HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022, 7:00 PM
PUBLIC HEARING – PROPOSED CURB AND GUTTER IMPROVEMENTS
The hearing was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Rasche, with the following Council Members present, Mitchell Ferguson, Glenn Kuhnau, Zach Schumacher, and Carol Wagner.
Others in attendance were Daniel Glass, Galen & Lori Kruse, Dean & Valerie Ehrenberg, Larry Wagner, Dan Jensen, Lois Rasche, John Stenzel, Sue Larson, Jessica Gillespie, Jerry Wagner, Lance Baumann, Jeff Freking, Joe Liepold, John Haberman, and Stacy J. Anderson.
Mayor Rasche began accepting public comments. Questions regarding who marked the curbs that needed to be replaced; Public Works Director marked the curbs. Council was questioned about what was considered curb and gutter that was poorly done 15 years ago, and that things were not put in correctly under the street. Discussion was held on the crown of streets, catch basins and storm sewer drains. Council was questioned why the city clerk hadn’t found grants to pay for the work that needs to be completed versus having the property owners having to pay for their own curb and gutter, Mayor Rasche explained that grants will not cover work completed on personal property. It was explained that the city’s policy is that property owners are responsible for their own curb and gutters, and that if they didn’t want to pay for it when billed, it can be assessed to taxes.
Mayor Rasche closed the hearing at 7:36 PM.
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 7:37 PM by Mayor Rasche, with the following Council Members present, Mitchell Ferguson, Glenn Kuhnau, Zach Schumacher, and Carol Wagner.
Others in attendance were Dan Jensen, Jerry Wagner, Lance Baumann, Joe Liepold, John Haberman, and Stacy J. Anderson.
Approval of Agenda
Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the agenda, with the additions of a zoning permit from Nick Carlson and a revised bid for equipment. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes
Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Ferguson, to approve the minutes of the Council Meeting of June 1, 2022. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, and Schumacher, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Drainage – Dan Jensen
Dan Jensen explained drainage issues he is having at his property, and requested permission to investigate further, council requested that he keep Public Works informed and did not have concerns with further investigation.
I-90 Properties
Council held discussion regarding the request for reduced base rates for the properties owned by I-90 Properties. Different scenarios were discussed in regard to a possible reduction and also regarding the reason for base rates helping with the costs of infrastructure expenses. It was also noted that the Deputy clerk had emailed base rate and water charge information to I-90 Properties when they were purchasing the apartment complexes. Council declined to act for reducing base rates for I-90 Properties.
Resolution 2022 – 14
Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve Resolution 2022 – 14, appointing Catherine Bushard, Colleen Freking, Doris Grube, Sue Isder, Kathy Krueger, Joe Liepold, Delores Pelzel, Danni Swanson, and Shirley Wagner as election judges, the hourly rate of pay will be $12.00, and Stacy J. Anderson as head election judge for the August 9, 2022 Primary Election and the November 8, 2022 General Election. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Fee Schedule
Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve Resolution 2022 – 15, changing the Fee Schedule mileage rate to $.625/mile, which reflects the IRS increase effective July 1, 2022. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Zoning Permits
Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Ferguson, to approve the zoning permit of Sergio Galicia to add an addition to his home at 311 8th Street. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Ferguson, to approve the zoning permit of Nick Carlson to demo 3 buildings at 131 Strawberry Lane. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Resolution 2022 – 16
Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve Resolution 2022 – 16, accepting ARPA funds in the amount of $35,407.44. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Fire Department
Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau to accept the resignation of Anthony Johnson from the Fire Department. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
PeopleService
Operator Joe Liepold reported the following: 1) Flushing went well in June; 2) Water flush out was very clean; 3) Will be exercising valves; 4) No wastewater discharged in June; 5) Weeds around the pond will be sprayed the first half of July.
Public Works
Public Works Director John Haberman reported that a tenant at Falcon Heights is requesting cleaning of duct work be completed, council tabled at this time; and the Grader is closer to arriving. Verbal bids were provided for installation of underdrain on 1 block of Jackson Avenue and all of 12th Street; curb and gutter bids were also discussed. Discussion resulted in the following.
Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve the low bid of H & F Drainage for $41,078.00 or $11.35 per foot. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by council Member Ferguson, to accept the low bid of Beltline $60.00 per running foot for curb and gutter replacement and $9.50 per square foot for driveway / sidewalk repairs. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Other Business – No action taken
Ambulance – Ambulance Director Joe Liepold provided minutes from the June 28, 2022, EMS meeting. Items reviewed at this meeting included new equipment review, grant has been applied for through Federated Rural Electric Operation Round-Up, EMSRB inspection has been postponed, and local parades schedule. Council was also informed that the EMS department is considering looking for anew ambulance and will be looking for grants.
Police Department – Reports from the police department and sheriff’s office were provided to council.
Claims
Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve payment of claims as presented, totaling $252,318.83. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Ferguson, and Schumacher, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Adjourn
Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to adjourn at 9:15 PM. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.
Submitted by: Stacy J. Anderson, Clerk/Treasurer
Approved: August 3, 2022
Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Wagner