The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Jim Gohman at 7:00 p.m., on the 12th day of May, 2015 in council chambers. Council members present were Ralph Muellner, Thom Muellner, Roland Ahrendt and Joe Arnzen. There were no members absent. Also in attendance were Lori Hellmann, Chico Hellmann and guests Luella Asmus, Bernice Tschida, Jeri Ahrens, Stuart Ahrens, Bob Ahrens, Jim Brake and Dennis Bacon.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the amended agenda. 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 approve the minutes of the April 14, 2015 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 Thom Muellner to approve the minutes to the April 27, 2015 Board of Equalization meeting as written. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Bob and Jeri Ahrens were in attendance to discuss the possibility of removing the sidewalk in front of their house. The sidewalk is in very bad condition and they would like to move forward with landscaping. A motion was made by Thom Muellner to allow the removal of the sidewalk in front of their house. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon roll call vote, the members voted as follows: Joe Arnzen, aye, Roland Ahrendt, aye, Thom Muellner, aye, Ralph Muellner, aye, Jim Gohman, nay. Motion carried.
Dennis Bacon presented the council with the completed 2014 audit. He stated that the books were in good shape, but reminded the council to do the following: continue to monitor water and sewer rates, monitor bills each month, monitor bank reconciliations, and to be mindful of expenditures. A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to accept the 2014 audit as presented. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Jim Brake was in attendance to discuss the possibility of purchasing a parcel of property in the city with the intent to build a shed, approximately eighty feet to one hundred feet long and approximately twenty feet wide, in which to keep a semi-truck in. The council instructed that before they can make a determination regarding the shed, a drawing with the dimensions of the lot, where on the lot it would be built, what the setbacks would be from the road and property lines, and what materials would be used. Once that has been completed, he could come back to the council for a more definite answer.
The council discussed the culvert that was installed at 203 Woodman Street North by Ken Messer. When the culvert was installed, the clerk was instructed to send a letter stating that the culvert had to be removed immediately. Mr. Messer returned the letter to the Clerk unopened and unaccepted.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to adopt the Findings of Fact regarding the unapproved culvert that was installed on Ken Messer’s rental property at 203 Woodman Street North. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon roll call vote, the following members voted as follows: Thom Muellner, aye, Joe Arnzen, aye, Ralph Muellner, aye, Jim Gohman, aye, Roland Ahrendt, aye. Motion carried. The Findings of Fact are as follows:
1. The City of Grey Eagle maintains right-of-ways within the City, and has elected to manage those right-of-ways within the City, and has elected to manage those right-of-ways within its jurisdiction by adoption of Chapter 6, Grey Eagle City Code.
2. No excavation may be done within any right-of-way without issuance of a permit from the City pursuant to Section 6.3.
3. On June 10, 2014, Kenneth Messer appeared before the City Council and requested issuance of a permit in order to install a culvert within the drainage ditch right-of-way and connect it to a neighboring culvert.
4. The request for a permit was denied.
5. On or about April 19, 2015, the City observed a culvert was installed upon the Messer property and connected to the neighboring culvert in violation of Section 6.3.
6. A letter dated April 20, 2015 was sent to Kenneth Messer requesting that he immediately remove the culvert and restore the property to its original condition.
7. On April 21, 2015, Kenneth Messer met with the City Administrator, returned the letter unopened, acknowledged the installation of the culvert, and verbally indicated he would not comply with any request for removal from the City Council.
8. The installation of the culvert was done in violation of Chapter 6, Grey Eagle City Code, and in particular, Section 6.3, which requires a permit prior to commencing any excavation of related work in a right-of-way.
Based upon the above Findings of Fact, the City Council hereby:
1. The City Administrator and City Attorney are hereby authorized to enforce the provisions of Chapter 6 by any appropriate legal action, and may take any and all such actions as may be necessary to enforce the ordinances of the City.
2. The City Administrator and City Attorney shall, to the extent permitted by law or ordinance, recover any and all expenses and fees incurred by the City in enforcing its ordinances and restoring the right-of-way to its original condition, including the assessment of fees, expenses and costs.
Luella Asmus was in attendance to discuss the issues with standing water during recent rains. Chico will check out some culverts alleged to be plugged.
There was discussion held regarding the condition of the tennis courts. Council members were asked to look over the tennis courts and report at the next meeting. The Clerk was instructed to contact Ron Magner to see what information could be obtained on the work that was done in 2013.
The volleyball league will begin June 3, 2015.
The council reviewed the letter that was drafted regarding idling semi-trucks and running refrigerated reefer trailers. So that our resident truck drivers do not feel singled out, the letter will be sent to any resident that have trucks and/or trailers kept in the city or individuals who do not live here but have property here and keep trucks and or trailers parked here.
There are several properties that the clerk was instructed to send regarding property clean up. The Sheriff will be called on a parcel of property that was sent a clean-up letter with many items to be removed or stored inside a shed, as the property was not cleaned up in the time given.
The council discussed whether or not they would share in the cost of the removal of a tree on a resident’s property due to the location of the curb stop. The council denied sharing in the cost of the tree removal.
The council discussed two properties that would like to have their curb stop raised on their property. It was the consensus of the council that the cost of raising the curb stops would be at the property owner’s expense as it did not relate to any work being done by the city. The cost would be $50 per hour plus the cost, if any, for materials.
The water/wastewater/maintenance items discussed are as follows:
1. The two trash pumps that are at Eagle Auto need to be removed. A motion was made by Jim Gohman to pick up a new trash pump, not to exceed $300. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
2. Chico is to obtain quotes to have dandelion sprays on city property.
3. Chico is to obtain quotes on a used lawn mower.
4. Chico informed the Council that the agitator that is to be installed in the water tower needs to be approved by the State. Water Tower Clean & Coat will take care of the necessary paperwork to obtain State approval.
5. There is a portion of rock on one of the ponds that looks like it is caving in. More information will be obtained to see what the cause may be.
6. A quote will be obtained to repair the bottom of the doors on the F450.
7. A proposed four year maintenance contract was submitted by Johnson Jet Line. The council decided to table the contract until after the jetting and televising is complete.
The Clerk was instructed to proceed with delinquent utility bills as allowed by ordinance.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve the various fund transfers as follows: $784.26 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund, $87.54 from the General Fund of which $28.04 goes to the Water Fund and $59.50 goes to the Sewer Fund for Fire Hall and Library utilities, and $93.90 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 Ralph Muellner to approve the payment of bills as listed and to include payment of the additional items as follows: $643 to Minnesota Revenue, $900 to Grey Eagle Cemetery Association, $927 to Greater MN Gas, $2,354.40 to Minnesota Power, $892.50 to Softline Data, $240 to 3Z Amusement, $101.25 to Todd County Public Works, $80.51 to Office Depot, $147.30 to Melrose Bakery, $250 to Bob Niehaus, $250 to Randy Schwinghammer and $119.39 to Mark Larson. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
With the spring rains and the loss of the Experienced Works employee, the city is in need of an additional temporary employee to help get things ready for Memorial Weekend. A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to hire a temporary fill in through Memorial Day. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to adjourn at 9:12 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 is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, 2015 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk