The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Jim Gohman at 7:00 p.m., on the 9th day of December, 2014 in council chambers. Council members present were Ralph Muellner and Dennis Barrett. Council members absent were Andrea Kraska and Thom Muellner. Also in attendance were Lori Hellmann, Andy Bartkowicz and guests Joe Arnzen, Matt Zinniel and Romie Gessell Jr.
A motion was made by Dennis Barrett to approve the amended agenda. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to approve the minutes of the November 12, 2014 meeting as written. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Dennis Barrett to approve the minutes of the November 25, 2014 Emergency meeting as written. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The following water/wastewater/maintenance items were discussed:
1. Jetting and televising the sewer lines. Andy stated that there was actually two thousand feet less to jet and televise, which could result in a little cheaper quote. Andy also stated that the prices quoted were for now but was certain that come spring the prices would increase.
2. Old City Hall was discussed. There was no new information to report at this time.
3. The council discussed an issue with a culvert at the corner or Woodman Street North and North Lake Street West. Since this culvert really can’t be fixed until spring, Andy was instructed to get a cover to put over the top to eliminate further damage.
4. The lawn mower that is used with the snow blower has been dented. Andy was instructed to find out how the damage occurred. Any damage to city equipment or property must be reported to the City Clerk immediately.
The council reviewed applications for the City Maintenance position. Currently there are no applications with the licensing needed for water and wastewater. Matt is willing to continue to work with the city to train the individual to obtain the needed licensing. The license requirements for the city is a Class D Wastewater and a Class C Water and would require a three year time commitment from Matt before a person could obtain the needed licensing. An unlicensed individual would need to complete one year of working under Matt before they would be qualified to take the tests for Class D Water and Class D Wastewater. Once the Class D Water license is obtained, it would is an additional two years of working under Matt to be qualified to take the Class C Water license.
The council called for a special meeting to be held on Monday, December 15, 2014 at 6:30 p.m., to interview any applicants interested in the position. The special meeting notice and agenda will be posted at City Hall, the post office and the bulletin board next to Style N Go.
Romie Gessell Jr. was in attendance for the council to view a truck for council consideration. The truck is a 2008 Chevrolet Colorado automatic transmission with push button four wheel drive. A motion was made by Jim Gohman to purchase the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado from Gessell Auto Sales for $8,807.38 which includes, tax, title and license. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Dennis Barrett to approve the liquor license application for the Double R Saloon, Inc. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Dennis Barrett to approve the 3.2 liquor license application for The Junction. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to approve tobacco licenses for Double R Saloon, Inc., The Junction, Chris’ Country Store and Grey Eagle Gas and Grocery. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Library book return will be painted in the spring.
The council discussed water and sewer rates. A motion was made by Dennis Barrett to increase the water minimum rate from $11 to $12.50 and the sewer flat rate from $29 per month to $29.75 effective January 1, 2015. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Jim Gohman to assess a $5 late fee to any utility bills that are unpaid on the 26th of each month, effective January 1, 2015. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Dennis Barrett to approve Resolution No. 2014-22, A Resolution Approving the 2015 Final Levy. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The above stated resolution is as follows:
Resolution No. 2014-22: A Resolution Adopting Proposed Levy Payable In 2015
Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the following proposed budget for 2015 was approved and adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council on this 9th day of December, 2014.
Levy Payable 2015
Fund Levy Amount % of Total
General $60,392.00 65
Fire $13,580.00 14
Street Imp. Proj. $18,402.00 21
Total $92,374.00 100
Adopted this 9th day of December, 2014.
The council discussed the wood burner issue and information received from the City Attorney regarding this matter.
The Clerk presented the council with information regarding a recent survey to the property owned by Loretta Peterson. The property is in the process of being sold and during the survey and title search it was found that there was an alley running north and south along the east side of the driveway. It was found that a portion of the driveway and the garage are on this property and in order for the property to be sold, the city would need to grant a license agreement or an easement agreement. The Clerk was instructed to have all materials sent to the City Attorney for review before a decision could be made.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to approve Resolution No. 2014-23, A Resolution Accepting $150 Donation from Swanville Dollars for Scholars for Fire Department Equipment. A second was made by Dennis Barrett 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.
A motion was made by Dennis Barrett to approve Resolution No. 2014-24, A Resolution Accepting $1,500 Donation from the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Club for the Empty Stocking Program. A second was made by Ralph 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.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to approve Resolution No. 2014-25, A Resolution Appointing the Swanville Insurance Agency, and Julie Zupko as the Agent for Insurance through the League of Minnesota Cities. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The council discussed the two vehicles that have been towed on to a vacant lot in the city. The owners of the vehicles as well as the property owners were sent letters requiring that these vehicles be removed. The Clerk was instructed to contact the City Attorney to obtain more information regarding towing the vehicles from the lot.
The council discussed cleaning the streets before the colder weather freezes what is there.
A motion was made by Dennis Barrett to approve the various fund transfers as follows: $2,008.60 from Sewer Fund to Sewer Infrastructure Fund for the period December 2013 and March through November 2014, $8,382.10 from HCP Fund to General Fund for RV Park engineer fees, $14,372.61 from Water Fund (301) to Street Improvement Debt Service Fund for the water portion of the street project and $82.70 from the General Fund of which $24.70 goes to the Water Fund and $58 goes to the Sewer Fund for Fire Hall and Library utilities. A second was made by Ralph Muellner and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Ralph Muellner to pay the bills as listed and to include payment of the following: $1,500 to the Empty Stocking Program and $18,265 to Rural Development. A second was made by Dennis Barrett and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Mayor thanked council member Dennis Barrett for his four years of service to the city as a city council member.
A motion was made by Dennis Barrett to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. A second was made by Ralph Muellner 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, January 13, 2015 in council chambers.
Lori Hellmann, Clerk