The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joe Arnzen at 7:00 p.m., on the 15th day of August 2018 in council chambers. Council members present were Roland Ahrendt, Brian Hollenkamp and Bill Pohlmann. Council member Thom Muellner was absent. Also in attendance were Chico Hellmann, Lori Hellmann and guests Sarah Christian, Kristie Kuhlmann and George Eilertson.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann 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 Roland Ahrendt to approve the minutes of the July 10, 2018 meeting as written. 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 building permit application for Jim Brake to move in a 12’3” by 16’3” shed to the back of the existing shed to put four wheelers and lawn mowers in. In the spring, the steel on the new shed will match the steel on the existing shed. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Kristie Kuhlmann was in attendance to discuss the nuisance abatement and the fence. Kristie stated that they were waiting for the contractor to come back to put in the gates and finish the trim. Kristie inquired if the council would dismiss the abatement. According to information received from the City Attorney, the installation of the fence does not dismiss the nuisance abatement process. The Kuhlmann’s would be required to finish the clean-up.
The following water/wastewater/maintenance items were discussed:
1. It was found that a smaller wrench on the gate valve by the old shop will work to turn on or shut off the gate valve as needed.
2. The water tower was cleaned by Water Tower Clean & Coat.
3. A complaint was received regarding people running the stop sign by the lumber yard. It is believed that people can’t see the stop sign because it is too close to the building. Council members are asked to look at the stop sign before the September meeting.
4. Chico reported that the Eagle Auto Repair replaced the brakes, changed the oil and put Freon in the air conditioner.
5. The City of Sauk Centre will come in and clean out gate valves for $120/hr. Chico was instructed to have the necessary gate valves cleaned.
6. There was a question on whether or not it would be legal for a business owner to install security cameras on the outside of their building, where it would show any street or sidewalk activity. The Clerk was instructed to check with the Todd County Sheriff’s Office.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve Resolution No. 2018-10, A Resolution Regarding the Administration of the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
Resolution No. 2018-10
A Resolution Regarding the Administration of the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act of 1991 (WCA) requires local government units (LGUs) to implement the rules and regulations promulgated by the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) pertaining to wetland draining, filling and excavation; and WHEREAS, Minnesota Rules, chapter 8420 have been adopted by BWSR in accordance with the rulemaking provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14, for the purpose of implementing WCA; and WHEREAS, Minnesota Rules 8420.0200, Subpart 1, item E allows a county, city, or town to delegate implementation of chapter 8240 and the act to another governmental entity by the passage of resolutions by both parties; and WHEREAS, both parties must provide notice to BWSR, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Soil and Water Conservation District of the delegation, including a copy of the resolution and a description of the applicable geographic area, within 15 business days of adoption of the resolution.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Grey Eagle councilmembers, that the authority and administrative responsibility to implement WCA as the LGU within the legal boundaries of the City of Grey Eagle is delegated to Todd County as of May 1st, 2018 in accordance with Minnesota Rules, Chapter 8420.
Adopted this 15th day of August, 2018.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve Resolution No. 2018-11, A Resolution Accepting $1,000 Donation from Big Birch Lake Fireworks for Fire Department Equipment. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution may be read in its entirety at the Clerk’s office.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve Resolution No. 2018-12, A Resolution Accepting $75 Donation from Peg and Jon Newberg for Fire Department Equipment in Memory of Romie Gessell Sr. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution may be read in its entirety at the Clerk’s office.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve the Car Show held on September 2, 2018 as a City Festival. 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 closing of Woodman Street South from State Street to Pearl Street and Woodman Street North from State Street to Minnesota Street for the Car Show on September 2, 2018. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve the contract with the Todd County Attorney’s Office. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council had discussion on increasing pay for Mayor and council members as the current rates of pay have been in place for more than 20 years. The proposed increase would be $85 for a regular meeting for the Mayor and $60 for a regular meeting for council members. Currently the Mayor receives $70 for a regular meeting and council members receive $50 for a regular meeting. The matter will be discussed further at the September meeting.
City Hall will be closed August 20th – 24th for employee vacations.
George Eilertson from Northland Securities was in attendance to discuss Interim Financing for the sewer project. The First State Bank of Swanville submitted an interest rate bid for the Interim Financing at 2.8% with no fees, callable at any date and interest will only be accrued on the money that is drawn.
The Interim Financing will be converted to a long term loan with Rural Development once the loan money is used up.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve Resolution No. 2018-13, A Resolution Providing for the Issuance and Sale of a $1,125,000 General Obligation Temporary Sewer Revenue Note, Series 2018A, and Pledging Net Revenues for the Security Thereof. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The fully executed resolution will be attached to the minutes and available in its entirety at the Clerk’s Office.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve Resolution No. 2018-14, Resolution of Sponsorship Authorizing Participation with the Community Concern for Youth Program with Todd-Wadena Community Corrections. 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. 2018-14
Resolution of Sponsorship Authorizing Participation with the Community Concern for Youth Program with Todd-Wadena Community Corrections.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Grey Eagle City Council that Todd County act as sponsoring unit of government for the project entitled Community Concern for Youth to be conducted by Todd-Wadena Community Corrections during the period from 01/01/19 through 12/31/19. Randy Neuman, Chairperson, Todd County Board of Commissioners, is hereby authorized to execute such agreements and funding as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of the Grey Eagle City Council.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Grey Eagle City Council hereby agrees to contribute $328.00 for the project entitled Todd-Wadena Community Concern for Youth during the period 01/01/19 through 12/31/19, which is to be paid on 01/01/19.
It is understood that the Long Prairie-Grey Eagle School Board contributes $3,481.00, and the Long Prairie City Council contributes $2,758.00, for a total community contribution of $6,567.00.
I hereby certify that the above resolution was adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council on August 15th, 2018.
The council discussed the preliminary budget, wage reports and preliminary levy. There was a slight increase in health insurance and a slight decrease in both the Fire Levy and the Street Improvement Bond Levy. The council will review the budget, wage and levy reports. The proposed 2019 Levy would need to be approved at the September meeting and certified to Todd County.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the various fund transfers as follows: $750.67 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund, $116.12 from the General Fund of which $41.12 goes to the Water Fund and $75 goes to the Sewer Fund for Fire Hall and Library utilities and $75,756.50 from Liquor Store Investments to the General Fund for engineer design fees for the sewer project. 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 the payment of bills as listed and to include the payment of the following additional items: $200 to Central Minnesota Credit Union, $1,813.75 to Minnesota Power, $223.45 to Double R Saloon, $1,254.62 to Sourcewell and $150 to MN DNR Waters. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp 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 11, 2018 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk