The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joseph Arnzen at 7:00 pm on the 8th day of April 2025 in Council Chambers. Council members present were Brad Johnson, Brian Hollenkamp, Roland Ahrendt and Chris Browen. No council members were absent. Also in attendance were Dan Berscheid and Beth Ramacher and guests: Jake Williams, Greg Stang and Lance Chase.
A motion was made by Chris Browen to approve the agenda. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2025 meeting. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Greg Stang, with People Service, was present to discuss water and wastewater reports. Hydrant flushing will be done sometime in April or May. There will be no discharge of the ponds this Spring, unless there is a lot of rain in April and May. Greg will find someone to come and inspect the lift station pumps, which haven’t been inspected since they were installed.
Jake Williams, with Minnesota Rural Water, was present to discuss water and sewer rates. Both rates will need to be raised to have the income cover all related expenses.
Jake inspected a few water gate valve covers around the City. The cost to cut them down is $150 plus any needed parts.
After receiving complaints about the restrooms at Bass Lake and Laughlin Park, the council received a quote from Nelson Sanitation for cleaning them. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to have Nelson Sanitation take over the cleaning effective May 1, 2025. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Quotes from Terrain Aesthetics and Hinman Lawn Service were reviewed. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve Terrain Aesthetics to spray the parks, cemetery and other grass areas around the City buildings for the 2025 season. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Minnesota DNR will fix the boat ramp at Bass Lake; it heaved over the winter. This is scheduled to be done before the fishing opener.
Todd County came out to look at the ditch on County 102 by the park. They have it on their work list for 2025.
Street paving quotes from Bertram Asphalt were reviewed. The Council is tabling this until a future meeting.
The Council was given City Bidding and Contract Requirements put out by the State of Minnesota. These need to be followed when any project is greater than $175,000.
The following first quarter 2025 reports were reviewed: Todd County Sheriff and Utility Transaction History. A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the 1st Quarter Utility Transaction History Report. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members (Brian Hollenkamp and Brad Johnson abstained) voting in favor, motion carried.
Scott Tschida and Sherry Lewis would like to combine parcels 34-0021100, 34-0020900 and 340021200 into one. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to allow the parcels to be combined. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Bill Pohlmann submitted a building permit application to replace landscaping rocks with concrete. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the building permit application. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve Resolution 2025-10: Setting Fees for Past Due Utilities. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-10: RESOLUTION SETTING FEES FOR PAST DUE UTILITIES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025
WHEREAS, the City of Grey Eagle provides essential utility services to its residents, including water, sewer, and other related services; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Grey Eagle to maintain a fair and equitable system for the collection of utility payments to ensure the continued delivery of these services; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the need to establish a clear and effective fee structure for past due utility charges in order to encourage timely payment and to manage overdue accounts efficiently;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREY EAGLE, MINNESOTA AS FOLLOWS:
1. Residents who are 60 days past due on their utility accounts will receive a past due notice, and full payment must be made within 10 business days of receiving the notice.
2. A late payment fee of $5.00 will be assessed on all utility accounts with past due balances.
3. The fees for disconnecting and reconnecting utility services will increase from $25 to $50 for each occurrence.
4. If payment is not received within 10 days after the due date, the City reserves the right to disconnect utility services. A reconnection fee of $50 will be required to re-establish service.
5. The City Council will review these fees periodically to ensure they remain fair and reflect the cost of providing utility services. Adjustments to the fees may be made through a subsequent resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council this 8th day of April 2025
The City will apply for a $2000 Boost Funds for Local Government from Sourcewell for the following: thatcher, tonneau cover, pallet forks and shelving.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the subscription for Esri/ArcGIS software for $925. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Council received an updated Personnel Policy for city employees as well as an updated Standard Operating Procedures for the Fire Department. Council will review and further discussion will be held at the May meeting.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve Resolution 2025-11: Setting Sewer Rates. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-11: A RESOLUTION SETTING SEWER RATES
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Grey Eagle recommends the sanitary sewer rates be re-adjusted to meet operational and capital needs, effective June 1, 2025;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of Grey Eagle, Todd County, State of Minnesota, hereby resolves:
• Residential sewer usage rate will be a flat rate of $50.00 per month;
• Commercial sewer usage rate will be $50.00 per month for the first 10,000 gallons of water used and $1.90 per 1000 gallons thereafter.
Adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council this 8th day of April 2025.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve payment of Claims #3420-3439, totaling $17,801.38 and include additional payments of the following: MN Dept of Health $38.75, MN Power $2665.84, Herdering $500.00 and Quinlivan & Hughes $157.50. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to adjourn the meeting at 8:17pm. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The next regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Council Chambers.
Beth Ramacher, Clerk/Treasurer
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