HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2021, 7:00 PM

 

PUBLIC HEARING – PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ORDINANCE 226 – REGULATING THE PLANTING AND MAINTENANCE OF TREES AND OTHER WOODY VEGETATION WITHIN THE CITY OF HERON LAKE

           

                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 Michael Ruppert, Lance Baumann, Jerry Wagner, Wayne Rasche, Police Chief Anthony Fauglid, Fire Chief Chad Diemer, Joe Liepold, John Haberman, Tamara Shelton, and Stacy J. Grube.

                Mayor Rasche asked the gallery if there were any comments regarding the proposed amendments to the current ordinance.  Michael Ruppert questioned why trees are an issue when sidewalks in town are in terrible shape and we have so many blight properties, and why had to Council spent 20 minutes talking about the tree ordinance last month and aren’t’ changing anything.  Mayor Rasche explained that there are changes being made, and that is the process that is currently being discussed.  Mr. Ruppert questioned why the trees in the park had not been trimmed yet, and it was explained to him that a bid for trimming trees was approved in July, and we are waiting for them to be trimmed.  Lance Baumann questioned the process of when the notifications would be sent, Mayor Rasche explained that the letters would be sent in mid to late summer on a yearly basis. With no comments received at the City Clerk’s office prior to meeting Mayor Rasche closed the hearing at 7:07 pm.       

 

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

 

                The meeting was called to order at 7:08 PM by Mayor Rasche, with the following council members present; Glenn Kuhnau, Zach Schumacher, Danni Swanson, and Carol Wagner. 

Others in attendance were Michael Ruppert, Lance Baumann, Jerry Wagner, Wayne Rasche, Police Chief Anthony Fauglid, Fire Chief Chad Diemer, Joe Liepold, John Haberman, Tamara Shelton, and Stacy J. Grube.

 

Approval of Agenda

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve the agenda with the additions of accepting donations for the summer recreation program, an update on a RLF loan, and Jackson Avenue.  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 July 7, 2021, as presented.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.

 

Ordinance 226 – Regulating the planting and maintenance of trees and other woody vegetation within the City of Heron Lake

Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve amendments to Ordinance 226, an ordinance regulating the planting and maintenance of trees and other woody vegetation within the City of Heron Lake.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.   

 

Ordinance Summary

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve Resolution 2021 – 14, a summary for publication regarding amendments to Ordinance 226, an ordinance regulating the planting and maintenance of trees and other woody vegetation within the City of Heron Lake.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.

 

2020 City of Heron Lake Audit

                City Auditor Danielle Berg presented the 2020 audit of the city’s fund financials.  Accounts reviewed included the General, EDA, Community Center, Ambulance, Falcon Heights, Water, Sewer, and Liquor.  The liquor store did show a minor loss, most likely due to COVID-19.  No other concerns were noted with the city’s revenues and expenses.   

                Council Member Swanson moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the 2020 Audit.  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 2021 – 15, accepting a donation from Heron Lake Young Mens Club for $1,000.00 to Heron Lake Summer Recreation.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve Resolution 2021 – 17, accepting the following donations to Heron Lake Summer Recreation; LK Transportation for $250.00, H & F Precision Drainage, LLC for $50.00, Michael Madsen Seed for $100.00, Anthony Johnson – AJ Seed Company for $100.00, Lakes Edge Landscaping for $50.00, P & J’s Mini Mart for $50.00, Pat’s Thrift Store for $20.00, Brunk’s Tree Service for $100.00, and Heron Lake Municipal Liquor Store for $30.00.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

American Rescue Plan Aid

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve Resolution 2021 – 16, accepting the ARPA funds from the State of Minnesota in the amount of $34,284.72, to use in a manner consistent with the Department of Treasury’s guidance.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Commemorative Bench

                Council was informed of an anonymous donor that would like to place a commemorative bench in the City Park or City Plaza in memory of Saveena Bappoo.  Council requested that bench be like other commemorative benches already placed in the park and will leave the decision of location to the discretion of the donor.

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve the donation of the commemorative bench in memory of Saveena Bappoo.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.    

 

Vacation of Streets

Prairie Avenue/Seventh Street

                Council was informed that Prairie Avenue and Seventh Street had been vacated on June 5, 2001, but was not recorded with the Recorder’s Office in Jackson County.  In 2017, an attempt to have the vacation recorded was made, and failed due to not having the original documents, only copies were provided at the time. 

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve Resolution 2021 – 18, setting a hearing regarding vacating Prairie Avenue and Seventh Street on September 1, 2021 at 7:00 pm.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.   

                Discussion was held on vacating a portion of Jackson Avenue, Council declined to act at this time.              

 

Fire Department

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the application of Christian Mariscal for the Heron Lake Fire Department.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye, no nays.  Motion carried. 

                Fire Chief Diemer presented two bids for a power washer.  Discussion resulted in:

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the purchase of a 2004 EC 200 psi power washer for $1,895.00 from Williamson’s Supply, cost to be split with the Ambulance Department.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.            

 

PeopleService

                Operator Joe Liepold reported that the following: 1) Ponds have been sprayed; 2) City wells will be exercised in August; 3) Flushing will be completed in September; 4) Assisted with residential sewer repair. 

 

Public Works

                Public Works Director John Haberman reported that library storm sewer project has been started and intakes are being installed at Expressway.  Two alley approach estimates were reviewed, discussion resulted in:

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the bid of Harold Grube to replace one alley approach on 11th Street and one on 3rd Avenue for $5,100.00.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

                Discussion was held regarding the intersection of storm tile running to a structure that will be installed on 12th Street and 6th Avenue; discussion resulted in:

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the bid of Mike Stenzel to have the structure placed by Mike Stenzel for $2,500.00.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Police Department

                Police Chief Fauglid reported that July was quiet, have been dealing with dog barking complaints. 

     

Other Business – No action taken

                Liquor Store – Council Member Schumacher reported concerns of a disruptive patron, council directed City Clerk to research code of conduct, and requested Liquor Store Manager attend September Council Meeting. 

                Ambulance – Director Joe Liepold reported that July was an average month for calls, and the Heron Lake Ambulance Department participated in Okabena’s community night out.     

               

Claims

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve payment of claims as presented, totaling $357,593.91.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.                                             

 

Adjourn              

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to adjourn at 9:21 PM. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 

Submitted by: Stacy J. Grube, Clerk/Treasurer

Approved: September 1, 2021     

Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Wagner