HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2021, 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; Glenn Kuhnau, Zach Schumacher, and Carol Wagner. 

Others in attendance were Michael Ruppert, George Mathias, Leah Baumann, Mitchell Ferguson, Wayne Rasche, Police Chief Anthony Fauglid, Joe Liepold, John Haberman, Tamara Shelton, and Stacy J. Grube.

 

Approval of Agenda

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the agenda with the additions of liquor store quotes for needed items, accepting a donation on behalf of the Fire Department, and an update on Southwest Broadband. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.

 

Approval of Minutes

Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the minutes of the council meeting of September 1, 2021, as presented.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.

 

Council Member Vacancy/Appoint Council Member

                Four letters of interest were received for the open council member vacancy.  Interested persons attending the meeting were given an opportunity to state goals they have if appointed to the council member seat.  Council was encouraged with the interest shown for the open position and encouraged everyone to consider filing at the next election.  Council members then wrote their choice on paper, resulting in:

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve Resolution 2021 – 20 – 1, appointing Mitchell Ferguson to the Heron Lake City Council to complete the open council member seat through 2021.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.

 

Oath of Office

                Council Member Ferguson affirmed the following oath of office: “I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United Sates and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota and that I will discharge faithfully the duties of the office of Council Member in the County of Jackson, the State of Minnesota, to the best of my judgment and ability.” 

 

Variance/Zoning Permit

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve Resolution 2021 – 21, approving the zoning permit and variance of Jeffrey Hotzler, to build a deck at 512 10th Street.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

Variance/Zoning Permit

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve Resolution 2021 – 22, approving the zoning permit and variance of Seferino Avila, to place a dog fence on his property at 1001 Chapman.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Zoning Permit

                Council Member Wagner moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve the zoning permit of Zach Schumacher to place a flagpole at 302 Smith Avenue.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, refrained.  Motion carried. 

 

Joint Powers Agreement

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve Resolution 2021 – 23, approving State of MN agreements with the City of Heron Lake on behalf of its city attorney and police department.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Library Flooring

                Bids were reviewed from Carpet Plus and Hammers Furniture for carpeting in the basement meeting room and vinyl in the bathroom.    

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve the bid of Carpet Plus for carpet and vinyl in the library basement in the amount of $3,736.88.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

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. 

 

Fire Relief

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve Resolution 2021 – 24, accepting the donation of a CD valued at $67,293.01 to the City of Heron Lake.  This CD will be used to benefit the Fire Department.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.    

 

Employee Health Insurance

                Council Member Wagner moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve Employee Health Insurance to continue with PEIP at an increase of 9% for 2022.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Accept Donation

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve Resolution 2021 – 25, accepting the donation of $3,000 to the Heron Lake Fire Department to be used for new pagers.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

PeopleService

                Operator Joe Liepold reported that the following: 1) Two leaks have been located, one has been repaired and the other has been shut off; 2) Will not be discharging pond until late October or November; 3) Generator at the lift station and industrial well site will be serviced.     

 

Public Works

                Public Works Director John Haberman reported the alley approach on 11th Street has been completed, and when the next approach on 3rd Avenue is completed, John stated that he would like to pour concrete at the shop for a bathroom floor, and he recommended that the roof at Falcon Heights roof should be replaced in the next couple of years.  Bids were reviewed for tree trimming in the park, discussion resulted in:

                Council Member Wagner moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve spending $900.00 on tree trimming with Jenkins Tree Service from Fulda at $150/hour.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.     

 

Police Department

                Police Chief Fauglid stated approximately 70 calls in September.  He reported that new tires were put on the squad car, has been doing directed patrols near the elevator and, and will be participating in Trunk or Treat again this Halloween.    

 

Liquor Store

                Liquor Store manager provided information regarding need repairs and replacements needed at the Municipal Liquor Store, including new flooring behind bar and a new sink which is a special order, and he is still waiting on a price.  Bids were reviewed for equipment at the liquor store, discussion resulted in:

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve the following purchases for the Liquor Store; 20 chairs for $923.80, four 7/8” floor mats for $440.00, upright freezer for $2,300.00.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner aye; no nays.  Motion carried.    

 

Other Business – No action taken

                City Software – City Clerk requested permission to look at different software for fund accounting and utility billing to be able to add them to the network.  Council approved. 

                Ambulance – Ambulance Director Joe Liepold reported that he is currently working on renewing the ambulance license and working on a study regarding charges for ambulance runs. 

                Fire Department – Mayor Rasche reported that they had school kids at the fire hall for Fire Prevention Week, and fire calls have been low. 

                Council Meeting Concerns – Mr. Ruppert explained to council that he didn’t feel as though he was treated well at the last council meeting.  He explained his background dealing with complex decisions, and he felt that council was condescending and dishonest.  He felt that as a community member, bringing his concerns forward to council warranted better treatment then he felt he received. 

                SMBS – Council Member Kuhnau reported that there are still more fiber lines being dropped and that things have been going well. 

               

Claims

                Council Member Wagner moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve payment of claims as presented, totaling $167,758.92.  Vote on the motion: Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Rasche, abstained. Motion carried.                                         

 

Adjourn              

                Council Member Ferguson moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to adjourn at 8:26 PM. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 

Submitted by: Stacy J. Grube, Clerk/Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

Approved: November 3, 2021      

Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Wagner