The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joe Arnzen at 7:00 p.m., on the 10th day of April 2018 in council chambers. Council members present were Roland Ahrendt, Thom Muellner, Bill Pohlmann and Brian Hollenkamp. There were no council members absent. Also in attendance were Chico Hellmann, Lori Hellmann and guests Bryan Bye, Matt Zinniel, Steve Neville and Russ Achman.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the amended agenda. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the minutes of the March 13, 2018 meeting as written. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Steve Neville was in attendance to discuss a building permit application to install a gas cylinder storage to extend approximately eighteen inches into the sidewalk on the east side of the hardware store and to remove tar on the west side of the hardware store from the apartment and cement entire area to the alley. A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve a building permit for a gas cylinder storage and install cement from the apartment to the alley on the west side of the building for Neville Hardware. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Bryan Bye was in attendance to discuss the sewer rehabilitation project. One of the items for council consideration is the proposed storm sewer along County Road 33 from Spruce Street south to 130th Street. Installing storm sewer out to 130th Street would cost approximately $175,000 more for the city portion of the joint project with Todd County. The council discussed other options for handling storm sewer through this section without significantly increasing the cost of the project. Bryan will check with Loren Fellbaum from the Todd County Highway Department to see what other options might be considered.
Bryan also discussed the possibility of purchasing property to move the west lift station into city limits. This would eliminate the need for some of the manholes that currently are between city limits and the west lift station. Easements would need to be obtained for sewer mains to be installed on the south side of State 287 directly to the ponds. The other option is to leave the west lift station where it currently is but easements would need to be obtained as installation of sewer main would be outside of road right-of-way. The council will look into the possibility of easements and discuss at the May meeting.
Jim Tschida was in attendance to let the council know that he would not be able to get his addition and deck built until July or August. He would still get the cement along the driveway done. Jim is seeking permission to remove the trees along the boulevard and plant two new ones in their place. He stated that these trees are leaning and he is concerned that they may break and damage his house. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to allow the trees to be removed in the boulevard with two trees to be planted in their place. The street would need to be blocked off while the trees are being removed. Undercut Tree Care & Removal will provide a certificate of liability insurance before work can begin. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote council members Roland Ahrendt, Thom Muellner, Bill Pohlmann and Brian Hollenkamp voted in favor. Mayor Joe Arnzen voted against. Motion carried.
Leaf and brush pick up is scheduled for Friday, May 4th. Leaves must be bagged and only small bundles of twigs and branches will be accepted.
An estimate was received from Levin Electric for the broken street light by Eagle Auto for $5,650. The individual who damaged the street pole submitted it to their insurance and a check will be issued to the city for the damages.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the fireworks permit for July 21, 2018 as part of the GEMFest 25th Anniversary celebration. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve a donation of $500 to the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club for the fireworks display during GEMFest. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the business internet upgrade for the city office. 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. 2018-03, A Resolution Accepting $50 Donation for Fire Department Equipment in Memory of Jim Walburn. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp 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 Bill Pohlmann to approve Bryan Allen’s resignation from the Grey Eagle Volunteer Fire Department. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Clerk reminded the council that the Board of Equalization meeting for the City of Grey Eagle will be held Thursday, April 12th at 1:00 p.m. A quorum is needed for this meeting. Also, one member of the council in attendance must have completed the training for this meeting.
The council discussed the city sign on the billboard by the Rock Tavern. The council will take a look at the sign and discuss at the May meeting.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve spring spraying by Terrain Aesthetics. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve the ROW Excavation Permit for Arvig to directional bore from the fiber vault behind the hardware store, set up a pedestal in the alleyway behind the funeral home/library and burying a fiber drop to the library at a depth of five feet. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Clerk informed the Council that the August meeting date will need to be changed due to Primary Elections being held. The council will address this at the May meeting.
The council discussed the need to have American Door Works come in and service the Fire Hall door openers and install some antennas so that the doors can be closed when the fire/rescue equipment leave the building.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve Resolution NO. 2018-04, A Resolution Accepting $900 Donation from the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club for Memorial Day activities. A second was made by Thom 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 Bill Pohlmann to approve Resolution NO. 2018-05, A Resolution Accepting $960 Donation from the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club for City Sign Repair. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp 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 following water/wastewater/maintenance items were discussed:
1. The right side of the plow was not working properly, and there is a vibration on the plow truck that will need to be taken care of before the next winter season.
2. The new part time/seasonal employee is working out well.
The Clerk was instructed to proceed with delinquent utilities as allowed by ordinance.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the various fund transfers as follows: $750.67 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund and $106.26 from the General Fund of which $31.26 goes to the Water Fund and $75 goes to the Sewer Fund for Fire Hall and Library utilities. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the payment of bills as listed and to include payment of the following additional items: $2,136.26 to Minnesota Power, $200 to Central Minnesota Credit Union, $73.27 to Central McGowan and $960 to PJ Signs. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 p.m. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The next meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk