The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joe Arnzen at 7:00 p.m., on the 11th day of July 2017 in council chambers. Council members present were Roland Ahrendt, Thom Muellner, Bill Pohlmann and Brian Hollenkamp. Also in attendance were Chico Hellmann, Lori Hellmann and guests Bryan Bye, John and Joan Behsman and Marc Rosenow.
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 June 13, 2017 meeting with the following change: page 1632, third paragraph, and third sentence change “council four members”to“three council members”. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
John and Joan Behsman attended to request a building permit to put up a 10’x10’x8’ canvas shed behind the current garage to the east. A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the building permit request for the Behsman’s to put up a 10’x10’x8’ canvas shed according to setback requirements. 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 renew the building permit for Jane Eizenhoefer to install patio, driveway and replace sidewalks. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Bryan Bye informed the council that Rural Development approved the Preliminary Engineering Report for the proposed sewer rehab project. At this time the project would be funded 100% by Rural Development with 45% of the costs to be in the form of grants and 55% of the project being in the form of a loan. Rural Development has access to money that is in a pool which comes from money allocated to all states but was not all spent. We can compete on a Federal level to get some of these funds for our project however certain requirements need to be met before the end of July to qualify. One of the requirements is to hold a public hearing which would allow residents an opportunity to receive information on the proposed project, the environmental impact of this project as well as the potential cost impact to the residents.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to call for a public hearing on Monday, July 24, 2017 at 6:00 p.m., in council chambers for the purpose of providing residents with an opportunity to receive information on the proposed sewer rehab project, what the environmental impact the proposed sewer rehab would have as well as the potential cost of the project to the residents. 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. The four year contract was received from Johnson Jet-Line for sewer jetting. The contract can be cancelled if the sewer project takes place.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the sewer jetting contract with Johnson Jet-Line for $3,212.73 per year plus $300 for mobilization for each trip per year for four years. Approximately 4,401 feet of sewer main will be cleaned each year. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
2. Chico informed the council that Todd County does not contract out for mowing.
3. The tractor has a seal leaking and it would cost approximately $5,000 – $6,000 to split the tractor and repair it.
4. Chico informed the council that Bill and Tom Berscheit put weights on the tractor to keep the tractor more grounded when mowing the ponds. Chico was instructed to have Bill Berscheit submit a bill to the city.
5. There is still one gate valve that needs to be repaired.
6. Chico obtained an estimate from Mick Flood to repair and paint the Fire Hall for $3,200. Brian Middendorf was contacted to also submit an estimate but he is too busy and he would only do the painting with repairs needing to be done by someone else.
7. Chico submitted a quote to replace lights at the Library to LED. There are twenty six 8’ light fixtures which would cost $67.30 per fixture and approximately $500-$600 for Bitz Electric to install them. It was the consensus of the council that they should just be replaced as they go out.
8. Chico was instructed to have more sand put in the sandbox at the playground.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve a temporary liquor license for the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club for GEMFest and Labor Day Weekend for the car show and tractor pull. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the closing of Woodman Street South from Spruce Street East to Pearl Street East for the Grey Eagle Fire Department Relief Association Corn and Ham Feed on August 12, 2017. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council had further discussion on painting the fire hall. This item was tabled until the August meeting to determine where the funds would come from for this project.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the 2018 Initiative Foundation donation request for $260. 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 the Fire Department Compensation Policy effective with the 2018 annual pay. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon vote, with Mayor Joe Arnzen abstaining, motion carried.
The council discussed the community sign. The possible site should be measured for placement of the sign before a decision can be reached.
The council discussed property clean up. Letters will be sent for the property at 115 Cedar Street South, 119 Cedar Street North and 404 State Street West. The clerk was instructed to send a letter to the owners at 304 State Street East inviting them to the August meeting.
The Clerk was instructed to proceed with delinquent utilities as allowed by ordinance.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to proceed with various fund transfers as follows: $748.26 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund and $101.80 from the General Fund of which $31.80 goes to the Water Fund and $70 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.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to pay the bills as listed and to include the payment of the additional following items: $200 to Central Minnesota Credit Union and $1,824.18 to Minnesota Power. 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 adjourn at 8:07 p.m. 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, August 8, 2017 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk
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