Grey Eagle City – September 11, 2012

Grey Eagle City
September 11, 2012
The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Jim Gohman at 7:00 p.m., on the 11th day of September, 2012 in council chambers. Council members present were Andrea Kraska, Dennis Barrett, and Thom Muellner, and Joe Arnzen. Also in attendance were Matt Zinniel, Andy Bartkowicz, Lori Hellmann and guests Duane Karls and Deputy Levin from the Todd County Sheriff’s Department.
A motion was made by Andrea Kraska to approve the agenda as submitted. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve the minutes of the August 21, 2012 meeting as written. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The following water/wastewater items were discussed:
1. Matt and Andy have been working with Preferred Controls from Albany, Minnesota to obtain estimates to update the water and wastewater plants with SCADA monitoring equipment.
2. Matt and Andy will work on a fall discharge possibly in late October.
The following maintenance items were discussed:
1. The Bass Lake boat ramp repair project was completed by Herdering, Inc.
2. A float on the pier at the Bass Lake access needs to be replaced. The City does not have sufficient equipment to do the needed repairs. The DNR will make the repairs this fall if they can make time to get it in.
There were no building permit applications for council consideration.
The Council discussed the leasing of Old City Hall. It was consensus of the Council that the rent charged would need to be sufficient enough to cover the cost of the property taxes and insurance. The tenant would be responsible for day to day repairs along with all utilities.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to charge $200 per month for rent of the Old City Hall to any potential tenant along with a $500 security deposit. A second was made by Andrea Kraska and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Council member Joe Arnzen joined the meeting.
Andy discussed the information he obtained from the City of Swanville regarding the snow plow wing. Andy will contact the company that did the snow plow to get specific information for the next meeting.
Duane Karls addressed the council regarding the culvert and water issues on his property. The survey pins were located and the landscaping that is located on the east end of the fire hall addition was found to be placed on the inside of property line so that any water coming from the fire hall would filter through the landscaping and slow down what may go onto Duane’s property. Research will be done to determine who is responsible for the culvert and will work with Loren Fellbaum from Todd County Public Works to see what could be done with the ditch on the east side of Duane’s property. Duane stated that he would like something done this fall so when spring comes, there won’t be any more water issues. The Council will see what they can do to accomplish this but could not guarantee that this time frame would be possible.
A motion was made by Andrea Kraska to spend up to $1,000 on two laptop computers and an inexpensive wireless printer for the Fire Department and water/wastewater departments. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve Resolution No. 2012-15: A Resolution accepting a $5,500 donation from the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club for Park projects. A second was made by Joe Arnzen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The above stated resolution may be read in its entirety in the Clerk’s office.
The Council discussed the proposed 2013 Budget and Levy. Due to the loss of the homestead credit on property taxes, the council made the decision to remove the levy for water and sewer. The levy for water and sewer was for the cost of the water and sewer portion of the bond payment for the Street Improvement project. By removing the water and sewer levy, the council will reduce the total levy by approximately 13.2%. The council felt that it would be more fiscally responsible during tougher economic times to instead increase water and sewer rates to help cover these costs. A rate study will be done with Minnesota Rural Water to help determine where our rates should be compared to what they are currently.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve Resolution No. 2012-16: A Resolution adopting proposed Levy payable in 2013. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
Resolution No. 2012-16: A Resolution Adoption Proposed Levy Payable in 2013. Therefore, Be It Resolved,that the following proposed budget for 2013 was approved and adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council on this 11th day of September, 2012.
FUND LEVY AMOUNT % OF TOTAL
GENERAL $60,392.00 62
FIRE $13,462.00 16
ST IMP PROJECT $19,411.00 22
TOTAL $93,265.00 100
The Council tabled water and sewer rate increases until a rate study can be done through Minnesota Rural Water.
The council received a letter from the Todd County Development Corporation regarding the economic development portion of the Todd County Comprehensive Plan. A meeting will be held on Monday, September 24, 2012 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Browerville Community Center. Jim Gohman and Dennis Barrett will attend this meeting.
The Clerk was instructed to proceed with delinquent utilities as allowed by ordinance.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve the various fund transfers as follows: $768.36 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund, $77.60 from the Sewer Fund to the Sewer Rehab Fund and $71.28 from the General Fund of which $16.28 goes to the Water Fund and $55 goes to the Sewer Fund for Fire Hall and Library utilities. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Joe Arnzen to approve payment of the bills as listed. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Mayor Jim Gohman reported that a Park Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 10:00 a.m., in council chambers.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. A second was made by Andrea Kraska 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, October 9, 2012 in council chambers.
These are unapproved minutes.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk