The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joseph Arnzen at 7:00 pm, on the 13th day of December 2022 in council chambers. Council members present were Brad Johnson, Roland Ahrendt and Brian Hollenkamp. There were no council members absent. Also in attendance were Lori Hellmann and Beth Ramacher, and guests Jeff Vosburgh and Bobby Pallansch, Jr.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson 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 Brad Johnson to approve the minutes of the December 13, 2022 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 Brad Johnson to approve the minutes of the December 13, 2022 meeting as written. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Jeff Vosburgh discussed the city well. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve future exploration and well costs. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Bobby Pallansch, Jr. requested having two blocks of Main Street shut down on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend 2023 for a car show. The City will check with the State of Minnesota regarding this and will move forward accordingly. Race on Trace was briefly discussed as the Grey Eagle Fire Department will need to be present for this event on February 18, 2023.
The Council discussed replacing the Dodge Dakota with a half-ton pickup.
The Council discussed snow removal. Any snow removed from your property must be placed on your property. It is against State Statute to push this snow into the street. If a resident or business does not have room for the snow to be piled on their property, they can haul it to the City Park at their own expense.
Discussion was held to remind all residents that fire hydrants must be accessible in case of an emergency. Make sure to remove the snow from around them so they can be found and used, if needed. A note will be included as a reminder on the next utility billing.
Discussion was held on security at the City Hall and Water Plant; quotes will be obtained.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve Resolution No. 2023-01: A Resolution Adopting 2023 Appointments. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-01: A Resolution Adopting 2023 Appointments
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council members can only act collectively as one unit, Streets, Parks, Utilities, Hall, Health & Welfare, Building Permits, Library and Community Builders will be the responsibility of the entire Council. The other official designations are as follows:
Streets: Brian Hollenkamp, Roland Ahrendt
Parks: Brad Johnson, Brian Hollenkamp
Utilities: Joe Arnzen, Brian Hollenkamp
Cemetery: Brad Johnson, Joe Arnzen
Hall: Roland Ahrendt, Brad Johnson
Personnel Committee: Brad Johnson, Joe Arnzen
Building Permit Administrator: City Clerk
Building Permit Committee: Joe Arnzen, Brad Johnson
Acting Mayor: Brad Johnson
Revolving Loan Fund Committee: Mayor Joe Arnzen, Brian Hollenkamp
Official Depositories: Magnifi Financial – Grey Eagle Office and First State Bank of Swanville
Official Newspaper: Long Prairie Leader
Official Auditor: Brian Koehn, CPA
Official City Attorney – Civil: Quinlivan & Hughes – Joe Krueger
Official City Attorney – Criminal: Todd County Attorney
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Grey Eagle this 10th day of January 2023.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to De-Obligate General Obligation Sewer Revenue Bond #2020B. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the City Attorney Contract for 2023. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Council discussed the vacant Council seat. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp that all new council members going forward will be required to attend new council member orientation. A second was made by Roland Ahrent and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Council discussed THC Moratorium. Further discussion will be tabled for the time being.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approved moving froward with computer backup through Cove for approximately $30 per month. 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 upgrading to Office 365. 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 add Brad Johnson and Beth Ramacher to the City’s bank accounts. 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 for Beth Ramacher to attend the upcoming Clerk Conference. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A policy for credit card use was discussed and will be tabled until the February 2023 meeting.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approved Resolution No. 2023-02: Policy to Allow Payment Before Council Authorization. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-02: Policy to Allow Payment Before Council Authorization
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Grey Eagle is required to review expenditures before payments are made, and
WHEREAS, business and contractor billing cycles are not always in step with the City payment schedule, and
WHEREAS, some businesses and contractors demand payment upon job completion, and
WHEREAS, some businesses and contractors include finance charges for bills not paid within 10, 15, 20 or 30 days, and
WHEREAS, it is in the City’s best interest to pay just debts in a timely manner.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Grey Eagle authorizes the City Clerk-Treasurer to make payment of regular payroll expenditures, regular cyclical payments such as, but not exclusively, and sales & use tax, payments to Minnesota Power without prior approval by the City Council.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Grey Eagle this 10th day of January 2023.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approved Resolution No. 2023-03: Resolution Allowing Wire/Automated Bank Payments. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-03: Resolution Allowing Wire/Automated Bank Payments
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Grey Eagle, County of Todd, State of Minnesota, acknowledges the need for wire and automated bank payments for such things as payroll withholdings, sales tax, Rural Development Bond payments and other required payments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council shall allow the Clerk to make such payments by wire/automation instead of paper checks. These payments will be approved at the appropriate council meeting.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Grey Eagle Minnesota this the 10th day of January 2023.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the purchase of investments for 2022 ($30,000 Fire Department, $3000 Streets and $3000 Sewer). 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 transfer $4468 from the Sewer Funds to the Sewer Rehab Fund for 2022. 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 have ACI Welding fix the telephone vault cover in front of the Fire Department. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve payment of Claims #2619-2638, totaling $100,123.77. 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 adjourn the meeting at 9:01 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, February 14, 2023 in Council Chambers.
Beth Ramacher, Assistant Clerk
