HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 6, 2023

7:00 PM

 

 

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

                Attended by:  Mayor Andrew Rasche, Council Member Glen Kuhnau, Council Member Zach Schumacher, Council Member Mark Haberman, Council Member Lance Baumann, Ambulance Director Joe Liepold, Liquor Store Manager Bridgit Preston, Police Chief Tony Fauglid, Fire Chief Chad Diemer, John Haberman Public Works, David Wing from Congressman Finstad Office, James Eigenberg Jackson County Commissioner, Lisa Jean Smith, Jeremy Janssen, Paige DeWall, and Marlys Olson,

 

REGULAR MEETING

                The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rasche at 7:00 pm.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

APPROVE AGENDA

                Additions to the agenda have been highlighted.  Added David Wing from Congressman Finstad Office and Curb Assessments to the New Business section of the agenda.  Motion made by Council Member Schumacher to approve agenda with the additions.  Seconded by Council Member Kuhnau.  Vote on the motion Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Bauman – aye.  No Nays.  Motion passed.

 

MINUTES

                Motion made by Council Member Schumacher to approve the minutes as presented.  Seconded by Council Member Baumann.  Vote on the motion Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Bauman – aye.  No Nays.  Motion passed.

 

OLD BUSINESS

                PeopleService Contract

                Discussion on the renewal of the contract for one year from 9/1/2023 to 8/31/2024.

 

                Cellphone Tower

                Discussion on residents making calls to Verizon with no real help given.  They also stated that there are long wait times to get through. 

 

                Background Checks

                We have our first employee from the liquor store going through the process that was set up.  Paperwork sent into the BCA, waiting on return.

 

                Update with RFL’s

                Nena’s Bar and Grill has paid off their loan as of August 30, 2024.

                Ronald Bappoo has not made any payments since May 2023 and a Demand Letter was sent out per request from SWRD.

 

 

 

 

                Heron Lake Water Shed District Contract

                Renewal of the contract for the rental space for the Heron Lake Water Shed District with one requested change in paragraph four.  Change the day for monthly meetings to Thursday.  Contract signed with included change.  The contract will be in effect through July 1, 2028. 

 

                Signed Farmland Agreement

                Contract signed as proposed by Renter and Heron Lake EDA Chairman.

 

                AllPaid

                Discussion on the process to get this implemented to be able to receive credit card payments at the city office.

 

                Forest Grant – DNR

                Council Member Schumacher was not able to attend.  No other information.

 

NEW BUSINESS

                David Wing – Congressman Finstad Office

                David Wing was here to let us know what Congressman Finstad is involved with.  He stated that this office is available with any issues with the City might have with the Federal Government, IRS, Passports.  There are grants available out there that they may be able to help us with.  Mayor Rasche presented him with the problem of our cellphone use availability and Mr. Wing said that he will take it back to the Congressman’s office. 

 

                Lisa Jean Smith – Tax Abatement vs TIF

                Lisa Jean Smith was here to talk to the Council about Hanson’s Fourth Addition which is in a Tax Increment Funding District.  She said that she has gone to Kevin Norquist at the Jackson County Auditor’s Office about the lot that she owns in Hanson’s 4^th.  She was wondering if it were to be more beneficial for the city to decertify the TIF and go with a Tax Abatement Program instead.  The TIF Bond will be paid off February 2025.  Discussion on what the reasons were to sign up for the TIF, interest rates, penalty for early pay off.  County Commissioner Eigenberg did not have information with what would be a benefit for that addition.  Jeremy Janssen also had questions on who purchased the other lots and why they are not building.  The council could not provide an answer.

 

                Preliminary Levy Certification

                The council was presented with the Preliminary Levy Certification that was set with an increase of ten percent.  Mayor Rasche explained that because this is a preliminary, we set high.  We can always go down but cannot go higher.  Motion made by Mayor Rasche to approve the Preliminary Levy Certification as presented.  Seconded by Council Member Kuhnau.  Vote on the motion Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Bauman – aye.  No Nays.  Motion passed.

 

                Website Information

                Deputy Clerk DeWall presented information on a website that saw.  If was the City of Fulda website.  She talked with the staff over there and they said that the company was easy to work with navigate through.  Discussion on our current website and that the office staff is not able to post but have to go through another person to get items on the website.  Question on cost, domain, etc.  Will get more information for next meeting.

 

Young Men’s Gambling Permit

                The council was presented with the Lawful Gambling Permit LG220 from the Young Men’s Club for their raffle Spring of 2024.  Motion made by Council Member Kuhnau to approve the permit.  Seconded by Council Member Baumann.  Vote on the motion Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Bauman – aye.  No Nays.  Motion passed.

 

Large Item Garbage Pick-Up

                The city office has set up the large item pick up for October 11^th.

 

Earned Sick & Safe Time

                With the new regulations, there is an Earned Sick & Safe Time that will be for all employees full or part-time.  Working with the accountant to get changes made for QuickBooks to add this in. 

 

Zoning Board Minutes

                Zoning Board minutes were presented with the decision made by the zoning board for the property at 204 16^th Street.  Discussion on water/sewer use.  Questioned about the building of a garage before building of house.  Tabled.

 

VOTER Funds

                Letter was sent to the City is regards of money allocated to Jackson County in which part of is to be dispersed to the cities and township throughout the county.  Jackson County Auditor is proposing that each city/township relinquish their fund to the county to help reduce election costs.  Heron Lake’s allocated amount will be $61.47.  Discussion by council.  Tabled.

 

Letter from Tom Jay’s POA’s

                Letter was received from the POA’s of Tom Jay in regards to the condition of the old Legion Hall.

No comment was made by the council.

 

Zoning Permit – 102 16^th Street

                Another Zoning Permit was filled out for 102 16^th Street for a new shed.  Permit denied by Zoning Administrator due to non-compliance with prior issues.

 

City of Heron Lake Mitigation Report

                Provided the completed report for Jackson County to help with risk in the event of a natural hazard.  Accepted by Council.

 

Curb Assessments

                Mayor Rasche stated that we need to get the curb and driveway bills out as soon as possible.  Any non-payments will need to be assessed by the end of October.  Public Works will get the information to the Clerk to get bills sent out.

 

LIQUOR STORE – MONTHLY UPDATE – BRIDGIT PRESTON, MANAGER

                Sink – Quote was presented from Schwalbach Hardware for $1,100.00.  Manager attempted to get quotes from two other companies with no return calls from them.  Public Works Director also attempted to make some calls with not return calls.  This would bring the sink up to code with the proper plumbing behind the sink and vented.  Motion made by Council Member Schumacher to accept the quote from Schwalbach’s.  Seconded by Council Member Haberman.  Vote on the motion Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Bauman – aye.  No Nays.  Motion passed.

                Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement – Routine inspection was done on 8/22/23 in which HLMLS passed.

                Paneling – The paneling on the back/bar side is coming loose.  Not completely sure of what is behind it.  Talked with the Manager of Brewster Lumber to see if he can find something to replace it.  Will keep on working on this.

                Painting – Manager was wondering if it were possible to get some paint and update the painting.  There are places that were plastered and fixed but not painted afterward.  It would just be the cost of paint and supplies as the staff will do the painting.

 

AMBULANCE – MONTHLY REPORT – JOE LIEPOLD, DIRECTOR

                Not much has been going on.  10 or 11 calls in August for the ambulance.  For the meeting August, they did a walkthrough as the Heron Lake BioEnergy plant.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT – MONTHLY REPORT – CHAD DIEMER, FIRE CHIEF

                August training was a walk through at the Heron Lake Bio Energy plant with others from Windom and Okabena. 

Sheriff Haken has noticed that First Net (AT&T) – 911- has been having poor reception.  An engineer is coming to check why.

Chief talked about the ISO and he recommended that we do the retrogression.  Mayor asked Clerk to send a letter for the retrogression.

 

PEOPLESERVICE – JOE LIEPOLD, OPERATOR

                August numbers presented

                Curb stop was found and shut off, with the sewer plugged at this time at 671 Lakeview Road.  Family is looking at rebuilding possibly beginning next Spring.

                Curb stop was found for the old Mobile station at 911 1^st Avenue.

                Ordered chemical for pond discharge season.

                Looking at pulling the south industrial road in October.  Motion made by Mayor Rasche to have Steffl Drilling & Pump pull and service south well.  Seconded by Council Member Kuhnau.   Vote on the motion Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Bauman – aye.  No Nays.  Motion passed.

                There are some well pipes available.  Was wondering if the city would want to sell.  The discussion was to sell all to one or sell a few to multiple persons.  Motion made by Mayor Rasche to sell as a lot for $5.00 a foot.  Seconded by Council Member Schumacher.  Vote on the motion Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Bauman – aye.  No Nays.  Motion passed.

 

PUBLIC WORKS – MONTHLY REPORT – JOHN HABERMAN, PUBLIC WORKS

                CASE tactor had its first 50-hour check.

                RDO did an inspection on the grader.  Found that the rear camera has a glitch and blade left cylinder is tarnished.  When they come to do that work, they will replace the 6-wheel drive hose.

                Burning Permit – had called in to a burn of the tree and brush pile at the dump and we did not have a burning permit through Jackson County.  Now, we have a two-year open burn permit from Jackson County.  Discussion on updating the Ordinance 180 – Police Chief Fauglid will look at it,

                Questioned if anyone was asked to deposit dead deer carcasses at the dump.  He found several.  Police Chief Fauglid said that sometimes Jackson County will call to dispose of a carcass but nothing lately. 

                Talked about the new lawn mower.  This mower came with a rear discharge.  Because of the rear discharge the radiator and filter get clogged up.  This was not how it was ordered.  Requesting to get a side discharge.

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT – MONTHLY REPORT – TONY FAUGLID, POLICE CHIEF

                Monthly Report – received a report of the calls since last council meeting.

                Updated Vehicle Lease Agreement – Updated the lease on the 2019 Dodge Charger.  Will be getting a lower price at about $13/month.

Ordinance 244 Changes – Presented the changes to the city attorney.  What is presented to the Council is what is approved by the city attorney with his recommended changes.  There will be a posting, rereading, and hearing at next month’s meeting for city approval.

Jackson County Report – Report reviewed from the Jackson County Sheriff.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

Next meeting October 4, 2023 @ 7:00 pm

 

CLAIMS

                Motion made by Council Member Schumacher to pay claims presented.  Seconded by Council Member Kuhnau.  Mayor Rasche abstained due to having bill in claims.  Council Member Baumann had left the meeting.  Vote on the motion Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman – aye.  No Nays.  Motion passed.

 

ADJOURNMENT

                Motion made by Council Member Haberman to adjourn.  Seconded by Council Member Kuhnau.  Council Member Baumann had left the meeting.  Vote on the motion Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman – aye.  No Nays.  Motion passed.

 

 

 

                                                                                                Submitted by:  ___________________________

                                                                                                                Clerk/Treasurer

 

 

Approved:   __________________

Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Haberman, Baumann