The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joseph Arnzen at 7:00 pm on the 9th of January 2024 in Council Chambers. Council members present were Brad Johnson, Brian Hollenkamp, Roland Ahrendt and Chris Browen. There were no council members absent. Also in attendance were Dan Berscheid and Beth Ramacher.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the agenda. A second was made by Brad Johnson 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 12th Truth in Taxation meeting. 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 December 12th meeting. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Chris Browen to approve the minutes of the December 28th emergency meeting. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Dan Berscheid was present to discuss several fire department topics, including the public safety dollars received in December. Quotes will be presented at a future meeting for a few sets of turnout gear, which could be paid for with this money. The grant for turnout gear in 2023 was denied; they plan to apply for the grant again in 2024. The door openers for the overhead doors in the fire hall still do not work properly since the new LED lights were installed.
The Grey Eagle Relief Association requested a change to the current bylaws which would increase the yearly benefits by $100. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to increase the pension by $100, to $1500 per year served. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
David Motors recently changed the oil on the 2012 Dodge 1500 and had a few requested service items listed. Maintenance will take care of changing out the filters and the CV boot replacement will be put on hold.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the purchase of a propane weed burner to use out at the ponds. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The wood from the old street barricades can be used for various projects and then the scraps can be gotten rid of. A motion was made by Brad Johnson to have lights and a switch put in the pontoon shed, on the west side of the maintenance shop. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
At the December 28th emergency meeting a motion was made to have Rock Bottom Diesel work on the F450 plow truck for $5000. The written quote received was $5329.80. A motion was made by Brad Johnson to have the F450 fixed at Rock Bottom. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to have Todd County install the flashing speed signs at no cost when weather permits. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The City will maintain ownership of the signs and be responsible for future maintenance and replacement.
The Minnesota DNR contacted the City to ask about their interest in having the fishing pier at Bass Lake replaced, summer of 2024. The City will have to help with the removal of the old pier and installation of the new one. If the City wishes to proceed with a new pier, they will need to sign an agreement with the DNR regarding land use, operations and maintenance. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to move forward with replacing the pier. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The following fourth quarter 2023 reports were reviewed: Todd County Sheriff and Utility Transaction History.
To be compliant with Minnesota Statute 181.101, council members will be paid monthly going forward. The statute reads that every employer must pay all wages at least once every 31 days.
A brief discussion was held on the website. The Clerk is researching other options & will present at a future meeting.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the 2024 Legal Services Contract with Quinlivan & Hughes, PA. 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 the 2024 agreement with Todd County for Prosecution Services. 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. 2024-01: A Resolution Adopting 2024 Appointments. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-01: RESOLUTION ADOPTING 2024 APPOINTMENTS
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
Building Permit Administrator: City Clerk
Building Permit Committee: Joe Arnzen and Chris Browen
Cemetery: Brad Johnson and Joe Arnzen
City Hall: Roland Ahrendt and Chris Browen
Parks: Brad Johnson and Brian Hollenkamp
Personnel Committee: Brad Johnson and Joe Arnzen
Revolving Loan Fund Committee: Joe Arnzen and Brian Hollenkamp
Streets: Brian Hollenkamp and Roland Ahrendt
Utilities: Joe Arnzen and Brian Hollenkamp
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 9th day of January 2024.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve Resolution No. 2024-02: A Resolution Adopting Policy to Allow Payments Before Council Authorization. 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. 2024-02: RESOLUTION ADOPTING POLICY TO ALLOW PAYMENTS 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 Grey Eagle City Council this 9th day of January 2024.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve Resolution No. 2024-03: A Resolution Allowing Wire/Automated Bank Payments. 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. 2024-03: 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/Treasurer to make such payments by wire/automation instead of paper checks. These payments will be approved at the appropriate council meeting.
Adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council this 9th day of January 2024.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve Resolution No. 2024-04: A Resolution Setting a Public Hearing on the Proposed Vacation of an Alley Running Down the Middle of Block 1, Callahan’s Addition. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follow:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-04: A RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED VACATION OF AN ALLEY RUNNING DOWN THE MIDDLE OF BLOCK 1, CALLAHAN’S ADDITION.
WHEREAS, the City Council pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 412.851 desires to consider the vacation of 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.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREY EAGLE, MINNESOTA AS FOLLOWS:
The City Council will consider the vacation of such street and a public hearing shall be held on such proposed vacation on the 13th day of February, 2024, in the City Hall located at 202 Woodman Street South, Grey Eagle MN 56336 at 7:00 pm, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is hereby directed to give published, posted and mailed notice of such hearing as required by law.
Adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council this 9th day of January 2024.
The Council requested that the City Attorney send a letter Joe Mueller regarding the streetlight incident.
Information was shared with the Council regarding The Empowering Small Minnesota Communities program through the University of Minnesota, which provides grants/funding to small communities. No further action will be taken at this time.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve payment of Claims #2944-2970, totaling $63,378.31 and include an additional payment of the following: MN Power $1050.60. 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 adjourn the meeting at 8:22 pm. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp 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 13, 2024 in Council Chambers.
Beth Ramacher, Clerk/Treasurer
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