Grey Eagle City • June 10, 2014

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 10th day of June, 2014 in council chambers. Council members present were Ralph Muellner and Dennis Barrett. Council members Thom Muellner and Andrea Kraska were absent. Also in attendance were Lori Hellmann and guests Earl Hoffman, Ervin Alt, Luella Asmus, Tom Roe, Al and Janet Hoffman, Lanae McDermond, Jeremy Kerzman and Ken Messer.
A motion was made by Dennis Barrett to approve the amended agenda. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to approve the minutes of the May 13, 2014 meeting as written. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council discussed the recent flooding where approximately seven inches of rain fell in a twenty four hour period. Andy was in town for most of the day on Saturday monitoring the lift stations and making sure that both pumps to each lift station were running to alleviate the overwhelmed sanitary sewer system. There was never a time when the pumps stopped working and there were no power outages. Transferring water from the east lift station to a manhole that pumps to the west lift station was done once the water levels at the west lift station were low enough to handle the additional water. This transferring of water could not have been done any sooner without causing any further water issues for homeowners. Mayor Jim Gohman reminded residents that it is illegal to pump sump pumps into the sanitary sewer system. When sump pumps are allowed to pump into the sanitary sewer system, it only adds to the issues that arise from an already overwhelmed system when that much rain has fallen in a short period of time. Andy was in contact with the MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency), to obtain information on what could be done during flooding situations to help prevent flooding to homes. The rules on bypassing are pretty clear and should only be done as a last resort measure. The city spent approximately $30,000 on a SCADA system, which allows Andy the ability to monitor both lift stations and the water plant from any computer and his phone at all times. The city is also in the process of having a generator permanently installed by the water plant, which will automatically kick on when there is a power outage which will cost approximately $30,000.
A motion was made by Jim Gohman to send letters to residents, notifying them that an inspection for sump pumps will take place within the next 60 days. During this inspection, anyone found to be pumping their sump pump into the sanitary sewer system will be required to reroute the sump pumps immediately. Any resident or business that does not allow the inspection will be assessed $100 surcharge on their utility bill each month until an inspection has been completed. Upon a roll call vote, the following voted in favor: Dennis Barrett, Ralph Muellner and Jim Gohman. No members voted against. Motion carried. The clerk will contact the City Attorney regarding inspections and surcharge as it pertains to city ordinance and inspections will take place as soon as possible.
Mayor Jim Gohman informed the council of building permits that he approved in the past month for the following: Chris Berger for a patio, Brandon Kelly for an extension of a patio with a 4×8 privacy fence and cement for the dog kennel, and for Jeremy Kerzman for cement aprons for his garage. These permits were issued because it was clear there would be no issues regarding setbacks.
A motion was made by Jim Gohman to approve a building permit for Jeremy Kerzman to tar the remaining portion of the driveway for his shed out to the road. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon roll call vote, the following members voted in favor: Dennis Barrett, Ralph Muellner and Jim Gohman. There were no members voting against the motion. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to approve a building permit for Earl Hoffman to build a 24’x14’ garage with a concrete floor. A second was made Dennis Barrett and upon roll call vote, the following members voted in favor: Dennis Barrett, Ralph Muellner and Jim Gohman. There were no members voting against the motion. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Jim Gohman, to rescind the motion of the May 13, 2014 approving the building of an 11×11 deck for Ken Messer. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon roll call vote, the following voted in favor: Dennis Barrett, Ralph Muellner and Jim Gohman. There were no members voting against the motion. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Jim Gohman to approve the moving of a deck from Ken Messer’s residence to the rental property owned by Ken across the street. An 8’x10’ deck would be placed on the southeast side and 8’x not to exceed 16’ would be placed on the north side with completion date by July 1, 2014 or building permit would be null and void. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon roll call vote, the following voted in favor: Dennis Barrett, Ralph Muellner and Jim Gohman. There were no members voting against the motion. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to approve Ken moving the existing shed on Ken Messer’s rental property to a new location that would be 13’ off the original property line to the west and removing the lean to. The shed would be sided with painted steel and roofing to match the house. A second was made by Jim Gohman and upon roll call vote, the following members voted in favor: Dennis Barrett, Ralph Muellner and Jim Gohman. There were no members voting against the motion. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Jim Gohman to approve the installation of a culvert along Minnesota Street for Ken Messer’s rental property. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon roll call vote, the following members voted against: Dennis Barrett, Ralph Muellner and Jim Gohman. There were no members voting in favor of the motion. Motion failed.
Ken Messer was seeking approval for the building of a fence that would run north and south on the west side of his rental property. Ken was unsure of what materials he would be specifically using, so the matter was tabled until more information may be obtained and will be revisited at the July meeting.
Ken Messer was seeking approval for the building of a 24’x24’ garage with concrete for his rental property. Ken was unsure of what materials would be used so that matter was tabled until more information may be obtained and will be revisited at the July meeting.
A motion was made by Jim Gohman to approve a building permit for Ken Messer to install a privacy fence with white plastic material that would run east and west at his residence. The fence would be approximately 14’-16’ off the alley with a gate installed on the south side of the lean. On roll call vote, the following members voted in favor: Dennis Barrett, Ralph Muellner and Jim Gohman. There were no members voting against the motion. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to approve a temporary liquor license for the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club for GEMFest, which will be held July 18, 19 and 20th. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
There is a window at the Library that is cracked and needs to be replaced. The council will look over the window and the clerk will try to obtain quotes on getting it replaced.
A motion was made by Dennis Barrett to approve Resolution No. 2014-08, A Resolution Approving a Gambling Premise Permit for the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club GEMFest Raffle. 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.
An estimate to replace the flag pole at the Fire Hall was obtained from Eagle Fabricating. The matter was tabled to obtain more information and will be revisited at the July meeting.
City Hall will be closed July 14 through July 18 due to Clerk’s vacation. Voice mail and email will be monitored during these dates and emergencies will be handled accordingly.
The council discussed the dampness of Old City Hall. Fans will be put up and windows open to allow for circulation until Andy returns and can install dehumidifiers. There were no yard clean ups for council consideration.
The Clerk will obtain a quote for stripping/finishing the floors for the council meeting room and the fire department meeting room.
The dates for filing for Mayor and two City Council seats will be July 29th through August 12th.
Ralph Muellner updated the council on the generator. The cement pad is in and the transfer switches will be installed as soon as they come in.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to submit a government request form to the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club for Park Maintenance for $3,500. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Dennis Barrett informed the council that Village View will be installing a sprinkler system in the building. A gate valve needs to be installed and city staff must be on hand at the time of the connection to the water supply.
The Clerk was instructed to proceed with delinquent utilities 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 $82.82 from the General Fund of which $24.82 goes to the Water Fund and $58 goes to the Sewer Fund for Fire Hall and Library utilities. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Dennis Barrett to pay the bills as listed and to include payment of the following: $515 to Chris’ Country Store, $1,468 to Grey Eagle Volunteer Firefighters Relief Association, and $155 to Volunteer Firefighter’s Benefit Association. A second was made by Jim Gohman and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Dennis Barrett to adjourn at 9:32 p.m. A second was made by Ralph Muellner 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, July 8, 2014 in council chambers. Lori Hellmann, Clerk