The Mayor wishes to thank the organizations that help keep this City vibrant.
The Clerk was instructed to proceed with delinquent utility bills as allowed by ordinance.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to approve the various fund transfers as follows: $768.36 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund, and $83.03 from the General Fund, of which $25.03 goes to the Water Fund and $58 goes to the Sewer Fund for Fire Hall and Library utilities. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Andrea Kraska to approve the payment of bills as listed. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The next regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 in council chambers. Lori Hellmann, Clerk