The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joseph Arnzen at 7:00 p.m., on the 14th day of May 2019 in council chambers. Council members present were Thom Muellner, Roland Ahrendt and Bill Pohlmann. Council member Brian Hollenkamp was absent. Also in attendance were Chico Hellmann, Lori Hellmann and guests Dan Berscheid, Joe Krueger, Angie Tepley, Marcus Berscheid, Linda Volkman, Tina Mehr, Mike Bitz, Brian Koehn and Derek Sprenger.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve the amended agenda. 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 of the April 9, 2019 meeting as written. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the minutes of the April 11, 2019 Board of Equalization meeting as written. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
City Attorney Joe Krueger presented the council with a purchase agreement for the 55’x100’ piece of property that the city is interested in purchasing for the placement of the new lift station. The purchase price to be $15,000 with all costs associated to the sale of the property being paid by the city. Rural Development needs to approve the purchase as part of the sewer rehabilitation project before moving forward with the platting requirements. An anticipated closing date of June 30th is expected; however the date can be moved ahead or pushed back.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve the purchase agreement as follows: $15,000 for 55’x100’ with all costs associated to the sale of the property being paid by the city and upon approval by Rural Development. 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 approve the Mayor and Clerk signing the purchase agreement on behalf of the City. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Pastor Mike Bitz was in attendance to discuss the sale and intended split of the parsonage house owned by St. John’s Church. Pastor Bitz stated that he was not in attendance to seek approval from the council for the sale of the property. He merely wanted the council to address simple property line adjustments that would not create undue financial hardship that the current ordinance seems to require. He would like the council to handle this the same way that sales have been allowed in the past. The council will look at the current ordinance.
The council discussed a fines list for the courts with Joe Krueger. This would enable a payable offense where the fine can be paid without needing to go to court. The court would add $75 fee plus $10 law library fee on top of whatever fine the council sets. They will send over a fines list for the council to review.
Dan Berscheid was in attendance to discuss the following Fire Department items:
1. Recommend that Glendon Becker be added to the Fire Department roster.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to add Glendon Becker to the Fire Department roster. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
2. Increase the Relief Association Benefits from $1050 per year of service to $1,200 per year of service. The assets for these benefits exceed the liabilities that will be paid out for the current roster.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the Relief Association benefits from $1050 per year of service to $1,200 per year of service. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
3. Recommend the removal of Landkammer and Tschida from the Fire Department roster.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to terminate Austin Landkammer and Craig Tschida from the Fire Department roster. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve the building permit application for Central Minnesota Credit Union for a privacy fence on the property line on the east side of the lot adjoining Erik Cole. A signed agreement by Erik Cole was submitted. 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 building permit application for James Brake to move in a 16’x22’ garage with a cement floor and foundation, allowing for required setbacks. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Linda Volkman was in attendance to discuss her property lines that runs along the Walburn property. She is disputing where the lines are versus where she was told the lot lines were. She also questioned why the lift station was being moved into the city limits next to her property. The current lift station location causes issues with the close proximity to Trace Lake and the fact that it is too low. The equipment at the new location wouldn’t be any more visible than what is at the current location.
Linda quoted approximately $120 per side to have a new vinyl sign added to each side of the community sign to replace the old ones.
Angie Tepley requested approval to remove the base for Pat Quirk’s headstone and put in a new 5’ base so that a stone could be also be placed for her Mom, Cindy Olson. The Council agreed to the request.
Brian Koehn presented the 2018 audit to the Council. The cemetery investment fund with American Funds needs to be revisited and look at changing into a more stable fund. Brian reported that City funds are in healthy condition. The state recommendation is to have 3 to 6 months on hand.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to close funds and transfer the balances as recommended by accountant. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Brian informed the council that due to the certificate of indebtedness no longer being included in the fire hall loan at Central Minnesota Credit Union, this loan would need to be paid off as soon as possible.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to pay off the remaining fire hall loan at Central Minnesota Credit Union. 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 approve the 2018 audit as presented. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council discussed property clean up. The Clerk was instructed to send letters to require clean up by June 11th.
It has been reported to council members and employees that there are two residents that have chickens. The current ordinance does not allow for the keeping of chickens unless approved by resolution by the council. The clerk was instructed to send letters to require removal by June 11th.
The Clerk presented the council with an out-of-state travel policy. The council will review and make a decision at the June meeting.
The Clerk provided the council with an update from Bryan Bye on the sewer project. The final plans have been submitted to Rural Development for approval.
A motion was made to authorize the Clerk to close out the AmeriFunds account and invest into a certificate of deposit. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to put the same eagle as on the City truck on each side of the community sign for $120 per side. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
National Night Out will be discussed at June meeting.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to set June 29, 2019 from 8:00-11:00 a.m. for city wide clean up date. Roll offs will be provided by Tom’s Refuse and a price sheet will be on site. City council members will monitor the roll offs and collect fees for the items brought. This clean up date will be open to the public. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The following water/wastewater/maintenance items were discussed:
1. 2020 vacation – discuss at next meeting.
2. Hire Dave Blaeser to help with lawn mowing.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to hire Dave Blaeser to help with lawn mowing as needed for contracted services at $11.00 per hour. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
3. There are trees at Bass Lake that may need removal.
4. A post was installed on the west side of the community sign to prevent the sign from being hit. It will be painted yellow to match the cement posts at the Veteran’s Memorial.
5. The truck still uses oil but runs and starts great but smokes. The council instructed to keep oil in and see what happens.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to increase part time/seasonal employee $1.00 per hour effective the next payroll. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council discussed old city hall. The Clerk was instructed to get more information for the June meeting.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the fund transfers as follows: $80,000 from Central Minnesota Credit Union checking to the First State Bank of Swanville checking, and $148.12 from the General Fund of which $31.12 goes to the water fund and $117 goes to the sewer fund for fire hall, old city 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 Thom Muellner to pay the bills as listed and to include the payment of the following additional items: $200 to Central Minnesota Credit Union, $2,101 to Minnesota Power, $200.46 to First State Bank of Swanville, and $395.42 to Terrain Aesthetics. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The clerk was instructed to see what other cities do for a subdivision ordinance.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to adjourn at 10:02 p.m. A second was made by Thom 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, June 11, 2019 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk
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