HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2022, 7:00 PM

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

 

                The meeting 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 Lance Baumann, Ken Bickner, Lucas Miles representing I-90 Properties, Fire Chief Chad Diemer, 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 lawful gambling permit application, Ken Bickner discussing tree ordinance concerns, Green Earth Recycling, and correspondence from Sheriff Haken. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.

 

Approval of Minutes

Council Member Wagner moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve the minutes of the Council Meeting of July 6, 2022.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

I-90 Properties

                Lucas Miles from I-90 Properties requested more information on why council had declined to act on their request to lower their water and sewer base rate at Heron Lake Apartments and Prairie View Apartments when Lakeview Assisted Living was only being charged one base rate and I-90 Properties is being charged a base rate for each apartment.  It was explained that different scenarios were discussed about a possible reduction and regarding the reason for base rates helping with the costs of infrastructure expenses.  Council also stated that the assisted living had once been city owned, and the building was grandfathered in.  Council informed Mr. Miles that there would be no change in base rate charges to the 11 buildings at this time; consideration regarding base rates for Lakeview Assisted Living will be reviewed at the January 2023 Council and City Organizational Meeting.     

 

Zoning Permit/Variance

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Ferguson, to approve Resolution 2022 – 17, approving the zoning permit and variance application of Lorelei Burkhalter, to build a 5-foot fence that is 13 X 16 X 11, at 1122 4th Avenue.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, and Schumacher, aye; Wagner, nay.  Motion carried. 

 

ATM Proposal for Municipal Liquor Store

                Council was provided with a proposal to place an ATM at the Municipal Liquor Store.  The proposal included a payment of $.25 per transaction.  Currently there is no payment and/or contract with the ATM at the Liquor Store.  Council directed staff to contact Mr. Cotter to request a contract for review at the September 7, 2022, council meeting.      

 

Southwest Initiative Foundation

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve a $500 donation to SWIF, as the foundation invests in our community.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

               

Community Center

                Public Works Director reviewed bids to replace a failed air conditioning unit.  Discussion resulted in:

Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Ferguson, to approve the low bid of Schwalbach Hardware, Inc. for $5,365.00 to replace the failed air conditioning unit at the community center.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Ambulance

Ambulance Director Joe Liepold reported that the medical director met with the ambulance department which is done once yearly.  Heron Lake EMS also participated in the Okabena’s National Night Out.    

 

Fire Department             

                Fire Chief Chad Diemer reported the following: 1) The fire department will be receiving a donation through Federated Rural Electric Operation Round-Up that will total about $7,500 and the department plans to use the donation to purchase turn-out gear; 2) There is a possibility of a grant through Compeer for departments that work together, and he is speaking with the Okabena Fire Chief on possible air packs; 3) Jackson County has a new mitigation that it is to be posted, staff will post on the city Facebook page and city website. 

 

PeopleService

                Operator Joe Liepold reported that industrial well #2 was scheduled to be pulled this summer and a ground wire also faulted out, the underground wire has now been repaired and pumped was pulled and serviced.  Property owners have recently had water line repaired.       

 

Public Works

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve replacing a failed sewer main pipe under Smith Avenue and 3rd Street, with Stenzel completing the labor for $2,000.  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 placing catch basins on the north end of Smith Avenue for approximately $2,000 apiece.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

North Heron Lake Game Producers

                Mayor Rasche 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 24, 2022.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Other Business – No action taken

Police Department – Report from the police department was provided to council.     

Ken Bickner addresses council regarding his concerns of the tree ordinance and doesn’t feel as though the trimming in the past had been done fairly.

Green Earth Recycling – Council directed staff to obtain a key for ignition of the 2011 Dodge pickup and obtain quotes from auction companies to be reviewed at the September 7, 2022 council meeting.

 

                 

Claims

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve payment of claims as presented, totaling $197,430.24.  Vote on the motion: Kuhnau, Ferguson, and Schumacher, aye; no nays; Rasche, abstained.  Motion carried.                                        

 

Adjourn              

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to adjourn at 8:30 PM. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.

 

Submitted by: Stacy J. Anderson, Clerk/Treasurer

 

Approved:  September 7, 2022     

Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Wagner