The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joseph Arnzen at 7:00 pm on the 13th of February 2024 in Council Chambers. Council members present were Brad Johnson, Brian Hollenkamp and Chris Browen. Council member Roland Ahrendt was absent. Also in attendance were Beth Ramacher and guest, Greg Stang.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson 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 January 9th meeting. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A public hearing was held to discuss vacating an alley running down the middle of Block 1, Callahan’s Addition. No residents were present for this hearing. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to close the public hearing. 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 approve Resolution No. 2024-05: Vacating an Alley Running Down the Middle of Block 1, Callahan’s Addition. 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. 2024-05: A RESOLUTION VACATING AN ALLEY RUNNING DOWN THE MIDDLE OF BLOCK 1, CALLAHAN’S ADDITION.
WHEREAS, the City Council previously passed Resolution No. 2024-04 noting its interest in vacating pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 412. an alley running down the middle of Block 1, Callahan’s Addition legally described as:
An alley located in Block 1 of Callahan’s Addition to Grey Eagle, more particularly described as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of Lot 10; thence running south along the east lines of Lots 10, 9, 8, 7 and 6 to the southeast corner of Lot 6; thence east to the southwest corner of Lot 5; thence running north along the west lines of Lots 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 to the northwest corner of Lot 1; thence west to the northeast corner of Lot 10, being the point of beginning, all within Block 1 of Callahan’s Addition to Grey Eagle.
However, reserving unto the City of Grey Eagle an easement for utility purposes, over, under and through the above described alley and setting a public hearing to consider the vacation of such alley; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing to consider the vacation of such street was held on the 13th day of February 2024, before the City Council in the City Hall located 202 Woodman Street South, Grey Eagle, MN 56336 at 7:00 pm after due published and posted notice had been given, as well as personal mailed notice to all affected property owners by the City Clerk on the 9th day of January 2024 and all interested and affected persons were given an opportunity to voice their concerns and be heard; and
WHEREAS, any person, corporation or public body owning or controlling easements contained upon the property vacated, reserves the right to continue maintaining the same or to enter upon such way or portion thereof vacated to maintain, repair, replace or otherwise attend thereto; and
WHEREAS, the Council in its discretion has determined that the vacation will benefit the public interest because the alleys are not being used by the City and economic development will occur with their vacation; and
WHEREAS, four-fifths of all members of the City Council concur in this resolution;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREY EAGLE, MINNESOTA AS FOLLOWS:
That such vacation is hereby granted and the alley described as follows is hereby vacated:
An alley located in Block 1 of Callahan’s Addition to Grey Eagle, more particularly described as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of Lot 10; thence running south along the east lines of Lots 10, 9, 8, 7 and 6 to the southeast corner of Lot 6; thence east to the southwest corner of Lot 5; thence running north along the west lines of Lots 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 to the northwest corner of Lot 1; thence west to the northeast corner of Lot 10, being the point of beginning, all within Block 1 of Callahan’s Addition to Grey Eagle.
However, reserving unto the City of Grey Eagle an easement for utility purposes, over, under and through the above described alley.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to sign all documents necessary to effectuate the intent of this resolution and file a notice of this vacation as required by law.
Passed by the City Council of Grey Eagle, Minnesota this 13th day of February 2024.
Greg Stang, from PeopleService, was present to discuss various water and wastewater items. There was a recent freeze up in the chemical room. Additional outlets will be hardwired to eliminate extension cords. It was mentioned that the water tower needs to be cleaned and inspected – both interior and exterior. Discussion was held on updating the water treatment plant; Greg will work with Widseth to start the discussion and process.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the quote from Grey Eagle Electric to replace the streetlight by The Junction. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Various maintenance items were discussed. The Council would like to have a quote for a new windshield and gasket on the John Deere snow blower. They would also like a quote to fix the second fuel tank and gauge. A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the purchase of “City of Grey Eagle” stickers from PJ Signs for the property and equipment of the City. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Council would like to get a quote for tarring the streets that were not tarred when the sewer project was done. The Clerk will work with Widseth on this.
Discussion was held on the 10-acre football field and an old desk from the fire hall.
Unlicensed vehicles were discussed. The Council was instructed to get license plate numbers and/or make and model of vehicles and locations. This will be further discussed at the March meeting.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve Resolution No. 2024-06: Adopting Election Judges for 2024 Presidential Nomination Primary. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-06: A RESOLUTION APPOINTING ELECTION JUDGES FOR THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION PRIMARY
BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Grey Eagle as follows:
The persons named below are hereby appointed election judges for the March 5, 2024 Presidential Nomination Primary elections to be held in the City of Grey Eagle, County of Todd, State of Minnesota.
The judges appointed and designated polling place wherein they shall serve, and the hours of voting are as follows:
Jeri Ahrens, Ruby Eiden, Linda Gohman, Janice Lind, Beth Ramacher, Head Judge, Edith Ramacher, Head Judge, and Brenda Schwanke
City of Grey Eagle City Hall and Fire Hall at 202 Woodman Street South / Grey Eagle MN 56336
Election Hours: 7:00am – 8:00pm
Adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council this 13th day of February 2024.
The Primary Elections fall on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 which is a scheduled Council meeting night. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to change the meeting to Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 7:00 pm in Council Chambers. 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 rescind Resolution 2024-01: A Resolution Adopting 2024 Appointments. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. A motion was made by Chris Browen to disband all committees. 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 approve Resolution 2024-07: Adopting 2024 Appointments and Designations. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-07: RESOLUTION ADOPTING 2024 APPOINTMENTS & DESIGNATIONS
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council Members can only act collectively as one unit. Streets, Parks, Utilities, City Hall, Health & Welfare, Building Permits, Library and Community Builders will be the responsibility of the entire Council. The other official designations are as follows:
Acting Mayor: Brad Johnson
Official Auditor: Brian Koehn, CPA
Official City Attorney – Civil: Quinlivan & Hughes, Joe Krueger
Official City Attorney – Criminal: Todd County Attorney
Official Depositories: Magnifi Financial (Grey Eagle Office) and First State Bank of Swanville
Official Newspaper: Long Prairie Leader
Adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council this 13th day of February 2024.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve Resolution 2024-08: Entering into an Agreement with the MN DNR to install a New Fishing Pier in Bass Lake. 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. 2024-08: RESOLUTION APPROVING ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE MN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO INSTALL A NEW FISHING PIER IN BASS LAKE LOCATED
WHEREAS, the City of Grey Eagle and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) entered into an agreement to establish access to public waters in the form of a fishing pier in Bass Lake and,
WHEREAS, the City Council will enter into an agreement between the MN DNR and the City of Grey Eagle for the best interest of the citizens which provides a desirable benefit in the form of an additional method of accessing Bass Lake, and
WHEREAS, the cost of the fishing pier material will be provided by the MN DNR. The City of Grey Eagle will perform general maintenance, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council shall allow the Mayor and Clerk/Treasurer to be authorized and directed to sign the necessary forms and documents as may be required to carry out the agreement with the MN DNR.
Adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council this 13th day of February 2024.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the 2023 Pay Equity Report to be submitted to the Minnesota Management and Budget Office. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Chris Browen to approve the transfer of $3817 from the Sewer Fund to the Sewer Rehab Fund for 2023, per the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Chris Browen to approve the 2023 budgeted transfer of $13,239 from the General Fund to the Fire Fund. 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 approve using Splashtop for remote computer access going forward. 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 give Lance Chase a one-time variance to burn the brush pile on his property within City limits with a burning permit. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Multiple quotes for updating the website were discussed. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve renewing as-is with Catalis for one year with a 6% price increase. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Discussion was held on the Community Impact Funds available from Sourcewell. Possible options for this application include: new computers, banners, new website, speed signs, street tarring and welcome to Grey Eagle signs. More discussion to follow at the March meeting.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve payment of Claims #2972-3002, totaling $12,852.99 and include additional payments of the following: MN Power $3011.21, Gopher State One Call $63.50, Rock Bottom Diesel $1805.50, David Motors $78.97 and Eagle Fabricating $525.00. 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 adjourn the meeting at 8:57 pm. A second was made by Brad Johnson 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, March 12, 2024 in Council Chambers.
Beth Ramacher, Clerk/Treasurer
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