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 October 2018 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 guest Ken Messer.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve the agenda as written. 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 minutes of the September 11, 2018 meeting as written. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Chico reported that when he was driving the plow truck to Melrose it lost all power. A new sensor was installed but was still not running properly. It is possible that the turbo either needs to be cleaned, for approximately $600 or replaced for approximately $1,200. Joe will check with Melrose 1 Stop on cleaning or repairing the turbo.
Ken Messer was in attendance seeking a building permit to install a cement sidewalk from his deck to the cement by his driveway. Ken stated that the cement would end approximately fifteen feet from the alley. A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the permit with the following conditions: even though the permit is good for one year, the council would like to have this done yet this fall, weather permitting. Otherwise it needs to be completed by the spring. The council does not wish to have this drag out. There will be no working on this after 9:00 p.m. on any night. Ken would need to maintain the approximately fifteen feet from the alley as he stated it would be. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council also informed Mr. Messer that he needs to refrain from parking any trailers, equipment, vehicles, etc., a minimum of five feet away from the edge of the road.
The council discussed the cost of park maintenance. It has cost approximately $12,000 to maintain the parks this season. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to request $10,000 from the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club for park maintenance. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council discussed the need to replace the John Deere Zero Turn lawnmower. It will cost approximately $10,000 – $12,000 to replace depending on what they get to replace it. Currently there is a quote for a new commercial John Deere as well as a new Kubota. A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to request $5,000 from the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club towards the purchase of the new lawnmower. The remainder of the funds needed would come out of cemetery funds. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
There has been some discussion regarding the easement that the City has north of the old school property. This easement is for City purposes only, not for the general public to use as they wish. The council may grant use of this easement when there is a need for city purposes or functions. Any requests for use of this easement must come before the council.
The council discussed the City parks. The council would like to remind residents that the City owns, maintains and insures the facilities with generous donations from the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club. Any improvements to any of the park facilities need to go through the Council at a City Council meeting.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to set the annual Fire Board meeting for November 20, 2018 at 7:00 p.m., in the Fire Department meeting room. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council discussed water and sewer rates. The sewer rates have been increasing incrementally over the last several years in anticipation of the sewer rehabilitation project. The loan for this project will be paid for with sewer use charges and that rate needs to be between $42 and $45 per month once the project is complete. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to increase the sewer rate from $37.50 to $39 effective January 1, 2019. Water rates will remain as is. 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 set December 11, 2018 at 6:30 p.m., for the Truth in Taxation meeting. 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 liquor license application for the Double R Saloon. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve the 3.2 liquor license application for the Junction. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council discussed the Wellhead Protection Plan. The plan is nearing completion and there needs to be a public hearing before the plan can be finalized. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to call for a public hearing on the Wellhead Protection Plan for Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 7:15 p.m., in council chambers. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council discussed building permits in the city. There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding when a permit is needed. A building permit is needed when something is added to the exterior of the home that was not there originally. The following is a list of items that requires a permit approved by the city council: moving in a storage shed, whether temporary or permanent, installing cement or tar for driveway or parking space, or in place of landscaping or class 5, installation of any type of fence, moving in a home/mobile home/garage, installation of decks, and installing sidewalks. Residents do NOT need a permit when replacing siding as long as nothing is added that wasn’t there. Residents do NOT need a permit when replacing windows or doors as long as the size stays the same. If you are unsure whether or not a permit is needed, please call the Clerk’s office.
The Clerk 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: $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 Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the payment of the bills as listed and to include $200 to Central Minnesota Credit Union. 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 adjourn the meeting at 8:10 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, November 13, 2018 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk