HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021, 7:00 PM

 

PUBLIC HEARING – PROPOSED ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING FEES FOR EMERGENCY PROTECTION FIRE SERVICES FOR PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY AND UNDER CONTRACT

           

                The hearing was opened 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 Juanita Buley, Michael Ruppert, Fire Chief Chad Diemer, Joe Liepold, John Haberman, Tamara Shelton, and Stacy J. Grube.

                Mayor Rasche briefly reviewed the intent of the proposed ordinance.  Council Member Wagner questioned if the prices should be listed in the proposed ordinance.  Mayor Rasche explained to her that the prices are set on the yearly City Fee Schedule as stated in the ordinance.  No one in the gallery had any comments, and with no comments were received at the City Clerk’s office prior to meeting Mayor Rasche closed the hearing.            

 

REGULAR COUNCIL 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 Juanita Buley, Michael Ruppert, Fire Chief Chad Diemer, Joe Liepold, John Haberman, Tamara Shelton, and Stacy J. Grube.

 

Approval of Agenda

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve the agenda with the additions of blight property, dog leash regulations, and an alley approach.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.

 

Approval of Minutes

Council Member Wagner moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the minutes of the council meeting of June 2, 2021, as presented.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.

 

Variance/Zoning Permit

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve Resolution 2021 – 12, approving the zoning permit and variance of John & Juanita Buley, to install a fence at 701 3rd Avenue.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.   

 

Ordinance – Establishing fees for emergency protection and fire services

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve Ordinance 263, an ordinance establishing fees for emergency protection fire services for property within the city and under contract.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye, no nays.  Motion carried.   

 

Ordinance Summary

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve Resolution 2021 – 13, a summary for publication regarding Ordinance 263, an ordinance establishing fees for emergency protection and fire services.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

Ordinance 226 – Trees

                Council reviewed a proposed revision to the enforcement section which included a letter being sent to all property owners within city limits regarding the trimming of trees.  Property owners will be given 60 days to comply from the date the letter is mailed, if trimming is not completed by the specified date, the city will contract a tree trimmer to complete the work and the property owner will be billed.  Discussion regarding the licensing and insurance section was also discussed.  Council discussed eliminating the annual license fee from the city. 

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Mayor Rasche to make the following changes to Ordinance 226: Section 7. Enforcement – Letter being sent to all property owners once yearly, giving 60 days to comply with trimming to height requirements or the City will contract tree trimming and the property owners will be billed: Section 11. Licensing and Insurance – Eliminate city license fee; and to schedule a hearing for August 4, 2021, in conjunction with the regular council meeting, prior to a final vote on the amended ordinance.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

                 

Revolving Loan

                Council was presented with a proposed settlement regarding a default loan.  Attorney Taliesen Burrows from Birkholz & Associates, LLC was contacted via speaker phone during the council meeting.  Council was able to direct Attorney Burrows to complete the following:

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Mayor Rasche, to present a counter agreement with the stipulation that neither party is released from the personal guarantee and the confession of judgment allows immediate repossession of property.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.

 

North Heron Lake Game Producers

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve the lawful gambling application for NHLGP to conduct a raffle at their fundraiser to be held at the Heron Lake Community Center on September 25, 2021.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

               

PeopleService

                Operator Joe Liepold reported that the following: 1) Water usage in town increased by 20%; 2) RRRW has issued a water conservation alert; 3) a transformer was damaged near the water plant and power was off for a period of time, no water issues developed. 

 

Public Works

                Public Works Director John Haberman reported that storm sewer near 3rd Avenue and Lakeview was able to be opened by Riley’s and is currently working again and gave a report from the video footage that was taken.  Bids were presented to Council from Randy’s Tree Service and Johnson Tree Service for tree trimming at the city park, municipal liquor store, and city shop.  Discussion resulted in:

Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve the bid of Johnson Tree Service, for $1,300 to complete the tree trimming at the city park, municipal liquor store, and city shop.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.   

     

Other Business – No action taken

                Prairie Avenue – City Clerk received a call from the Jackson County Assessor’s office and explained that Prairie Avenue is still listed, and a building has been built on what is considered 7th Avenue.  Council directed staff to further research the matter.          

                Ambulance – Director Joe Liepold stated that there was no monthly meeting in June as an internal audit was completed of the ambulance prepared for local parades. 

                Fire Department – Fire Chief Chad Diemer reported that he has applied for a DNR grant to help with the purchase of turnout gear, physicals and fit testing has been completed, and the new generator has been installed.  It was also reported to council that requests to fill swimming pools have been made, council will consider adding this to the city fee schedule in 2022.     

                Police Department – Written report of June activities was provided to Council.         

                Blight Properties – Council Member Wagner reported citizen concerns of blight properties, directed to contact Police Chief with concerns. 

                Dog Leash – Council Member Wagner reported citizen concerns of dogs being walked without a leash, directed to contact Police Chief if this is a concern and the animal is not under the owner’s control. 

                Alley Approach – Concerns of a deteriorated alley approach on 11th Street was discussed, Council directed Public Works Director to obtain quotes for a new concrete approach.   

               

Claims

                Council Member Wagner moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve payment of claims as presented, totaling $228,137.95.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.                                   

 

Adjourn              

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to adjourn at 8:45 PM. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 

Submitted by:  Stacy J. Grube, Clerk/Treasurer

Approved:  8/5/2021     

Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, Wagner