The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joe Arnzen at 7:00 p.m., on the 13th day of November, 2018 in council chambers. Council members present were Roland Ahrendt, Thom Muellner and Brian Hollenkamp. Council member Bill Pohlmann was absent. Also in attendance were Chico Hellmann, Lori Hellmann and guests Dan Berscheid and Ken Messer.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the amended agenda. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the minutes of the October 9, 2018 meeting as written. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Fire Chief Dan Berscheid was in attendance to discuss the following Fire Department items:
1. The Fire Department is recommending that Brandon DeFoe and Austin Landkammer be approved to the Fire Department roster effective immediately.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve Brandon DeFoe and Austin Landkammer to the Grey Eagle Volunteer Fire Department effective immediately. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
2. The Fire Department truck committee is looking at replacing the Mack tanker. The cost would be approximately $165,000.
A motion was made Brian Hollenkamp to move forward with the tanker. The Fire Department would need to come back to the council for approval for purchase. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council discussed the sewer use charge for vacant homes or businesses within the city. Effective January 1, 2019 the sewer use charge will be charged whether or not the water is connected.
The Council discussed removing snow from the sidewalks. Property owners are reminded that it is their responsibility to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice. The two business blocks of State Street (Main Street) will be cleaned by the City IF there is two inches of snow or more.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the contract with Herdering, Inc., for snow removal. 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 accept the resignation of Dennis Bacon as the CPA for the City financial auditor. 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 Brian Koehn as the CPA for the City financial auditor. 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 Resolution No. 2018-19, A Resolution Canvassing the November 6, 2018 Municipal Election Returns and Declaring Results. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
Resolution No. 2018-19
A Resolution Canvassing the November 6, 2018 Municipal Election Returns and Declaring Results
WHEREAS, the City of Grey Eagle held a municipal election on November 6, 2018; and
WHEREAS the City Clerk has prepared a summary of the returns of the forenamed election; and
WHEREAS, the City Council must canvass the municipal election returns and declare the results after the election.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City of Grey Eagle City Council that the following returns are hereby canvassed and declared the official results of the November 6, 2018 election.
Mayor Votes
Joe Arnzen 114
Write-in 6
Council Members –
4 year term Votes
Brian Hollenkamp 99
Roland Ahrendt 79
Write-in 7
VOTING AYE
__X__ Roland Ahrendt
__X__ Joe Arnzen
__X__ Brian Hollenkamp
__X__ Thom Muellner
_____ Bill Pohlmann
WHEREUPON, said resolution is hereby declared passed on this 13th day of November, 2018.
The council discussed the storing of City records. The space currently being used to store the records is at capacity and a new space needs to be found. The council will look at options for space in the Old City Hall.
The following building permits were discussed:
1. Jason Blommel submitted a building permit application to put in a 15’ wide by 12’ long storage shed on the cement slab behind his garage.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the building permit to put in a 15 x 12 storage shed on the cement slab behind the garage within the required setbacks. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council discussed a canvas storage shed that was put up without approval. The Clerk was instructed to send a letter requesting attendance at the December 11, 2018 meeting to further discuss the canvas shed.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to accept the resignation of Robert Skuza as the part time/seasonal employee. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Clerk was instructed to submit a help wanted ad to the Long Prairie Leader, the Hometown News and the Dairyland Peach.
The Clerks was instructed to proceed with delinquent utilities as allowed by ordinance.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the various fund transfers as follows: $700.70 from the Sewer Fund to the Water Fund, $635 from the Garbage Fund to the Water Fund, $168 from the Street Improvement Debt Service to Street, $224.05 from the Fire Equipment Fund to the Fire Hall Capital Fund, $904.10 from the Water Debt Fund to the Street Fund, $1855.77 from the Capital Projects Fund to the Fire Hall Capital Fund, $570 from the Garbage Fund to the Street Fund, $1673 from the Capital Projects Fund to the Street Fund, $903.40 from the Water Fund to the Water Debt Fund. These transfers were submitted by Dennis Bacon to clean up the accounting from various years. The other transfers are as follows: $750.67 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund, and $106.12 from the General Fund of which $31.12 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 bills as listed and to include the payment of the following additional items: $2,434 to Tom’s Refuse, $200 to Central Minnesota Credit Union, $1,796.77 to Minnesota Power and $33 to Volunteer Firefighter’s Benefit Association. 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 adjourn at 8:14 p.m. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp 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, December 11, 2018 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk