Minutes of the Swanville City Council meeting held in the Swanville Center on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. The meeting called to order 7:00 p.m. with the following members present: Sandy Lange, Jim Molitor, Norm Carlson and Tony Maciej. Absent: Deb Wood. Also present: Mark Hallen, reporter Sheila McCoy, Steve Gruber, Laurie Peterson, Amy Karjala and Lonny Hutchins.
Minutes of the Swanville City Council meeting held Tuesday, May 2, 2017 were reviewed. A motion was made by Jim Molitor to approve the minutes as printed. Norm Carlson 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.
There is an alley way behind 610 Rhoda Avenue that was not vacated back in 1938 when all the rest of land was vacated. With that, the property owner is asking if this alley could be vacated by the city now. In order to vacate this alley there needs to be a Public Hearing and after that a resolution needs to be past and then be recorded. After discussion, Jim Molitor made a motion to have a public hearing on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at 6:45 p.m. before the regular monthly meeting. Tony Maciej seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
Mark Hallen, city engineer, was present to go over the North Berkey Avenue Project. A preconstruction meeting was held Wednesday, May 31 with project contractors. Work started Monday, June 5 with storm and public sewer work under County Road 12. Next will be water and utility work. If all goes well, work will be completed on Co. Rd. 12 and reopened on Friday, June 9. Hallen asked council if another water hydrant should be installed in the project. The cost would be about $4500.00. Jim Molitor made a motion to have another water hydrant installed in the project. Tony Maciej seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
The covenant for the lots in the North Berkey Avenue Addition was looked over and discussed. After discussion Jim Molitor made a motion to accept the Declaration of Covenants for the North Berkey Avenue Addition. Norm Carlson seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
Laurie Peterson and Steve Gruber were present to ask council if they could secure Lot 3 Block 1 in the North Berkey Addition. After discussion, Tony Maciej made a motion to secure lot 3 Block 1 for 90 days upon completion of the North Berkey Avenue Project and then one year upon completion of the purchase agreement with a down payment of $500.00 and the balance being paid at the time of purchase. Purchase price shall be returned should they decide not to purchase in the allotted time. Jim Molitor seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
Paper work was given to council for the issuance, sale and delivery of $270,000.00 general obligation tax increment note to be used for the North Berkey Avenue Project. Council looked over and discussed. After discussion, Norm Carlson introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption for resolution authorizing the issuance, sale, and delivery of $279,000 general obligation tax increment note, series 2017A. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Tony Maciej and upon a vote being taken, the following voted I favor thereof: Mayor Sandy Lange, Jim Molitor, Norm Carlson, and Tony Maciej. And the following voted against the same: none. Whereupon the resolution was declared duly passes and adopted.
The Swanville Lions Club is requesting a 3 day temporary strong liquor license for the Swanville Carnival July 7, 8, and 9. Tony Maciej made a motion to give the Swanville Lions Club a 3 day temporary strong liquor license for a fee of $80.00 for July 7, 8, and 9, 2017. Jim Molitor seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried. The Clerk will send in the necessary paper work to the State of MN.
Land use applications were looked at. Jesse Hollermann would like to add a 20’x16’ cement patio on his property. Jim Molitor made a motion to approve Hollermann’s permit. Tony Maciej seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.
Josh Larum would like to add a 26’x26’ garage and 24’x20’ cement slab. Council decided to table until they can visit with Larum about the application.
There are land owners within the city with grass taller than 7” which violates the city ordinance. Letters will be sent to these land owners. There are also landowners with junk cars on their property, which also violates the city’s junk car ordinance. Letters will also go out to these land owners.
Amy Karjala was present to ask for a land use permit to put up a privacy fence on her property at 406 DeGraff Avenue. Karjala has had the property surveyed and found out the neighbors garage is two feet on her property and is wondering how far the fence has to be from the garage. After discussion, council agreed Karjala needs to fill out a land use application and bring the application to the next Planning and Zoning meeting. In the mean time Mayor Lange will visit with the city attorney and report the information to the P & Z committee.
The following claims were presented for payment. Members of the council were furnished with a listing. Tony Maciej 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 Wednesday, July 5, 2017, because of the 4th of July, with a Public Hearing at 6:45 p.m. held before the monthly meeting.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Jim Molitor and seconded by Norm Carlson to adjourn. All members voted in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned 8:30 p.m.
Julie Hollermann, City Clerk/Treasurer