The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Jim Gohman at 7:00 p.m., on the 11th day of August, 2015. Council members present were Ralph Muellner, Thom Muellner and Joe Arnzen. Council member Roland Ahrendt was absent. Also in attendance were Chico Hellmann, Lori Hellmann and guests Bob Lefavor, Pat Conroy, Craig Tschida, Vance Johnson and Jessica Tschida.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner 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 Thom Muellner to approve the minutes of the July 14, 2015 council meeting as written. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Bob Lefavor requested a building permit for the following items: installing an 8’x8’ garage door on the north wall behind the stage, installing an 8’x8’garage door behind the building that was formerly a walk in cooler, installing a concrete wall with exterior door on existing exterior stairways going into the locker room, installing exhaust fans in each stairwell to help dry out spaces, and to install two 18’x20’ garage doors in the east wall of the old gym. A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve the request for the items as listed. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Pat Conroy and Craig Tschida of Widseth, Smith and Nolting provided the council with some preliminary information ahead of the work session scheduled for August 18, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
The following water/sewer/maintenance items were discussed:
1. The generator has been installed at the west lift station. It is not functional as yet, as they are waiting for a switch that would allow for a “soft start” of the pumps.
2. Jim’s Electric converted the generator at the east lift station to natural gas.
3. Water tower cleaning will start in the next few days.
4. Ralph Freeman informed Chico of a dead elm tree at Lakeview Cemetery on the south side, adjoining his property. Ralph would have the tree removed by a licensed contractor but would like the city to share the costs. A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to pay up to $400 for tree removal after verification of the contractor being licensed and carrying proper insurance. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to sell the old tractor generator to Jim’s Electric for $3,000. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council reviewed the preliminary 2016 budget.
The city has received money from the Small Cities Assistance Account. This money is for cities under 5,000 populations to help with maintaining streets. The first payment was received with the July LGA payment with the second payment to be received with the December LGA payment.
City Hall will be closed August 14, 17, 20 and 21.
The council discussed moving the box that runs the siren from the Fire Hall to the old shop. This would enable the wire to be removed from the power pole owned by Minnesota Power and still allow the siren to be set off by the city if needed.
There were no yard clean ups for council consideration.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the closing of Woodman Street South from Spruce Street East to Pearl Street East on Saturday, August 15, 2015 for the Fire Relief Association Corn Feed. 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 closing of Woodman Street South from State Street East to Spruce Street East, and Woodman Street North from State Street East to Minnesota Street East on Sunday, September 6, 2015 for the Car Show. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to approve a temporary liquor license for the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club for September 6th and 7th for the car show and tractor pull. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to approve the contract with the Todd County Attorney. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council discussed the relocation of the community sign. The council will look at new locations and discuss at the September meeting.
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, $3,121.34 from the Water Fund to the Street Improvement Debt Service Fund, $1,301.29 from the Sewer Fund to the Street Improvement Debt Service Fund, $8,704.13 from the Sewer Fund to the PFA Debt Service Fund, and $87.61 from the General Fund of which $28.11 goes to the Water Fund and $59.50 goes to the Sewer Fund for Fire Hall and Library utilities. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to pay the bills as listed and to include payment of the additional items as follows: $2,000 to Sam Weulander, and $258 to I State Truck Center. 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 adjourn at 9:03 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, September 8, 2015 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk