The regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Joseph Arnzen at 7:00 p.m., on the 14th day of December 2021 in council chambers. Council members present were Brad Johnson, Bill Pohlmann, Roland Ahrendt and Brian Hollenkamp.
There were no council members absent. Also in attendance were John Call, Lori Hellmann and guests Bryan Bye, Matt Lanoue and Bruce Zachman.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the amended agenda. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the minutes of the November 9, 2021 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 Roland Ahrendt to approve the minutes of the December 7, 2021 public hearing as written. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The following maintenance items were reported to the council:
1. The vacuum cleaner at the Library needs to be replaced.
2. The Christmas decorations on the two blocks of main street should stay up at least until January 7th-10th.
3. The street light by Chris’ Country Store works off and on. John was instructed to have Bitz Electric look at it.
4. The City Clerk was instructed to purchase large totes to put the garland in once it is taken down.
The City Council received a letter from Long Prairie Sanitation requesting a $1.50 increase per cart for residential customers. The request comes after the Todd County Board of Commissioners voted to raise the tipping fee charged to the haulers as well as the rising cost in fuel prices.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve Resolution No. 2021-08, A Resolution Setting Garbage Rates. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and a roll call vote was taken. Bill Pohlmann–aye, Brian Hollenkamp-aye, Brad Johnson–aye, Roland Ahrendt–aye, Joe Arnzen– nay. Motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-08: A RESOLUTION SETTING GARBAGE RATES
WHEREAS, the City of Grey Eagle received a written request by Long Prairie Sanitation to adjust the garbage rates to offset the cost of an increase in tipping fees and rising fuel costs; and
WHEREAS, the Grey Eagle City Council has been advised that the garbage rates need to be set by resolution;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Grey Eagle City Council unanimously approved to set the garbage rates at the December 14th Council Meeting and those new rates will be reflected on the bills printed February 1, 2021:
• The garbage rate for a 65 gallon cart will increase to $20.50 ; and
• The garbage rate for 2 – 65 gallon carts will increase to $32.00; and
• The garbage rate for a 96 gallon cart will increase to $26.50.
Approved by the Grey Eagle City Council the 14th day of December, 2021.
Bryan Bye updated the City Council on the following sewer project:
1. The water meter bids were opened on December 8, 2021. Bryan recommends the City Council award the project with the lowest bid to Dakota Supply Group for $113,778.20.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to award the water meter project with the lowest bid of $113,778.20 to Dakota Supply Group. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
2. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve PPE #11 to C&L Excavating for $23,772.80. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve Ordinance No. 2021-01, An Ordinance Regulating Garages, Storage Sheds and Storage Facilities. A second was made by Brad Johnson and a roll call vote was taken. Roland Ahrendt–aye, Brad Johnson–aye, Brian Hollenkamp–aye, Bill Pohlmann–aye, Joe Arnzen–aye. Motion carried. The Ordinance is as follows:
Ordinance 2021-01: An Ordinance Regulating Garages, Storage Sheds and Storage Facilities
WHEREAS, the City of Grey Eagle imposed a moratorium on the erection of garages, storage sheds, storage units and storage facilities based on a dwindling supply of lots suitable for residential development; and
WHEREAS, the City of Grey Eagle, following public hearing, desires to adopt a comprehensive ordinance regulating garages, storage sheds, storage units and storage facilities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Grey Eagle desires to regulate garages and storage sheds and ban storage units and storage facilities.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREY EAGLE, TODD COUNTY, MINNESOTA DOES ORDAIN:
1. The following Code sections are hereby adopted: Section – Garages and Storage
13.30 Findings. The City Council hereby finds that the number of lots suitable for development into single family residences is limited and it is a goal of the City Council to encourage residential development. The City Council also finds that the erection of garages, storage facilities, storage sheds and storage units is not a desirable use of the remaining undeveloped lots located within the city limits.
13.31 Definitions. The following terms are defined as:
(A) Garage: A separate building or separate portion of a residential dwelling which is intended for and used to store the private passenger vehicles of the family or families living on the premises.
(B) Storage Facility: Any building or facility designed and used for the purpose of renting or leasing individual storage space to occupants who are to have access to such facility for the purpose of storing and removing personal property.
(C) Storage Shed: A separate building which is intended to be used for the purpose of storing personal property owned by the occupant of the premises.
(D) Storage Unit: An individual space, locker, area or unit located at a storage facility and available for rent or lease.
13.32 Prohibition. The erection of garages, storage facilities and storage sheds on vacant lots is prohibited.
13.33 Accessory Use. The erection of garages and storage sheds are permitted on lots that already contain a residential dwelling and lots that adjoin a lot with a residential dwelling provided the lots are combined as one tax parcel. Before the erection of a garage or storage shed a building permit must be obtained. Any permitted garage or storage shed shall meet the performance standards contained herein.
13.34 Performance Standards. The following shall apply to all garages and storage, not connected to a single family residence:
(A) A garage shall not exceed 3,200 square feet in size. A storage shed shall not exceed 200 square feet in size.
(B) The height of any garage wall shall not exceed 14 feet and a storage shed wall shall not exceed 8 feet.
(C) The longest side of any garage wall shall not exceed 70 feet in length and a storage shed wall shall not exceed 20 feet in length.
(D) Garages, unless attached to a single-family residence, shall not have more than four doors for the entry of passenger vehicles.
(E) The grading of any lot upon which a garage or storage shed is permitted shall be prepared in such a manner to not create water runoff onto an adjoining parcel of land.
Passed and adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council this 14th day of December 2021.
The Council once again discussed the sewer use charge for the Guest House on State Street. When new water mains were put in, a curb stop was not installed to the building without approval or knowledge of the City Council. Water was then connected with the store water service. The sewer service charges stand.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve Resolution No. 2021-06, A Resolution Re-establishing the Polling Precinct and Precinct Location for the City of Grey Eagle. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
Resolution No. 2021-06, A Resolution Re-Establishing the Polling Precinct and Precinct Location for the City of Grey Eagle
WHEREAS, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREY EAGLE, MINNESOTA (“Council” and “City”), pursuant to Minnesota
Statute 204B.14, is required to establish or re-establish the boundaries of the election precincts within the municipality following the redistricting of the Legislature; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Minnesota has been redistricted; and
WHEREAS, the precinct boundaries must be re-established within 60 days of the time when Legislature has been redistricted or at least 19 weeks before the State Primary, whichever comes first.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREY EAGLE that the following precinct and polling location is hereby re-established as:
Grey Eagle City Hall, 202 Woodman Street South, Grey Eagle, MN 56336
Adopted this 14th day of December, 2021.
The council will set up a schedule for employee reviews every six months. These reviews will be conducted by two council members and will aid in allowing employees an opportunity to discuss concerns and/or issues. Any issues or concerns will be addressed by the full council.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to increase maintenance employees wage 50 cents per hour and increase the clerk wage $1.00/hour effective January 1, 2022. 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 Resolution No. 2021-07, A Resolution Adopting Final Levy. 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. 2021-07
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING FINAL LEVY PAYABLE IN 2022
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following final levy for 2022 was approved and adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council on this 14th day of December, 2021.
FUND LEVY AMOUNT % OF TOTAL
GENERAL $76,655.00 56
FIRE $12,971.00 9
ST IMP PROJECT $17,363.00 12
STREET RESTORATION $32,250.00 23
TOTAL $139,239.00 100
The Clerk reported that the yearly support fees for UBMax are due and included in the bills for council approval.
The Clerk received a phone call from Tryg Hanson regarding the pier at Bass Lake access. The pier has been in place for almost 30 years and is coming to the end of its anticipated life span. If the council would be willing to make a contribution of money and/or labor in kind, that could potentially move up the replacement of our pier on the DNR list.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve $2,000 in monetary donation AND labor in kind for the Bass Lake Pier replacement. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The City Council discussed snow removal in the City. City employees will only plow snow when there is 2” of snow or more. If City employees are not plowing snow, then the businesses along those two blocks of State Street (Main Street) will be required to clean the snow from the sidewalks along their establishment. The Council would like to remind residents that city liability insurance will not cover those individuals who take it upon themselves to clean the sidewalks and damage the property of others. The Council would also like residents and business owners to be aware that it is illegal to plow/blow/push snow across any public roadway, into any public roadway or onto someone else’s private property or to block any culverts/storm sewers. If you do not have a place to put the snow from your residence or establishment, it is up to you to have it removed.
The Clerk was instructed to order one more snowflake.
The City Council will make a plan on the future of the old Village Hall.
There were no building permits for council consideration.
The Council instructed the Clerk to contact Cans R Us to discontinue service to the Laughlin Park restroom until spring.
The Council also discussed the complaints regarding the upkeep on the Bass Lake restroom and requested that Cans R Us attend the January Council meeting to discuss further.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the payment of claims #2298-#2317 and to include payment of the following additional items: $381.78 added to Midwest Machinery, $3,459 to Central Lakes Landscape and Construction and $2,313 to Long Prairie Sanitation. 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 8:31 p.m. 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 on January 11, 2022 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk
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