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 November, 2015 in council chambers. Council members present were Roland Ahrendt, Thom Muellner and Joe Arnzen. Council member Ralph Muellner was absent. Also in attendance were Chico Hellmann, Lori Hellmann and guess Bryan Bye of Widseth Smith Nolting, Loren Roe, Kurt Louwagie of Bolton And Menk and Scott Hedlund of SEH.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the amended agenda. 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 October 13, 2015 meeting as written. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the minutes of the November 4, 2015 special meeting as written. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Mayor Jim Gohman thanked the three engineering firms, Widseth Smith Nolting, SEH and Bolton and Menk for the great presentations at the special meeting on November 4, 2015. All three firms have enough expertise and experience to provide for the needs of the City. The Mayor then asked the council for their input on who they would like to select as City Engineer. Mayor Jim Gohman and council member Joe Arnzen cast their vote for SEH while council members Thom Muellner and Roland Ahrendt cast their vote for Widseth Smith Nolting. A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to table the decision and call for a special meeting to be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 6:00 p.m., in council chambers. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council received a request from the Race on Trace committee to have the Rescue Rig and Fire Department members on hand for the event. The committee will work with Fire Chief Bill Berscheit to set up times. The council briefly discussed having the Fire Department and Rescue Rig for the Vintage Snowmobile Races. Last year two Fire Department members attended two of the races for four hours each with the man hour costs paid by the City. Requests of this type must come to the council before any equipment or man hours are used.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve Resolution No. 2015-15, Accepting $3,835.69 Donation from John and Kay Enright for AED Equipment for the Fire Department in memory of Mrs. Enright. A second was made by Joe Arnzen 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.
The council has received numerous complaints on the Grey Eagle Surplus property. The council discussed the complaints, and how they apply to the nuisance ordinance. As instructed by the City Attorney, photos were taken without going on the property. Section 9,3 (o) of the nuisance ordinance states “depositing of, permitting or failing to remove, garbage, trash, rubbish, bottles, cans, discarded machinery, household appliances, automobile bodies, and any other refuse on any property, including large quantities of organic debris and materials that accumulated by other than natural means, except neatly maintained compost piles”. Specifically, the City has determined the above property was found to have the following items upon or around the building structure:
1. Fluids draining from vehicles;
2. Appliances;
3. Automobile bodies, including tires and miscellaneous parts;
4. Burned out motor home; and
5. Unsecured fuel barrels.
The Council determined the property is in violation of the Grey Eagle City Code as set forth herein. The council is prepared to move forward with section 9.5, Abatement, if the property is not cleaned up.
Mayor Jim Gohman reminded the council of the Fire Board meeting that will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. If all council members wish to attend the meeting, it will need to be posted as a special meeting three days prior. Mayor Jim Gohman and Council Member Joe Arnzen will attend the meeting.
Chico informed the council that everything is done in preparation for the winter season.
The council tabled the placement of the community sign until more information may be obtained.
The council discussed advertising for a seasonal employee.
The council discussed Ken Messer blading the alley and digging out gravel and putting in black dirt. Mr. Messer was made to remove the black dirt under direction of City employee. Later Mr. Messer was observed moving class five from his driveway into the alley. He was ordered by a council member to stop immediately. Any work in the alley will be done by the City only. Any requests for work done must come before the city council.
There were no building permits for council consideration.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the use of council chambers for a DFL Caucus to be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 from 6:00 p.m., – 9:00 p.m. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to use $17,422 from the City Improvement Projects Fund, along with $3,000 from the sale of the old generator for the purchase of the new generator for the West Lift Station. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve Resolution No. 2015-16, A Resolution Accepting $1,500 Lions Donation for the Empty Stocking Program. A second was made by Joe Arnzen 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.
The Clerk was instructed to contact Cans R Us to discontinue cleaning the bathroom at Laughlin Park until spring.
The Clerk was instructed to proceed with delinquent utility bills as allowed by ordinance.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the various fund transfers as follows: $748.26 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund, $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, and $301.20 from the Sewer Fund to the Sewer Rehab Fund. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to pay the bills as presented and to include the payment of the following additional items: $25 to Jesse Erickson, $2,239 to Stein Tree Contracting and $71.98 to Central McGowan. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to adjourn at 9:01 p.m. A second was made by Joe Arnzen 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, December 8, 2015 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk