HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 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 Saveena Bappoo, Willie Kaufman, Police Chief Tony Fauglid, John Haberman, Tamara Shelton, and Stacy J. Grube. 

Approval of Agenda

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve the agenda with the additions of accepting donations, and rescinding the declaration of emergency; Resolution 2020 – 5.  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 Schumacher, to approve the minutes of the Council Meeting of May 6, 2020 as presented.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

Accept Donations

Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve Resolution 2020 – 09,  accepting the following donations: $30,000 from the Heron Lake Patrons Southwest Grain Terminal to the Heron Lake Fire Department and $30,000 from the Heron Lake Patrons Southwest Grain Terminal to the Heron Lake Ambulance.

Covid-19 Preparedness Plan

Council reviewed the draft Covid-19 Preparedness Plan for City operations.  The Preparedness Plan is to attempt to mitigate the potential for transmission of Covid-19 in workplaces and businesses.   

Council Member Wagner moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson to approve the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

Resolution 2020 – 08  

Council Member Swanson moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve Resolution 2020 – 08, an interim resolution temporarily allowing expanded outdoor seating. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

Plaza Grill

                Saveena Bappoo requested permission from Council to use the Plaza area owned by the City to provide an outdoor dining space at the Plaza Grill.  Mayor Rasche explained that they would need to sign a release indemnifying the City of any liability and update their insurance to include City of Heron Lake. 

                Council Member Wagner moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve Plaza Grill using the Plaza for outdoor dining providing insurance was updated and a release indemnifying the City was signed.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

Zoning Permits

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve the zoning permit of Tom Mischke to build a garage at 531 10th Street.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.   

Zoning Permits cont.

Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the zoning permit of Heron Lake BioEnergy to build a grain bin at 91246 390th Avenue.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.   

Zoning Administrator discussed a zoning permit at 422 11th Street for Tom Brown.  Council was informed, that due to side yard setbacks, he did not sign the zoning permit and recommended that a variance be applied for.  Council directed Clerk to contact homeowner to apply for a variance. 

Zoning Ordinance

Discussion was held on penalties, current ordinance states that “violation of any provision of this Ordinance or the violation of the conditions or provisions of any permit issued pursuant to this Ordinance shall be a misdemeanor”.  Council directed Clerk to publish an ad that provides Ordinance notices and reminders in the official newspaper and to the City Facebook page.  Penalties of the zoning ordinance will remain unchanged, with enforcement as stated in the ordinance after publication of notice & reminders.      

Utility Payments

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to resume adding late charges on unpaid utilities bills that will be due July 15, 2020.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.        

RLF Loan Payments        

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to resume sending monthly RLF statements for loans, with first payment being due July 1, 2020.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

Falcon Heights

                Council was informed that a tenant at Falcon Heights would like to install a retractable awning on the back patio at their own expense, with the intention of leaving the awning attached when moving from Falcon Heights.  Pictures of requested color was provided, Council stated that if the awning were to be attached to the building the color would need to be Charcoal Tweed, and this color would be the standard color should any other tenants choose to install a retractable awning. 

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the installation of the retractable awning; color being charcoal tweed.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.    

Well Road

                Public Works Director, John Haberman, suggested that the well road and Hanson’s 4th Addition be surveyed, to verify property lines as property lines have been encroached upon by other land use.  John reported having spoke with Zieske Land Surveying and receiving an estimate of $1,000-$2,500 for the survey and pinning.    

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve surveying the well road and Hanson’s 4th Addition, to be completed by Zieske Land Surveying.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

Public Works

                John Haberman discussed storm tile repair costs of Chapman and 10th Street, costs ranged from $7,000-$18,000 depending on route used for repairs; council directed staff to contact gas company to make inquiries about location of gas line.  John also discussed street repairs; Council directed John to make a list of repairs needed to discuss further at the July Council meeting.       

Police Department

                Chief Fauglid reported over 100 calls in May that has included junk vehicles.  No other concerns were noted.    

Other Business – No action taken

                Liquor Store manager, Willie Kaufman, stated that he plans to have an outdoor space in the parking lot for customers, and that he plans to be open 7 days per week.   

                Office Computer Backup System – Council directed Clerk to contact Computer Lodge for clarification of storage amounts on backup system and network, and usage of CTAS system for 2 users on the network. 

                New Vision – Public works director informed Council that due to streetlight being removed from 9th Street and Second Avenue, a light will be installed on the New Vision high roller.  Installation cost will be split between New Vision and the City, electricity for light will be paid by New Vision. 

                Mosquito Control – Bids for mosquito control were discussed, council declined to act due to expense, frequency of spraying needed, and the proximity of lake and water areas surrounding the City that increase mosquitos. 

                PeopleService written monthly report provided, council requested confirmation of water/sewer service being capped when building was demolished. 

Claims

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve payment of claims as presented, totaling $117,524.24.  Vote on the motion: Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays, Rasche, abstained.  Motion carried.                                       

Adjourn              

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to adjourn at 8:57 PM. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

Submitted by:  Stacy J. Grube, Clerk/Treasurer

Approved:  7/1/2020     

Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, Wagner