The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joe Arnzen at 7:00 p.m., on the 12th day of June 2018 in council chambers. Council members present were Roland Ahrendt, Thom Muellner, Bill Pohlmann and Brian Hollenkamp. There were no council members absent. Also in attendance were Chico Hellmann, Lori Hellmann and guests Patty Seifert, Bob Lefavor, Kristie Kuhlmann, Joe Krueger, Steven Ahrens and Iris Wolbeck.
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 May 8, 2018 meeting with the following change: page 1670, paragraph 2, first sentence add Hwy 287 after west lift station. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve a building permit for Patty Seifert to install a handicap ramp to the front of the house. This ramp would not affect any setback requirements. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Kristie Kuhlmann was in attendance to discuss property clean up at 304 State Street East. Kristie stated that the materials for installing a fence on the property have been paid for but that they are waiting for the contractor before installation can take place. Kristie stated that a fence is needed for the property as there is constant trespassing and that for safety and liability reasons their insurance company would require it. They would like to address the easement that the city holds on the north side of the property at the July meeting so they could have time to clearly mark lot lines.
Kristie questioned the council on what they can do on this property as it was sold as a commercial property and would like to continue its use in that capacity. They would like to keep the integrity of the building and clean up as much as possible. They currently have two sump pumps and dehumidifiers running to help dry out the building on the inside. They clean branches that have fallen on a daily basis and they currently have no water to the building until the broken pipes can be fixed. Property taxes have been paid up and Highway 27 salvage will be coming in to remove vehicles.
Kristie requested a 30 day extension for the installation of the fence and property clean up. City Attorney Joe Krueger stated that the council had four options regarding the property clean up as follows:
1. Do nothing.
2. Table to see what progress has been made by the July meeting.
3. Issue an abatement order.
4. Issue an abatement order but stay it for a period of time. If not cleaned up by the stipulated stay date, then the council can move forward without having to start the process all over.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to move to a closed session to discuss pending litigation with City Attorney 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 close the closed session. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to open the regular meeting. 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 table the Kuhlmann abatement process until the July 10th council meeting. If the property is not cleaned up at that time, the council will proceed with the abatement process. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Steven Ahrens and Iris Wolbeck were in attendance seeking approval partial blocking of streets as follows: Ward Street East from Woodman Street South to Cedar Street South and Woodman Street South from Ward Street East to Pearl Street and Cedar Street South from Ward Street East to Pearl Street East. They are also requesting permission to allow a DJ to play until midnight for their wedding reception to be held under a tent in their backyard. A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to allow the partial closing of the stated streets but allowing for traffic to as needed for the property owners who would be impacted by the partial closings and to allow for emergency vehicles access to any property within the partial closure. They would also be required to make sure all property owners would be aware of the party taking place. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Bob Lefavor was in attendance to inform the council that he is finishing getting the remainder of his items off the property at 304 State Street East. He is asking for a letter of acknowledgement of progress that he has made and that he is in the City’s good standing. Due to pending litigation the City will not be able to honor this request.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve Resolution No. 2018-07, A Resolution Accepting $50 Donation from Juel Meyer for Fire Department Equipment. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp 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.
Council pay was discussed. The Clerk stated that the council has not received any increases in pay and that an increase should be considered. The Clerk was instructed to see what other cities councils receive and present at the July meeting.
The tar repair at the fire hall is tabled to the July meeting.
The council discussed the trees behind the fire hall. They need to be trimmed so that the roof of the fire hall isn’t damaged. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to hire Undercut Tree Care & Removal to trim the trees. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Clerk spoke with Janet Schinske regarding placing the community sign on property they own next to the post office. The sign will be measured to determine how much room will be needed and work with the city attorney to draw up an agreement with the Schinske’s regarding the use of the property.
Council member Bill Pohlmann left the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
The council discussed a building permit for Dale Haffner to install a handicap ramp on the west side of the house. The ramp would be 4 feet wide and would need to be 37 feet long due to the height of the door. This would require a variance to the setback requirement of 25 feet from the edge of the road into the property as there would only be 23 feet 3 inches from the edge of the road to the end of the handicap ramp. Haffner’s would also be replacing the 32 inch door with a 36 inch door. A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to hire Water Tower Clean & Coat to clean the bottom bowl of the water tower and service and check the interior of the water tower for $3,000. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A resident who needs to do community service hours will be utilized to paint curbs and fire hydrants on Main Street.
The Mayor reminded the council that the property at 218 Woodman Street North needs to finish up the items that were approved with building permits. The council will discuss the matter at the July meeting.
The Clerk was instructed to proceed with delinquent utilities as allowed by ordinance. The council will consider reinstating disconnect/reconnect fees at the July meeting.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the various fund transfers as follows: $750.67 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund and $116.12 from the General Fund of which $41.12 goes to the Water Fund and $75 goes to the Sewer Fund for Fire Hall and Library utilities. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the payment of the regular bills and to include payment of the following additional items: $60 to Dollar General, $134 to Melrose Bakery, $200 to Central Minnesota Credit Union, $1,983.60 to Minnesota Power and $250 to Slew Foot. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to adjourn at 9:10 p.m. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt 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, July 10, 2018 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk