Grey Eagle City January 10, 2017

The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Jim Gohman at 7:00 p.m., on the 10th day of January 2017 in council chambers. Council members present were Roland Ahrendt, Thom Muellner, Bill Pohlmann and Joe Arnzen. There were no council members absent. Also in attendance were Chico Hellmann, Lori Hellmann and guests Bernice Tschida, Mike Meagher and Judy Meagher.
The oath of office was given to newly elected Mayor Joe Arnzen and council members Bill Pohlmann and Thom Muellner. Jim thanked the council for working with him over the past 13 years. Bernice Tschida presented a gavel to Jim Gohman for his service and dedication to the city. Bernice also presented a gavel to Mayor Joe Arnzen. Jim Gohman then turned the meeting over to Mayor Joe Arnzen.
Mayor Joe Arnzen thanked Jim for the great job he has done for the city.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the amended agenda. 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 minutes of the December 13, 2016 Truth in Taxation meeting as written. 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 approve the minutes of the December 13, 2016 regular meeting with the following changes: page 1608, paragraph 12 replace the word council with the word culvert, and page 1609, second paragraph add the word building after Big Birch Lake Association. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Mike Meagher was in attendance to request First Responders in attendance at the Central Minnesota Pond Races being held on Trace Lake for January 22, February 18 for Race on Trace and February 25. Mayor Joe Arnzen stated that it is difficult to get First Responders to spend the time doing this but that the Fire Department would try to get people signed up to do this. Mike also requested that the $100 fee per race be waived. He feels that this race brings people into the community that might not otherwise be here, and he did not wish to move the Central Minnesota Pond Races to a different location.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to waive the $100 fee per race for the Central Minnesota Pond Races held on Trace Lake however any request for additional race dates may be subject to the fee. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The following water/wastewater/maintenance items were discussed:
1. Chico has successfully obtained his class D wastewater license and is ready to take over the responsibilities of all wastewater duties. Chico and Joe will talk to Matt and make a decision at the February meeting.
2. Discussed parking on the two business blocks of State Street (Main Street). There have been cars left overnight and it makes it difficult to remove the snow properly. A motion was made by Thom Muellner to establish no parking from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. on the two business blocks of State Street (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. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
3. Jim’s Electric hasn’t had time to come to look at bringing in power from the East Lift generator to the Fire Hall.
The Council received a letter of resignation from City Attorney Tim Churchwell effective January 31, 2017 as he has been appointed as a District Court Judge in Douglas County. It is Tim’s recommendation that the city appoint Joe Krueger as the new City Attorney as Joe has experience in representing other communities in and around Todd County. A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to retain Joe Krueger as City Attorney upon agreement by Joe Krueger. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve Resolution No. 2017-01, A Resolution Approving 2017 Committee Appointments. 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. 2017-01: A Resolution Adopting 2017 Appointments
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council members can only act collectively as one unit, Streets, Parks, Utilities, Hall, Health & Welfare, Building Permits, Revolving Loan Fund, Library and Community Builders will be the responsibility of the entire Council. The other official designations are as follows:
Building Permit Administrator: City Clerk
Acting Mayor: Thom Muellner
Official Depositories: First State Bank of Swanville – Grey Eagle office Central Minnesota Credit Union – Grey Eagle office
Official Newspaper: Long Prairie Leader
Official Auditor: Dennis Bacon, CPA
Official City Attorney – Civil: Joe Krueger
Official City Attorney – Criminal: Todd County Attorney
Adopted this 10th day of January, 2017.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve Resolution No. 2017-02, A Resolution Declaring a Vacancy on City Council. 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. 2017-02: Resolution Accepting Resignation and Declaring Vacancy on City Council
WHEREAS, Joe Arnzen was duly elected to a four year term as a City Council member for the period January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018, and WHEREAS, Joe Arnzen has served two years in this position, and WHEREAS, Joe Arnzen resigned from the Council on January 10, 2017, and WHEREAS, a vacancy exists on the Council and State Law requires the position to be occupied, and WHEREAS, appointment to the position of Council member shall be made until the regular elections to be held in November 2018.
NOW, THEREFORE by the Council of the City of Grey Eagle, Minnesota declares that a vacancy exists for Council Member of the City of Grey Eagle.
Adopted this 10th day of January, 2017.
The council discussed the numerous complaints of dogs running at large. The Clerk was instructed to send letters reminding pet owners to keep their dogs on a leash or contained to their own property at all times.
The council discussed the many unlicensed vehicles and trailers within the city. The Clerk was instructed to send letters to residents reminding them that vehicles and trailers need to have current license tabs to be kept within the city.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to accept the resignation of Beau Krueger from the Grey Eagle Fire Department effective December 20, 2016. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner that the council does not waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability established by Minnesota Statutes, Section 466.04. 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 call for a public hearing on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at 7:15 p.m., in council chambers for the purpose of providing information to the residents regarding submission of a full application for the Small Cities Development Grant for the proposed 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 Bill Pohlmann to approve Resolution No. 2017-03, A Resolution Accepting $100 Donation from Henry Spaeth to the Grey Eagle Volunteer Fire Department for the Purchase of a Lucas Machine. 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 in the Clerk’s office.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve Resolution No. 2017-04, A Resolution Accepting $300 Donation from Grey Eagle Housing Association to the Grey Eagle 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 in the Clerk’s office.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve Resolution No. 2017-05, A Resolution Accepting $20 Anonymous Donation to the Grey Eagle 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 in the Clerk’s office.
The Clerk was instructed to proceed with delinquent utilities as allowed by ordinance.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the various fund transfers as follows: $8,704.13 from the Sewer Fund to the PFA Debt Service Fund, $11,667.96 from the Water Fund to the Street Improvement Project Debt Service Fund, $4,864.39 from the Sewer Fund to the Street Improvement Project Debt Service Fund, $748.26 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund, $18,315 from the Sewer Fund to the Rural Development Debt Service Fund and $95.26 from the General Fund of which $31.26 goes to the Water Fund and $64 goes to the Sewer Fund for Fire Hall and Library utilities. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Mayor Joe Arnzen gave the following update:
1. Thanks to everyone for all the help, support and commitment to the city and its residents.
2. Discussed the need to appoint someone from the council to the Rainbow Rider committee. Roland Ahrendt will represent the city to replace Jim Gohman.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the payment of bills as listed and to include the additional payment of $1,960.88 to Minnesota Power. 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 at 8:27 p.m. A second was made by Thom Muellner 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, February 14, 2017 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk