HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 1, 2023
7
:00 PM

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

                The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Rasche with the following Council Members present – Glenn Kuhnau, Zach Schumacher, Mark Haberman and Lance Baumann.

                Others in attendance were Fire Chief Chad Diemer, Ambulance Director Joe Liepold, Liquor Store Manager Bridgit Preston, Public Works John Haberman, Paige DeWall and Marlys Olson.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

                No additions made to the agenda.  Motion from Council Member Schumacher and seconded by Council Member Kuhnau to approve the minutes presented.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Baumann, aye: No Nays.  Motion passed.

 

MINUTES

                Motion made by Council Member Kuhnau and seconded by Council Member Haberman to approve the minutes of the January 4, 2023, meeting.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Baumann, aye: No Nays.  Motion passed.

 

OLD BUSINESS

                Community Center – Smoke Detectors, Fire Board, Alarm Systems – Update.  Public Works commented that the smoke or heat detectors are not in yet and no update with the fire board.

                Doug Vanderheiden – request to purchase 204 16th St.  Update.  Has been asking questions through email.  If he were to purchase, will have to have a zoning board meeting for conditional use permit.

                Jackson County Check – 2006, 2011 A & 2003 HLBE Bond Final = $881,903.31 – Update.  Nothing new to report – still waiting on transactions on this bond from Jackson County Auditor.

                Falcon Heights Vacancy – Update.  Having issues with getting it rented.  Discussion on rate changes and advertising in the local paper.  Flooring will be replaced 2/16/23 by Carpet Plus.

                Organization of the City – Birkholz vs. Costello.  Since last meeting, with the request of the Police Chief, received an updated new Legal Agreement from Birkholz to include criminal prosecution representation.  Council reviewed new contract.  Motion made by Council Member Schumacher and seconded by Council Member Kuhnau to accept the new legal agreement from Birkholz & Associates.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Baumann, aye: No Nays.  Motion passed to update the Organization of the City with Ordinance 2023-04.

                Hours of Business – Review tabled discussion.  Council reviewed a list of hours from other city offices around the State of Minnesota.  Office staff is requesting a change of hours of service to 7 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday with ½ hour lunch and 7 am to 11 am on Friday with no lunch.  Council prefers staff to be in office until 5:00 pm.  Hours to stay the stay the same with 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday with one-hour lunches. 

                Review Updated Personnel Policy book with changes from last meeting.  Motion made by Mayor Rasche and seconded by Council Member Schumacher to accept the changes made in the Personnel Policy Handbook.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Baumann, aye: No Nays.  Motion passed.

                Replacement tires for CASE tractor vs new tractor – Will discuss with the Public Works Monthly Report.

NEW BUSINESS

                Agreement for Services – Southwest Regional Development Commission.  Council reviewed contract.  Motion made by Council Member Haberman and seconded by Council Member Kuhnau to sign contract with Southwest Regional Development Commission.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Baumann, aye: No Nays.  Motion passed.

                Staples Donation for Fire Department.  After calling Staples for clarification, determined this to be a payment for fire at Expressway.

 

LIQUOR STORE – Bridgit Preston, Manager – Monthly Report

Bridgit discussed the two quotes that she has received for a new POS for the liquor store.  Bevly will cost $2928 with a three-year commitment plus an additional $54.95/month.  It has a one-time fee of $575 for program.  It will help on the backside, be hooked up with vendors for easy ordering and inventory.  Toast gave a quote that had kitchen stuff that needed to be removed.  Discussion on credit card fees.  Requested Bridgit to get more clear and correct quotes for the next meeting.

 

AMBULANCE – Joe Liepold, Director – Monthly Report

                Joe stated that they had their annual refresher completed.  Also, had six civilian drivers complete their CPR training and driving tests.  Civilian drivers are on call every other day.  Jackson County Sheriff office has given and AED that was put at the Expressway and at HLMLS.  Had eight calls in January with the first seven in the first 15 days.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chad Diemer, Chief – Monthly Report

                Chad started out with a letter of resignation from Brad Doherty effective 1/1/2023.  Motion made Council Member Schumacher and seconded by Council Member Baumann to accept the resignation of Brad Doherty from the Heron Lake Fire Department.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Baumann, aye: No Nays.  Motion passed.  Jackson County Sheriff will be coming in February for training on an active shooter.  All have completed training with Blood Borne Pathogens, OSHA, Confined Space, HazMat and Right-to-Know with training done in January.  Questioned that he could purchase a pallet of Floor Dry vs per bag.  Per bag at Runnings will be $9/bag and $15-$20 per bag at Auto Value.  Discussed getting an exact price for the pallet and the city office will write out a check for payment.

 

PEOPLES EXPRESS – Joe Liepold – Monthly Report

                January reports were presented.  Did have a water leak (frozen pipes) on Third Avenue which was after the meter and all water accounted for.  Wastewater – will need a new permit this year – working on.  Question posed on when MNSP does not use the industrial well after they switch to Lincoln/Lyon Rural Water – sell to HLBE.  Discussion with no answer currently.  City of Heron Lake is allowed 122,000 gallons per day from Red Rock Rural Water.  The last house fire used 120,000 gallons. 

Questioned if we need to update the contract to increase water/day or look at increasing our storage, new water tower.  Discussion resulted with the fire department will have to be more aware with those fire situations and have other towns bring in more water with them. 

 

PUBLIC WORKS – John Haberman – Monthly Report

                Tar & Seal Coat bid will be moved to March due to the fluctuating costs.  Has been working on the sweeper – the hopper is full of holes.  Pelican bid for new is $9200 with and additional $800 to $1000 to install.  A quote from McCuen was requested for stainless steel and also a  quote for a powder coat.  The grader is getting worked on – waiting for an injection pump and checking hosed.  All still under warranty.  Will have it gone through again in June before the warranty is up.  Falcon Heights is getting closer to be done.  Bids presented for a new lawn mower from John Deere and Jansma.  Discussion.  Bids presented for a new tractor from John Deere and Miller Sellner.  Discussion on getting 2022 close out from a different dealer.  It may be months out to get a new tractor.  John is to get new refined numbers.  Discussion about the replacement of the front door of the Community Center.

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT – Tony Fauglid, Chief – Monthly Report

                Police Chief unable to attend meeting.  Reviewed reports from Heron Lake Police and Jackson County Sheriff. 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

                Next meeting March 1, 2023 @ 7:00 pm

                City and Township Assessments for Fire & Ambulance were sent out

                Juneteenth – has been passed by the State of Minnesota as a legal holiday in which no meetings can be held.  Motion made by Council Member Schumacher and seconded by Council Member Haberman to approve the State of Minnesota holiday for Juneteenth.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Baumann, aye: No Nays.  Motion passed.

 

CLAIMS

                Motion made by Council Member Schumacher and seconded by Council Member Kuhnau to pay claims as presented.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Baumann, aye: No Nays.  Motion passed.

 

ADJOURN

                Motion made by Mayor Rasche and seconded by Council Member Schumacher to adjourn the meeting at 9:08 pm.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Baumann, aye: No Nays.  Motion passed.

 Submitted by: __Marlys J Olson                                                                                                 Clerk/Treasure

Approved: _______x______

Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Baumann