HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021, 7:00 PM
LOCAL BOARD OF APPEAL AND EQUALIZATION

 

                The hearing was opened at 7:00 PM by Mayor Rasche, with the following council members present; Glenn Kuhnau, Danni Swanson, and Carol Wagner.  Council Member Zach Schumacher was absent.  Jackson County Assessor Karla Ambrose was present along with Jackson County employees Laura Rossow and Dennis Bannister.

Others in attendance were Cheryl Knutson, Tracy Reierson, Jim Eigenberg, Police Chief Fauglid, Tamara Shelton, Joe Liepold, John Haberman, and Stacy J. Grube.

Jackson County Assessor Karla Ambrose gave an overview of the 2021 assessment, which was a review of agricultural, commercial, and residential market changes and assessment statistics.  There were eight sales in Heron Lake in the study period which resulted in a 20% increase. 

Mayor Rasche stated that he received one question regarding the assessed value of a home, Jackson County Assessors confirmed the increase.  With no other questions submitted prior to the hearing, Mayor Rasche closed the hearing at 7:13 pm.  

 

ABATEMENT HEARING

 

                The hearing was opened at 7:14 PM by Mayor Rasche, with the following council members present; Glenn Kuhnau, Danni Swanson, and Carol Wagner.  Council Member Zach Schumacher was absent.  The same gallery was present as listed above.  Chief Fauglid explained that he had summoned the property owner at 131 10th Street NW to appear at the hearing.  The property owner did not come for the abatement hearing, nor did they clean their property as directed.  Chief Fauglid stated that he would submit the matter to the City Attorney.  Mayor Rasche closed the hearing at 7:15 PM.

 

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

 

                The meeting was called to order at 7:15 PM by Mayor Rasche, with the following council members present; Glenn Kuhnau, Danni Swanson, and Carol Wagner.  Council Member Zach Schumacher was absent.  The same gallery was present as listed above. 

               

Approval of Agenda

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve the agenda with the additions of zoning permits for 922 4th Avenue and 612 10th Street, Senior Citizens Club, and an update on SMBS from Council Member Kuhnau. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, absent. Motion carried.

 

Approval of Minutes

Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Mayor Rasche, to approve the minutes of the Council Meetings of March 3, 2021 as presented.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, absent. Motion carried.

 

Event Permit

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve updated event permit.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, absent.  Motion carried. 

 

Blue Heron Days Committee

                Chery Knutson and Tracy Reierson presented a tentative list of events that are planned for Blue Heron Days which is scheduled for June 26, 2021.  Events include vendor show, car show, pedal pull, parage, corn hole, kiddie olympics, bingo, lucky duck race, and a dance. Requests to council to close streets around the park, use of electricity, set up in parks, and use of side by side in the park were granted. 

 

Heron Lake Caring Connections

                Lisa Jean Smith requested use of the Senior room at no charge for Heron Lake Caring Connections to host an informational meeting with the Ecology Bus for parents regarding summer camps. 

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve Heron Lake Caring Connections to use the Senior Room at no charge for an informational meeting.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; nays; Schumacher, absent.  Motion carried.           

 

Zoning Permits

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the zoning permit of Mitchell Ferguson to place a garden shed at 312 Smith Avenue.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, absent.

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner to approve the zoning permit of Harold Grube to place a storage shed at 421 11th Street.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, absent.  Motion carried.

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the zoning permit of Dan Jensen to place a sunroom/green house at 922 4th Avenue.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, absent.  Motion carried. 

                Council Member Swanson moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve the zoning permit of Theresa Adams to demo a deck and replace with a cement slab and steps at 612 10th Street.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, absent.  Motion carried.

 

Liquor License Renewals

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Mayor Rasche, to approve the renewal of Yolanda Barahona DBA Nena’s Bar & Grill’s On-Sale Sunday Liquor License.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, absent.  Motion carried. 

 

Jackson County Home Initiative Program

                Council was presented with information regarding an opportunity to be included in a program that could provide incentives in Jackson County to encourage the construction of new owner-occupied and rental residential housing units, encourage remodeling of existing buildings into new housing units, encourage replacement of dilapidated housing structures, and increase future tax revenues in Jackson County. 

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve supporting the Jackson County Home Initiative Program.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, absent.  Motion carried. 

 

League of MN Cities Insurance

Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve signing the form indicating that the City of Heron Lake does not waive monetary limits on municipal tort liability.   Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, absent.  Motion carried.

 

Personnel Policy

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve updates to the Drug and Alcohol Use Policy in the City Personnel Policy.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, absent.  Motion carried.  

 

Revolving Loan Fund

                Council was informed of a continued default loan.  City Clerk communicated plans from the borrower to apply for grants to become current on status of the loan.  Heron Lake City Attorney has declined to take the case and has recommended Birkholz and Associates, LLC.  An estimation of the cost of the case was provided by Jacob Brikholz.  Council tabled the matter until the May Council Meeting.

 

Heron Lake BioEnergy Street Sweeper Agreement

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve the one-year street sweeper agreement with Heron Lake BioEnergy.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, absent.  Motion carried. 

 

Accept Donation

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve Resolution 2021 – 3, accepting a donation in memory of Erma Knutson for $50.00 to the Heron Lake Library.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, absent.  Motion carried. 

 

Ambulance

                Director Joe Liepold provided meeting and training minutes to Council from the March 22, 2021 EMS meeting and reported they will have the ambulance in the Blue Heron Days Parade.

 

Fire Department

                Mayor Rasche discussed the positive feedback heard regarding the drive-thru pancake breakfast and that they are currently discussing having a pancake feed the Sunday following Blue Heron Days and stated that some new parts for the department trucks are being ordered.   

               

PeopleService

                Operator Joe Liepold reported the following: 1) Completed a discharge in March and will do two in April and May; 2) Had quotes on pulling industrial well, but due to price increase in materials needed, Steffl’s bid was the low bid and was accepted; 3) Harold Grube will be repairing foundation under the water tower legs.        

 

Public Works

                Public Works Director John Haberman discussed intakes that still need to be placed with the recent storm sewer replacement, and presented a sealcoating bid from Pearson Bros., Inc.  Discussion resulted in: 

Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve sealcoating of 18 -20 city blocks, not to exceed $42,000, to be completed by Pearson Bros., Inc.  Vote on the motion, Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, absent.  Motion carried.   

      

Police Department

                Chief Fauglid reported 76 calls in March, that he has been working on junk vehicle sweeps and blight properties and a new department radio has been ordered from RACOM.     

 

 

Other Business – No action taken

                Pay Equity – Notice of pay equity compliance was provided to Council. 

                Security State Bank has chosen to purchase new banners for main street as a contribution for Community Banking Month.  Staff was directed to purchase new banners that would match the current banners. 

                SMBS – Council Member Kuhnau reported that SMBS has reported 15 drops to new customers this spring. 

                Senior Citizen’s Club – Senior Citizen Club president questioned if Council would consider a reduced monthly amount payable to the City until they can start having their normal monthly meetings and inquired about using the large hall for their monthly senior meal until social distancing restrictions are lifted.  Council agreed to both requests. 

                Council Member Wagner discussed garbage and recycling containers being blown over by strong winds and encouraged community members to clean up their yards.            

 

Claims

                Council Member Swanson moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve payment of claims as presented, totaling $177,286.41.  Vote on the motion: Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Rasche, abstained; Schumacher, absent.  Motion carried.                                            

 

Adjourn              

                Council Member Swanson moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to adjourn at 8:53 PM. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, absent. Motion carried.

 

Submitted by:  Stacy J. Grube, Clerk/Treasurer

Approved:  5/5/2021      

Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, Wagner