Grey Eagle City February 14, 2017

The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joe Arnzen at 7:00 p.m., on the 14th day of February 2017 in council chambers. Council members present were Roland Ahrendt, Bill Pohlmann and Thom Muellner. There were no council members absent. Also in attendance were Chico Hellmann, Bill Berscheit, Lori Hellmann and guests Mark Larson, Sherry Larson, Pat Conroy, Jeri Ahrens, Stuart Ahrens and Ken Messer.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve the amended agenda. 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 approve the minutes of the January 10, 2017 council meeting with the following change: third sentence, change “present” to “absent”. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Jeri Ahrens was in attendance to discuss undeveloped Bovee Street. Since the city would not vacate this section she would like the city to maintain it. The council will discuss the matter with the city attorney before a decision will be made.
Mark and Sherry Larson were in attendance seeking approval for the following community events that will be sponsored by the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club: Community Appreciation on May 20, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., GEMFest for July 14-16 with parade to be held on July 14th at 6:00 p.m., Car Show on September 3, 2017 and Tractor Pull on September 4, 2017.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the community events sponsored by the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club with some costs being run through city accounts but reimbursed by the Lions Club. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Pat Conroy was in attendance to update the council on the Small Cities Development Grant application. Due to the fact that no bonding bill was approved by Minnesota State Legislators, the city went from marginally competitive to non- competitive. Until a bonding bill is approved the grant process is stalled.
Ken Messer was in attendance regarding the letter he received on his unlicensed vehicle. Bill Berscheit gave a Fire Department update regarding the following items:
1. The wage committee met and after some discussion came up with a bonus incentive based on the percentage of calls and training. The matter will be discussed with the city attorney before a policy can be drawn up.
2. A roster of fire department members will be posted on the wall with dates and times of calls or training.
3. Race on Trace currently has 16” of ice and the Sheriff’s Department will determine if the race can take place.
4. The department is working on bids for a new tanker. Current rough estimate is approximately $160,000 for a new chassis, lights and siren. They will try to get a more approximate estimate before coming to the council for approval.
5. Craig Tschida would like to take a leave of absence from the fire department.
6. There is no information from the insurance company as to the repairs to the Rescue Rig.
The following water/wastewater/maintenance items were discussed:
1. Due to some heaving at the Bass Lake Access, Herdering took out one of the cement pads. Any other maintenance needed at the access will take place in the spring.
2. The bubbler system in the tower was not working properly when it was real cold. The company will come back in and install a heated box over the stem and the air compressor at no additional cost to the city.
3. Quotes were obtained to run underground power from the Fire Hall to the water plant generator. Due to the high cost, other options will be looked at.
4. The amber light on top of the city truck isn’t working properly. Chico will look at getting a new one.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to appoint Chico as the wastewater operator effective March 1, 2017. 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 approve attendance to the Minnesota Rural Water Conference in St. Cloud March 7-9 for Chico and Matt. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Clerk updated the council on the letters that were sent out regarding unlicensed vehicles and trailers. Several residents responded that the unlicensed items would be removed or licensed in the spring.
The council discussed publishing minutes in the local papers. Approved minutes will be posted on the city website and Hometown News.
The Clerk discussed utility bills with the council. Over the past couple of years residents have been receiving their utility bills in torn or illegible condition, or not receiving their bills at all. The Clerk would like to request sending bills by email for those residents that have email available to them. This would eliminate the torn or illegible bills and also save money. The Clerk would like to send a letter to all residents that currently receive their utility bills by mail, requesting email and updated contact information. Those that do not have email would still receive their utility bill in the mail. A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to send a letter to residents asking them to sign up to receive their utility bills by email. 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 Resolution No. 2017-06, A Resolution, A Resolution Restricting Parking on the Two Business Blocks of State Street (also known as “Main Street”). A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
Resolution No. 2017-06: A Resolution Restricting Parking on the Two Business Blocks of State Street (also known as “Main Street”) WHEREAS, the City of Grey Eagle has a mutual agreement with MnDOT regarding snow removal on a trunk highway; and
WHEREAS, THE City Council deems it necessary to restrict the hours of parking along the trunk highway known as State Highway 28 or State Street in the City of Grey Eagle; and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes restricting the parking along the trunk highway known as State Highway 28 or State Street in the City of Grey Eagle will allow for the removal of snow for the two business blocks of State Street (also known as Main Street).
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREY EAGLE, TODD COUNTY, MINNESOTA:
That the two business blocks of State Highway 28 or State Street (also known as “Main Street”) in the City of Grey Eagle is hereby restricted as follows:
There will be no parking from 2:00 – 6:00 a.m. on the two business blocks of State Highway 28 or State Street (also known as Main Street) from November 1st to May 1st each year. Any vehicles left on the two business blocks during the restricted times may be towed at owner’s expense.
Adopted by the Council this 14th day of February, 2017.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve Resolution No. 2017-07, A Resolution Accepting $500 Donation from Central Minnesota Credit Union to the Fire Department for the Purchase of a Lucas Machine. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The above stated resolution may be read in its entirety at the Clerk’s office.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve Resolution No. 2017-08, A Resolution Accepting $50 Donation from Dan Dolence for Fire Department Equipment. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The above stated resolution may be read in its entirety at the Clerk’s office.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve Resolution No. 2017-09, A Resolution Accepting $1,000 Donation from Grey Eagle-Swanville Area Knights of Columbus to the Fire Department for the Purchase of a Lucas Machine. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The above stated resolution may be read in its entirety at the Clerk’s office.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve Resolution No. 2017-10, A Resolution Accepting $100 Donation from Mike Shabel to the Fire Department for the Purchase of a Lucas Machine. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The above stated resolution may be read in its entirety at the Clerk’s office.
Mayor Joe Arnzen updated the council with information he received regarding the Tschida culvert. Roland Ahrendt will talk to his tenants regarding the complaints about the barking dog.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to add Mayor Joe Arnzen to all accounts as needed at the First State Bank of Swanville, Grey Eagle Office and Central Minnesota Credit Union, Grey Eagle Office. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the various fund transfers as follows: $748.26 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund, $101.26 from the General Fund of which $31.26 goes to the Water Fund and $70 goes to the Sewer Fund for Fire Hall and Library utilities, and $143.70 from the Sewer Fund to the Sewer Rehab Fund. 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 payment of bills as listed and to include payment of the additional items: $260 to the Initiative Foundation, $2,156.63 to Minnesota Power and $1,171.56 to NJPA. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann 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 14, 2017 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk