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Swanville City • July 5, 2023

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Minutes of the Swanville City Council meeting held in the Swanville Center on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. The meeting called to order 7:00 p.m. with the following members present: Sandy Lange, Norm Carlson, Jim Molitor, and Tony Maciej. Absent: John Dragseth. Also present: Jon Archer, Danny Thieschafer, Holly Wilson and Clif Allen, and Reporter Terry Lerhke,
Minutes of the Swanville City Council meeting Tuesday, June 6, 2023 was reviewed. A motion was made by Tony Maciej to approve the minutes. Jim Molitor seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
The treasures report was given. A motion was made by Norm Carlson and seconded by Tony Maciej to approve the treasurer’s report. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
Danny Thieschafer was present to discuss the land at the end of Second Street to the east. He is planning on buying land there is wondering about putting in water and sewer. Council agreed there is a curb stop at the end of the road and Thieschafer would have to pay from the new house to the curb stop. The land to the east of 103 Swan Avenue, which is in the city limits, would be sectioned off in three parts for now. Council did not see a problem with that.
A land use permit was presented to the council from the Swanville Produce to add a 30’x50’ cement apron to the north onto the existing shed. Tony Maciej made a motion to approve the land use permit for the Swanville Produce. Norm Carlson seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried
Holly Wilson and Clif Allen, city engineers, updated council with the water project. New wells have been drilled and Traut Wells will be back in the next few days to test the pumping and for PFAS. Still waiting for the results of the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPA) and word about funding from Rural Development (RD). A meeting will be set up with RD on July 18, 2:00 pm, probably virtually, in the Swanville Center to discuss funding for the water project. Mayor Lange asked if assessing residents on Second, Fourth, and Sixth Streets tarring project is a possibility. Engineers did advise counsel to consider assessing. Norm Carlson made a motion to assess the residents on these streets getting tarred. Tony Maciej seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried. Allen stated there will be three bids, with the primary source of funding from the USDA, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and MN Public Facilities Authority (PFA). The three different bids that will be put out at the same time will include the First as the meter project, replacing water meters. Second is the water distribution system with all the underground work, including 2nd, 4th and 6th Streets and the Berkey Avenue 1st Addition development. The third bid will be for the water reservoir and the wells and the closer of the old wells.
Jon Archer, City Auditor with Schlenner Wenner & Co, was present to go over with council the 2022 city audit. Archer stated it was a clean audit, no issues. Archer explained the audit in detail. Archer advised raising water rates annually would be a good idea. Jim Molitor made a motion to accept the 2022 Audit. Norm Carlson seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
Mayor Lange gave an update on the Central MN Housing loan project. There was a very good showing at the meeting. Residents received paper work and information on all they need to do to receive the loan. Results will be given to the City with in the next month or two.
The Initiative Foundation is asking the council to consider a 2024 contribution. After discussion, Jim Molitor made a motion to contribute $700.00 in 2024. Norm Carlson seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
Council discussed getting a new Kubota. City maintenance, Lonny, will get quotes for a new Kubota and trade in on the old one for the next council meeting.
The following claims were presented for payment. Members of the council were furnished with a listing. Jim Molitor made a motion to approve the claims. Norm Carlson seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
The next regular monthly meeting will be held Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Swanville Center.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Norm Carlson and seconded by Jim Molitor to adjourn. All members voted in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned 8:45 p.m.
Julie Hollermann, City Clerk/Treasurer
There was a virtual meeting on July 18, 2023 at 2:00 pm with Jeff Scholten, Rural Development, Mary Jane Schultz, PFA, Holly Wilson and Clif Allen, Moore Engineering and present in the Swanville Center was Mayor Lange, Norm Calson and Julie Hollermann with reporter Terry Lehrke and Diane Piekarski. Scholten stated all applications are complete and in place. Waiting game still in place.