HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020, 7:00 PM
REGULAR MEETING

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Rasche, with the following council members present; Glenn Kuhnau, Zach Schumacher, Danni Swanson, and Carol Wagner. 

Others in attendance were George Madden, 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 Schumacher, to approve the agenda as presented.  Roll call vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, 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 April 8, 2020 as presented.  Roll call vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 

Federated Rural Electric

George Madden presented information to Council regarding relocating the 3-phase pole to 12th Street (originally on 9th Street) to feed south half of Heron Lake

Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher to approve plans as presented.  Roll call vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Street Work – Bolton & Menk, Inc.

                Mayor Rasche explained that he and Public Works Director, John Haberman, had met with Travis Winter from Bolton & Menk, Inc. to discuss possible street improvements on 12th Street between 6th Avenue and 3rd Avenue.    

Council Member Wagner moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve Resolution 2020 – 07, approving proposed 12th Street improvements be referred to Bolton & Menk, Inc. for study of necessity, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility.  Roll call vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

League of MN Cities Insurance

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

 

Zoning Permit

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve the zoning permit of Roxie Collin to build an addition to an existing shed at 343 11th Street NW.  Roll call vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.   

 

Revolving Loan Fund

                Discussion was held regarding deferring RLF loan payments due to the CVOID-19 pandemic and the hardships that the businesses are encountering during this time. 

Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve deferring RLF payments for June 2020 with no late charges or added interest.  Payments for June 2020 will be added to the end of the amortization schedule for loans if payments for June are not made by loan holders.  Roll call vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Park Restroom

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve a handicap accessible park restroom from Hohenstein Septic.  Vote on the motion:  Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.

 

PeopleService

                Joe Liepold reported the following: 1) 2 discharges were completed in April; 2) Will discharge in May, ponds are getting low; 3) HLBE is still shut down, using little to no water; 4) Estimates of deep cleaning lift station pumps will be obtained; recommended completing every 3 years; 5) Will obtain estimates for pulling pumps to check for wear and tear; 6) Valve box repaired at Chapman & 11th Street; 7) Making list of watermain & sewer lids in pavements that need to be raised or lowered.

 

Public Works

                John Haberman reported that he had not yet received reports or images from Empire but talked about areas of concern on 3rd Avenue from 8th to 9th Street, will jet this area.  No additional bids were submitted for replacing the park shelter roof.   

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve the estimate from Harold Grube to replace the park shelter roof with steel for $4,317.08.  Roll call vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson to approve purchasing 100 yards of wood chips at $17.50/yard with $350 delivery charge for the City Park from MN Hardwoods.  Roll call vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.     

 

Police Department

                Chief Fauglid reported approximately 80 calls in April, PPE is still adequate for the Police Department, has been working on junk vehicle sweeps, and targeted traffic enforcement.  Council questioned the public nuisance ordinance, Chief Fauglid encouraged person with concerns on public nuisances to file a complaint. 

                                                                                               

Other Business – No action taken

                 2020 Election:  Discussion held whether to hold in-person voting for the upcoming 2020 election.  Council wishes to continue in-person voting.  No changes will be implemented. 

                Office computer backup system: Quote was provided for a new backup system.  Council directed staff to obtain quote for network system. 

                Purchasing Policy:  Staff questioned raising the minimum for approval, council left policy as written. 

Fencing around playground equipment at City Park will be removed once new woodchips have been placed around equipment.

                Summer Recreation program was discussed, council wishes to see the program continue if it is

allowed within Covid-19 guidelines and state executive orders.

Large item pick-up will remain on May 20, 2020 as scheduled. 

Fire Department – Mayor Rasche reported that training for new members will resume after Stay at Home Orders are lifted. 

Ambulance – Joe Liepold reported the ambulance department currently has adequate PPE.

Council was informed that Red Rock Rural Water Consumer Confidence Report is available for viewing at:  https://www.redrockruralwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/CCR-2019.pdf             

 

Claims

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve payment of claims as presented, totaling $117,643.52.  Vote on the motion: Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays, Rasche, abstained.  Motion carried.                                       

 

Adjourn              

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to adjourn at 8:54 PM. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

Submitted by: Stacy J. Grube, Clerk/Treasurer

 

Approved: 6/3/2020     

Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, Wagner