The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joe Arnzen at 7:00 p.m., on the 10th day of October 2017 in council chambers. Council members present were Roland Ahrendt, Thom Muellner, Bill Pohlmann and Brian Hollenkamp. There were no council members absent. Also in attendance were Chico Hellmann, Lori Hellmann and guests Larry VanHout and Duane Towle.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve the amended agenda. 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 minutes of the September 12, 2017 meeting as written. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Duane Towle was in attendance requesting approval to connect to city water for his home just outside city limits. The estimate for Ferguson Brothers Excavating to install the curb stop is $3,350 which would be the cost of the connection fee for Duane’s property. The DNR had no issues with a water line being bored from the curb stop to the home. The neighbor provided a written statement allowing an easement for Duane for the curb stop and the maintenance of his water line. Water shut off would be required before and after the meter. The City would provide the meter and remote as part of the connection to the city water supply. The City would need to apply for a permit from MnDOT for work that will take place in the road right-of-way.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve the Duane Towle’s request to connect his home outside of city limits with the cost of connection fee to be $3,350. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Larry VanHout from Widseth Smith Nolting was in attendance to discuss information provided by Rural Development for the proposed sewer rehabilitation project. The city competed nationally for a pool of money that was available for projects such as ours. Rural Development approved the preliminary engineering report with some changes, which had a total project cost of $4,294,700.00. On September 26, 2017 Jeff Scholten from Rural Development met with Mayor Joe Arnzen, Clerk Lori Hellmann and City Engineer Bryan Bye. The purpose of the meeting was to report that the City would receive a $2,800,000.00 grant from Rural Development but the funds had to be obligated before October 1st. It was at that time that Mayor Joe Arnzen signed the necessary documents to obligate the funds. This does not obligate the city to move forward with the project. The city would then be responsible for a loan for the project for $1,125,000.00, which would be paid for over a 40 year period through user fees of approximately $40 per month per service. In order to move forward, the city would need to approve an agreement for engineering services with Widseth Smith Nolting. Larry explained the agreement to the council regarding the services they would provide and the costs associated with those services.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve engineering agreement with Widseth Smith Nolting for the proposed sewer rehabilitation project. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon roll call vote the members voted as follows: Roland Ahrendt – aye, Thom Muellner – aye, Brian Hollenkamp – aye, Bill Pohlmann – aye, Joe Arnzen – aye, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to move forward with the sewer rehabilitation project with total project costs of $4,294,700.00 with $2,800,000.00 being a grant from Rural Development and total loan amount of approximately $1,125,000.00. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon roll call vote, the members voted as follows: Roland Ahrendt – aye, Thom Muellner – aye, Brian Hollenkamp – aye, Bill Pohlmann – aye, Joe Arnzen – aye, motion carried.
Larry VanHout provided a copy of a sump pump inspection program for council review. There are many homes that currently have sump pumps piped into the sanitary sewer system which only adds to the current infiltration issues of an already aged system. The city has an ordinance which makes it illegal to have sump pumps being pumped into the sanitary sewer system. A sump pump inspection could be done in conjunction with the sewer rehabilitation project. Sump pumps should be plumbed so that the water would be pumped outside. The council will review the sump pump inspection program.
The following water/wastewater/maintenance items were discussed:
1. The curb stop at the park can’t be dug up and repaired until it dries out.
2. The MPCA permit for the sanitary sewer system will not allow pumping of the ponds in
any other manner than what is currently being done, nor can the permit be modified.
3. Locates have been received for the installation of the curb stop for Duane Towle.
The Fire Department would like to change out the sink in the Fire Department meeting room. The council will consider once a plan on what is to be installed is presented to the council. Cost of the installation of the sink will be at no cost to the city.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve the contract with the Todd County Attorney. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council discussed changing the lights at the Library. The matter was tabled until cost estimates are submitted to the council along with a proposal on how they are to be paid for.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve Resolution No. 20179-22, A Resolution to Assess Unpaid Utility Bills to Property Tax Rolls. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt 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 Roland Ahrendt to set the annual Fire Board Meeting for Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., in the Fire Department meeting room. 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. 2017-23, A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance, Sale and Delivery of $338,000 Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2017A. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The above stated resolution will be attached to the minutes and may be read in its entirety at the Clerk’s Office.
City Hall will be closed October 18-20 for Clerk vacation.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve a building permit for John and Joan Behsman to build a 16’x9’ deck on the north side of the house. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Clerk was instructed to proceed with delinquent utility bills as allowed by ordinance.
The Clerk was instructed to check with Todd County Sheriff’s Department regarding the use of electronic speed limit signs.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the various fund transfers as follows: $8,704.14 from the Sewer Fund to the PFA Debt Service Fund, $750.67 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 Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to pay the bills as presented and to include the payment of the following additional items: $200 to Central Minnesota Credit Union, $200 to Todd Soil Water Conservation District and $2,162.61 to Minnesota Power. 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 adjourn at 8:41 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 will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk