These are unapproved minutes.
The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Jim Gohman at 7:00 p.m., on the 8th day of December, 2015 in council chambers. Council members present were Roland Ahrendt and Joe Arnzen. Council members absent were Ralph Muellner and Thom Muellner. Also in attendance were Chico Hellmann, Lori Hellmann and guests Charla Bueckers, Butch Bauer, Bryan Bye, Craig Tschida, Bob Lefavor, Ken Messer and Bill Berscheit.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the agenda as submitted. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve the minutes of the November 10, 2015 meeting as written. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve the minutes of the November 17, 2015 special meeting as written. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Charla Bueckers of Tom’s Refuse was in attendance to discuss the Todd County tipping fees and the possibility of early contract renewal. Todd County tipping fees are increasing from $65 a ton to $90 a ton, for garbage haulers. Tom’s Refuse is requesting an increase of $3.00 per resident effective January 1, 2016. Tom’s Refuse is also requesting early contract renewal. The current contract ends on May 31, 2017, with contracts up for renewal every five years. They are seeking early contract renewal before they commit to making large equipment purchases.
A motion was made by Jim Gohman to approve the $3.00 rate increase per residential customer as requested from Tom’s Refuse, due to the increase of Todd County tipping fees from $65 per ton to $90 per ton. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council tabled the early contract renewal request until the May meeting.
Bryan Bye of Widseth Smith Nolting presented the council with a contract for engineering services. Bryan discussed the costs for a preliminary engineering report and environmental report as well as application to the Small Cities Development Program. Preliminary engineering and grant application costs, if the project moves forward, would be reimbursable with project funds. WSN only would bill out for the percentage of work completed. If the project does not move forward, the city would only be out the costs of developing the preliminary and environmental reports.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve contract as written with Widseth Smith Nolting. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Bob Lefavor was in attendance regarding the complaints received on the Grey Eagle Surplus property. Bob reported that product is coming in faster than going out. Starting January 1, 2016 there will be one full time and one part time person working on dismantling and sales, two people will be working on internet marketing, with Bob and two other individuals that would be working on the weekends.
With scrap metal down to nothing, they are working to push more parts. There was some discussion on the possibility of installing a fence both for safety and appearances. The council also discussed concerns regarding reclaiming fluids from vehicles. Bob assured the council that all motor and trannies that are pulled will no longer be done outside.
The council discussed the placement of the community sign. It was the consensus of the council to do nothing at this time.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the liquor license application for the Double R Saloon. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve the 3.2 liquor license application for the Junction. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve tobacco licenses for The Junction, Double R Saloon, Chris’ Country Store and Grey Eagle Gas and Grocery. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Ken Messer had a building permit to install a privacy fence with two gates on his property that expired in July. The fence was installed but not the gates. A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve a building permit to Ken Messer to install two gates on the privacy fence. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The following water/wastewater/maintenance items were reported:
1. Water and sewer lines were installed at 218 Woodman Street North. The culvert under the driveway is in bad condition and will be replaced by the property owner.
2. The light pole was installed by Minnesota Power on Ward Street West.
3. Blue paint marks out the property owned by the city across from the Junction.
Mayor Jim Gohman took the opportunity to thank city employees, and council for a great job during this past year.
Ken Messer was in attendance to request that class five be put in the alley between State Street and Minnesota Street. The council informed Ken that it wouldn’t do any good to put in class five this time of year because it would be plowed away during snow removal. They would consider putting class five in the alley in the spring.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve Resolution No. 2015-18, A Resolution Approving the Final Levy for 2016. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
Resolution No. 2015-18: A Resolution Adopting Final Levy Payable in 2016.
Therefore, Be It Resolved that the following final levy for 2016 was approved by the Grey Eagle City Council on this 8th day of December, 2015.
Levy Payable in 2016
Fund Levy Amount % of Total
General $60,120.00 65
Fire $13,752.00 14
Street Imp. Proj. $18,173.00 21
Total $92,045.00 100
Adopted on this 8th day of December, 2015.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve various fund transfers as follows: $748.26 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund and $87.41 from the General Fund of which $27.91 goes to the Water Fund and $59.50 goes to the Sewer Fund for Fire Hall and Library utilities. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve payment of the bills as listed and to include payment of the following additional items: $2,869.07 to Central Lakes Landscape and Construction and $534 to Granite Electronics. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to adjourn at 8:34 p.m. A second was made by Jim Gohman 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, January 12, 2016 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk