The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joe Arnzen at 7:00 p.m., on the 11th day of September 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 guests Kristie Kuhlmann and Bobby Pallansch.
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 Thom Muellner to approve the minutes of the August 15, 2018 meeting as written. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Kristie Kuhlmann was in attendance to update the council on the progress of the property at 304 State Street East. The gates are done but not hung and then will need to be covered with steel to match the rest of the fence. The nuisance clean up order will not be addressed by the council until the fence is completed.
The following water/wastewater/maintenance items were discussed:
1. Ferguson Brothers will be coming to repair the wastewater outfall pipe.
2. Russ from Water Tower Clean and Coat will be coming to repair the bubbler for the water tower.
3. The chlorine pump is being repaired by Hawkins.
4. Electric Pump repaired the lift station pump and is now back in use.
5. Chico and Bob have been working on pressure washing and painting the fire hydrants around the city.
Chico has been using his pressure washer. A motion was made by Thom Muellner to pay $100 for pressure washer rental. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Bobby Pallansch submitted a building permit application to the council to move in a 16’ x 10’ shed to the back of his property. A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve the building permit application. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Joe, Chico and Lori conducted the three month review with seasonal employee Bob Skuza. Bob is working out well, is on time and accomplishes the duties required. A motion was made by Thom Muellner to $1.00 per hour increase for Bob Skuza effective with the last pay period of this month. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Mayor Joe Arnzen updated the council on the community sign, tree trimming and snow piled in the State Bank parking lot. Mr. Holig would approve having the community sign placed closer to the parking lot and would sign documents for this purpose. Chico will work on getting estimates for a cement pad on which to place the community sign as well as an estimate for power to the sign. Mr. Holig would allow snow to be piled up in the bank parking lot however he would like the pile to be kept small so that it does not take up too much in the way of parking spaces. A tree encroaching the sidewalk will be trimmed or removed before winter.
A motion was made by Thom Muellner to approve Resolution No. 2018-15, A Resolution Accepting $2,750 Donation from the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club for Fire Department Equipment. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution may be read in its entirety at the Clerk’s Office.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve Resolution No. 2018-16, A Resolution Accepting $1,859.45 from the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club for Community Appreciation. A second was made by Thom Muellner 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.
The council discussed the 2019 budget, levy and wages. The general levy increased by $2,923.00 while the Fire levy decreased by $786.00 and the Street Improvement Project levy decreased by $2,235.00. Total proposed levy for 2019 is $95,910.00.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to $1.00 per hour increase for Maintenance Supervisor effective January 1, 2019. 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 approve Resolution No. 2018-17, A Resolution Approving 2019 Proposed Levy. A second was made by Bill Pohlmann and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The above stated resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-17: A RESOLUTION ADOPTING PROPOSED LEVY PAYABLE IN 2019
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following proposed budget for 2019 was approved and adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council on this 11th day of September, 2018.
FUND LEVY AMOUNT % OF TOTAL
GENERAL $66,030.00 68
FIRE $12,404.00 13
ST IMP PROJECT $17,476.00 19
TOTAL $95,910.00 100
Adopted this 11th day of September, 2018.
The council discussed a request to split a parcel on Cedar Street South. The Council would be open to the possible split but would require the property lines to be in line with other properties.
The council discussed the stop sign by Update Building Supplies. It was the consensus of the council to keep the stop sign where it is.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the donation request of $200 to Envirofest. A second was made by Thom Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The following building permits were approved by Mayor Joe Arnzen: Steve Bitz to put cement in front of his big shed, Russell Achman to put in a child fence and for St. Joseph’s Catholic Church to remove landscaping rock in front of parish house and install cement.
A motion was made by Bill Pohlmann to approve the building permit application for Linda Wershing to install a sidewalk from the house to the garage. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Ken Messer submitted a sketch for cement he would like to install. The matter was tabled until more information could be obtained.
The council discussed the dumping of trash in city containers by someone on Big Birch Lake. The garbage containers located throughout the city and city parks are there for city residents to use or for people who are using city park facilities. The Clerk was instructed to send a letter to the individual.
The council discussed the dumping of lawn and lake debris on City property at Laughlin Park by someone on Big Birch Lake. The Clerk was instructed to send a letter to the individual.
The council will not be having city property sprayed this fall.
The council would like to remind residents that when walking your dogs around the city, or at the city parks, dogs are to be leashed at all times. Residents are also reminded to clean up after your pet when they leave a mess behind.
The council would like to move forward with putting in a few campsites at the Lions Park and will work with members of the Lions Club to see what both parties could agree on.
Mayor Joe Arnzen had a resident request a Dead End road sign be placed on Pearl Street East. The council determined that this was not necessary.
The Clerk will be out of the office on October 8, October 18 and October 19th.
The Clerk was instructed to proceed with delinquent utilities as allowed by ordinance. Due to high unpaid utilities, and because there was no contact by three individuals a motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to assess four properties to the county to be placed on the property tax rolls for collection. 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 various fund transfers as follows: $750.67 from the Fire Fund to the Fire Hall Debt Service Fund and $106.45 from the General Fund of which $31.45 goes to the Water Fund and $75 goes to the Sewer Fund for Fire Hall and Library utilities. A second was made by Thom Muellner 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: $1,540 to Todd County Auditor, $200 to Central Minnesota Credit Union, $100 to Larry Hellmann, and $10,225.79 to Central Minnesota Credit Union. 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 adjourn the meeting at 8:23 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, October 9, 2018 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, City Clerk