The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Jim Gohman at 7:00 p.m., on the 9th day of June, 2015 in council chambers. Council members present were Ralph Muellner, Thom Muellner, Roland Ahrendt and Joe Arnzen. There were no council members absent. Also in attendance were Chico Hellmann, Lori Hellmann and guests Kevin Rohde, Alicia Bruggenthies, Chase Johnson and Brian Bye.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the amended agenda. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve the minutes of the May 12, 2015 meeting with the following corrections: page 1536, first paragraph, change guest from Steven to Stuart and page 1536, fifth paragraph, second to the motion was omitted, add “second was made by Joe Arnzen”. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Alicia Bruggenthies was in attendance to discuss the 499,100 gallons of water that ran through the meter at the house she was renting sometime during the month of February. The high usage was found during monthly meter readings and after approximately one hour of finding the high reading, another meter reading was taken. In that hour, one thousand gallons had run through the meter. Since the repairs were made, the meter readings have been back in the normal range. A motion was made by Thom Muellner to accept payment arrangements to be made with the clerk over the next two years with no late fees added until the $960.15 has been paid. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Chase Johnson, owner of Johnson Jet Line, presented the council with a comprehensive report on the sewer mains after completing the jetting and televising.
Brian Bye of Widseth Smith and Nolting discussed some of the options regarding replacing sewer mains. The first thing that needs to be done is to be put on the project priority list with the State prior to the May 2016 deadline. The council can renew each year until they decide to move forward with a project. A work session needs to be planned so that the council has time to look at the comprehensive report compiled by Johnson Jet Line in more depth. A tentative work session meeting date has been scheduled for August 18, 2015 if Brian has enough time to get the information together for the council.
The following water/wastewater/maintenance items were discussed: 1. Update on seasonal/temporary employees. The seasonal employee has been out sick and it was difficult to keep up without keeping the temporary employee on after Memorial Day. A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to keep temporary employee in place as needed. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
2. The lawn mower that the council was considering replacing is working well. It uses approximately one quart of oil each time and smokes but will continue to use it for the time being.
3. A letter will be sent to a resident regarding the curb stop and water installation.
4. A motion was made by Thom Muellner to paint the doors on the F-450 by Shabel Auto Body for up to $450. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
5. Discussion was held on the possibility of having a generator installed at the west lift station. Chico was instructed to obtain estimates for council consideration at the July meeting.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve Resolution No. 2015-07, A Resolution Accepting $900 Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Donation for Memorial Day Activities. A second was made by Ralph Muellner 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.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve the purchase of two, $3,000 CD investments from the Credit Union for Sewer Capital Projects. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Employee six month review will take place at the July council meeting.
Estimates were obtained for spraying the parks and cemetery for dandelions. After doing some research, the clerk obtained information that the maintenance employee can do the spraying without a license as long as the spraying is on city property only.
Ken Messer submitted three building permit applications for council consideration. The building permit requests were tabled as Ken was not in attendance at the meeting.
The council discussed a property that has unlicensed vehicles and vehicle parts. The property owner had been contacted but the tenants were not cooperating. The clerk was instructed to obtain information on the tenants and send them a letter requiring removal of these items as soon as possible.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the ACH Agreement between the City and the Central Minnesota Credit Union. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve the Internet Banking Agreement between the City and the Central Minnesota Credit Union. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to request $15,000 donation from the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions for Park Maintenance. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve the various fund transfers as follows: $748.26 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund, $87.41 from the General Fund of which $27.91 goes to the Water Fund and $59.50 goes to the Sewer Fund and $43.70 from the Sewer Fund to the Sewer Rehab Fund. 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 payment of bills as listed and to include payment of the additional items as follows: $171.71 to Chris’ Country Store, $514.75 to Melrose City Meat, $1,955.09 to Minnesota Power, $400 to Electric Pump and $23,862.23 to Johnson Jet-Line. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to adjourn the meeting at 9:26 p.m. A second was made by Ralph 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, July 14, 2015 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk