Grey Eagle City May 9, 2017

The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joe Arnzen at 7:00 p.m., on the 9th day of May, 2017 in council chambers. Council members present were Roland Ahrendt, Thom Muellner and Bill Pohlmann. There were no council members absent. Also in attendance were Chico Hellmann, Lori Hellmann and guests Rick Utech, John Roe, Brian Hollenkamp, Dennis Bacon, Dan Berscheid, Derek Pohlmann, Jeri Ahrens, Jill Ainali, Ken Messer and Jeff Koehn.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the amended agenda. 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 minutes of the April 11, 2017 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 Roland Ahrendt to approve the minutes of the April 12, 2017 Board of Equalization meeting as written. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Dennis Bacon presented the 2016 audit to the Council. Dennis stated that the city is in good financial condition but that the council should continue to look at water and sewer rates, continue to monitor the bills each month and checking bank reconciliations, and to keep close tabs on expenses. A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the 2016 audit as presented by Dennis Bacon. 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 appoint Samantha Pohlmann to the Fire Department roster. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Dan Berscheit reported that the aluminum box for the rescue rig is being manufactured.
Dan Berscheit is requesting that the council increase the benefit to the Grey Eagle Relief Association from $950 per year of service to $1,050 per year of service. The Relief Association has $326,000 in liabilities and $412,000 in assets which is a 30% surplus of funds. A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to increase the benefit to the Grey Eagle Relief Association to $1,050 per year of service. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
John Roe was in attendance representing the Big Birch Lake Association regarding the water line break and subsequent bill. The water line break was before the meter but was after the curb stop. The Big Birch Lake Association Board felt that more could have been done to find the water leak sooner and that it would only seem equitable to charge for the costs incurred in locating the source of the water leak and not for the two million gallons of water that they were billed for because it did not run through the meter. Their insurance company covered the clean-up but would cover nothing on the water loss. John was authorized by the Big Birch Lake Association Board to do whatever he can to come to an agreement with the council regarding the bill. They would also like to have the water turned back on while the matter is being negotiated. The council agreed to have the water turned back on and will their offer after consulting with the city attorney.
Rick Utech was in attendance to provide the council with information regarding the Todd County Economic Development. The new website is toddcountydevelopment.org and they received an NJP Innovation Grant for a regional website. They have also provided loan assistance to Chris’ Country Store and KB’s Specialties and have generated some potential interest in the now empty café.
Jeri Ahrens and Jill Ainali were in attendance to get approval to have their portion of undeveloped Bovee Street graded to level it out and then have some crushed granite hauled in to fill in the pot holes at their expense. A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to allow the Ahrens and Ainali families to grade and haul in crushed granite at their expense on that portion of Bovee Street that they currently use as their driveways. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Ken Messer was in attendance seeking council approval to put an extension on the culvert that goes under the alley. Chico will contact Erv Herdering to have him come and look at the culvert. If the work needs to be completed, it will be done by Herdering, Inc.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to appoint Brian Hollenkamp to the remaining 18 months of the vacant council seat. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Mayor Joe Arnzen closed the meeting for employee evaluation at 8:15 p.m.
Mayor opened the regular meeting at 8:37 p.m.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to increase the wage for the part time maintenance employee to $14 per hour with review of wage in six months. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Clerk will work with the city attorney on the Fire Department compensation policy.
The council discussed the community sign. There is a potential site for the sign to be placed but Chico would need to contact MnDOT to find out what setbacks would be required.
Mayor Joe Arnzen left the meeting at 9:09 p.m. Acting Mayor Thom Muellner took over.
The Clerk informed the council that the Tobacco and Alcohol ordinance needs to be updated due to changes in state law. A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to call for a public hearing on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 7:30 p.m., in the council meeting room. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Clerk informed the council that there was an offer made regarding the Parish headstone at Lakeview Cemetery. Mr. Parish offered $1,000 donation to the cemetery if the council would approve the larger headstone. Based on information obtained from the city attorney, it was the consensus of the council that their previous decision stands and will not allow the larger headstone.
The Clerk was instructed to contact the Todd County Sheriff’s Department regarding a vehicle that has been left on a vacant property.
The following water/wastewater/maintenance items were discussed:
1. Discussed the four year service contract with Johnson Jet Line. If a sewer project would take place any time during the four year contract, the contract would cancel the year the project would start. Chico will request the new contract for the June meeting.
2. A battery back-up for the SCADA system would cost approximately $500. A motion was made by Thom Muellner to purchase a battery back-up for the SCADA system not to exceed $500. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
3. The dock has been installed at the Bass Lake access.
4. Chico received a verbal quote to repair 4 gate valves at the cost of $300 each which includes parts and labor. A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve the repair of four gate valves at the quoted price. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
5. It was reported that someone has been driving on the undeveloped street by the storage unit on the south end of Ward Street. Chico will put up tape to block off that section of street.
6. Chico reported that there are car tires on the front of the tractor. This makes it difficult to mow the outside structures of the ponds because they are too smooth and tend to slide. Chico will get a quote for two new tires and report at the June meeting.
7. The roof vents at the water plant were leaking and have been repaired by Ken Frieler.
8. Both generators worked well during a recent power outage in the city.
The Clerk was instructed to proceed with delinquent utility bills as allowed by ordinance.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the various fund transfers as follows: $28,980.50 from Central Minnesota Credit Union checking to First State Bank of Swanville checking, $748.26 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund and $101.26 from the General Fund of which $31.26 goes to the Water Fund and $70 goes to the Sewer Fund for Fire Hall and Library utilities. 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 payment of bills as listed and to include payment of the following additional items: $1,854.94 to Minnesota Power, $200 to Central Minnesota Credit Union and $5,300 to Dennis Bacon. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to adjourn at 9:34 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 13, 2017 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk