HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020, 7:00 PM
REGULAR MEETING             

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Andrew Rasche, with the following council members present; Glenn Kuhnau, Danni Swanson and Carol Wagner. Council Member Schumacher was absent. Others in attendance were Joe Liepold, Police Chief Tony Fauglid, John Haberman, Tamara Shelton and Stacy J. Grube.

 

Approval of Agenda

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve the agenda with the addition of Congressman Jim Hagedorn Mobile Office and Letter of Engagement from Auditor Danielle L. Berg, LTD. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 

Approval of Minutes

Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve the minutes of the Council Meeting of February 5, 2020 as presented. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 

Purchasing Policy

Changes to a model purchasing policy establishing the procedures for purchases made on behalf of the City of Heron Lake were reviewed and accepted. The policy provides clear and consistent guidelines for authorized City employees/purchasers to follow.   

Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to adopt the Purchasing Policy. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 

Liquor License Renewals

                Council Member Swanson moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the renewal of P & J’s Mini Mart 3.2 Off Sale Liquor License. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve the renewal of Plaza Grill’s On Sale Liquor License. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 

Post Office – Exercise of Renewal Option for Lease

                The Postal Service exercised its option to renew their lease for a term of 5 years from 11/1/2020-10/21/2025 at an annual rate of $13,568.00. Discussion resulted in:

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Mayor Rasche, to approve the Renewal Option for a term of 5 years at the annual rate of $13,568.00. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 

Fire Department

                Annual Pancake Breakfast will be held on March 22, 2020. Fire Department will also be having a Pancake Breakfast on June 28, 2020 during Blue Heron Days.

 

Ambulance

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau to approve Janelle Edwards as an EMT for the Heron Lake Ambulance Department. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 

PeopleService

                Joe Liepold reported the following: 1) Small leaks recently fixed; 2) Will be discharging ponds next week; 3) Will be implementing a manhole cover inspection program. Joe also discussed a transducer that is required for Industrial Water Supply and Distribution that will be purchased.    

 

Public Works

                John Haberman discussed his finding regarding generators with Council. He discussed what it would take to properly run the Community Center in the event of an extended power outage. Council took the information under advisement. John also provided three prices for portable generators for use at the and as needed elsewhere, discussion resulted in:

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve the purchase of 12k watt Generator from Miller Sellner for $1,165.00. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

                John informed Council that a tenant at Falcon Heights would like to replace their flooring in the kitchen with a laminate wood floor at their own expense. Discussion resulted in:

Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve tenant replacing kitchen flooring at their own expense, and information regarding flooring was given to City Office to keep on file. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

                John expressed concerns to Council regarding the aluminum can bin that is now full and additional bags of cans being placed beside the bin. Council directed City Clerk to contact FFA Advisor and asked that the cans be taken care of within 10 days or cans could be given to another local organization.

 

Police Department

                Chief Fauglid reports approximately 70 calls in the month of February. He also discussed three recent liquor violations at local businesses and presented options to Council for consideration in accordance with our ordinance. Discussion resulted in:  

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve a six-month probation period in which the three businesses can have no like offenses, should additional offenses occur; the business will have a 3-day suspension of their liquor license. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 

Auditor – Letter of Engagement

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve signing the engagement letter for the 2019 audit to be conducted by Danielle L. Berg, LTD. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 

Hagedorn Mobile Office

                Deputy District Director for Congressman Jim Hagedorn has requested to use the Senior Room to bring constituent services to Heron Lake. Council agreed to the one time use of the Senior Room for the mobile office.

                                                                               

Other Business – No action taken

                The Local Board of Appeal & Equalization will be held on April 8, 2020 at 7:00 PM. Regular Council Meeting to follow.

A Community Active Living Presentation will be held at the regular Council Meeting on April 8, 2020.

 

Claims

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve payment of claims as presented, totaling $130,061.86. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.                               

 

Adjourn              

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to adjourn at 8:19 PM. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

Submitted by: Stacy J. Grube, Clerk/Treasurer

Approved: 4/8/2020    

Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, Wagner