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HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022, 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; Mitchell Ferguson, Zach Schumacher, and Carol Wagner. Council Member Kuhnau was absent.
Others in attendance were Police Chief Anthony Fauglid, Fire Chief Chad Diemer, Joe Liepold, John Haberman, and Stacy J. Anderson.
Approval of Agenda
Council Member Wagner moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve the agenda with the addition of Green Earth Recycling and an update regarding Emerald Ash Borer Tree Grant that was submitted. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes
Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Ferguson, to approve the minutes of the Council Meeting of January 5, 2022. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Auditor – Letter of Engagement
Council Member Wagner moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve signing the engagement letter for the 2021 audit to be conducted by Westberg Eischens Advisors & Accountants. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Accept Donations
Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Ferguson, to approve Resolution 2022 – 04, accepting a donation from Roach Trucking-Becky Streiff for $500.00 to Heron Lake EMS. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Assignment of Interest in Pipeline
Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Ferguson, to approve the assignment of all right, title, and interest in the pipeline and assignment of utility permit to MnSP. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Ambulance
Ambulance Director Joe Liepold reported the following: 1) No department meeting held in January; 2) January resulted in 22 calls for service; 3) Leaders from surrounding Fire/EMS crews will be having a meeting in Lakefield to discuss portable radios and may be meeting more frequently.
Fire Department
Fire Chief Chad Diemer reported that the batteries for the new pagers were delivered, but they are still waiting on the pagers. Right to Know Training will be held on February 22, 2022, at 7:00 PM at the Community Center.
PeopleService
Operator Joe Liepold reported that the following: 1) Water use in town is down over the last billing cycle; 2) Water loss is low at 1.5 gpm; 3) Deep frost and broken water lines have decreased since the last snowfall but remains a possibility; 4) Generator at the industrial well site failed on a test run due to cold temperatures and fuel tank level as it is harder to draw fuel from under the generator.
Public Works
Public Works Director John Haberman reviewed bids for the shop office and bathroom. One bid was received for electrical, council directed staff to obtain an additional bid. Materials bids from Brewster Lumber Yard, Inc. and Fulda Lumber Company LLC. Lowest bid provided resulted in:
Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher to approve the low bid from Brewster Lumber Yard, Inc. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Two labor bids from local contractors were reviewed for the shop/office project, discussion resulted in:
Council Member Wagner moved, seconded by Council Member Ferguson, to approve the low bid from Harold Grube for labor in building the office/bathroom at the city shop. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Council was informed that the grader recently needed repairs on the clutch, repairs were made. The grader is nearing the end of being able to have further adjustments and parts are becoming increasingly difficult to find as well as expensive. Council directed staff to start researching prices and trade in value for the grader.
Police Department
Police Chief Fauglid reported the following: 1) January was quiet; 2) Charges were recently filed regarding a public nuisance property; 3) Part-time Police Officer is anticipated to be leaving for a full-time position with another department.
Chief Fauglid reported that he is in discussions with the County Sherriff regarding coverage for his time off. Additional discussion was held on pros and cons of hiring another part-time police officer.
April Council Meeting
The regular council meeting for April will be held on April 6, 2022, at 7:00 PM. The Local Board of Appeal & Equalization will be held on April 20, 2022, at 7:00 PM.
Revolving Loan Fund
Information regarding the current status of the RLF loan with Green Earth Recycling. Council did not change their position on loan action.
Emerald Ash Borer Grant
Council Member Schumacher shared that the grant application had been submitted and received by the DNR on January 24, 2022. No further information was available regarding the status of the city’s application as of February 2, 2022.
Claims
Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Ferguson, to approve payment of claims as presented, totaling $214,680.56. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Adjourn
Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to adjourn at 8:15 PM. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Submitted by: Stacy J. Anderson, Clerk/Treasurer
Approved: March 2, 2022
Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Wagner