HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019, 7:00 PM
ASSESSMENT HEARING  

The hearing was opened at 7:00 PM by Mayor Freking, with the following council members present: Glenn Kuhnau, Andrew Rasche, Danni Swanson and Carol Wagner.

No one was present to comment on their assessment, nor was there any comments presented to the City Clerk prior to the meeting.

Any payments received before the next council meeting will be removed from the assessment list and the council will approve a resolution at the December meeting to certify the remaining amounts for the County Auditor.

Mayor Freking closed the hearing at 7:01 PM.

REGULAR MEETING              

The meeting was called to order at 7:01 PM by Mayor Jason Freking, with the following council members present; Glenn Kuhnau, Andrew Rasche, Danni Swanson and Carol Wagner. Others in attendance were Jerry Wagner, John Hay, Nancy Horkey, Cheryl Knutson, Rick Bauermeister, Mary Klopstad, Joe Liepold, John Haberman, Tamara Shelton and Stacy J. Grube.

 Approval of Agenda

Mayor Freking moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve the agenda with the additions of a Southwest Broadband update, Accept donation on behalf of the Fire Department and rescheduling the Budget Meeting to December 2, 2019 at 7pm. Vote on the motion: Freking, Kuhnau, Rasche, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

Approval of Minutes

Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve the minutes of the Council Meeting of October 2, 2019 as presented. Vote on the motion: Freking, Kuhnau, Rasche, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

Blue Heron Days Committee

Info was presented to council regarding Blue Heron Days scheduled for June 26, 27, and 29, 2020. The committee requested to be able to use the Community Center on December 6-7, 2019 for the Festival of Trees, council requested that the lesser “non-profit” rate be paid. Use of the City’s tax ID number was held, council directed the committee to acquire a tax ID for their use. The committee also expressed interest in helping with painting of the park shelter house prior to Blue Heron Days.

Zoning Permit

Council Member Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau to approve the zoning permit of Daniel Koopman to build a animal shelter at 131 Berry Lane. Vote on the motion, Freking, Kuhnau, Rasche, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 

Business Cigarette and 3.2 License Renewals

Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Rasche, to approve the cigarette and tobacco product sales licenses to P&J’s Mini Mart and Expressway and 3.2 liquor sales license to Expressway, all three for 2020. Vote on the motion: Freking, Kuhnau, Rasche, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 
2020 Election Judges

 Council Member Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve Resolution

2019 – 11, appointing Deanna Andresh, Carol Baumbach, Catherine Bushard, Doris Grube, Sue Isder, Delores Pelzel, Mavis Vanderheiden and Shirley Wagner as election judges and Stacy J. Grube as head election judge. Vote on the motion: Freking, Kuhnau, Rasche, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

Establishment of Polling Place

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve Resolution 2019 – 12, establishing the polling place and precinct location for the City of Heron Lake at the Heron Lake Community Center, 312 10th Street, Heron Lake, MN. Vote on the motion: Freking, Kuhnau, Rasche, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

Employee Health Insurance

Council was informed of changes to current health insurance premium rates. Council will continue to pay 50% of the monthly premium for single and family coverage.  

PeopleService

 Joe Liepold reported the following: 1) South Industrial Well has been pulled; 2) Actuator valve will be replaced for line to MnSP; 3) Flushing is complete and approximately 300,000 gallons of water was used; 4) Ponds will be discharged once more before winter.

 

Public Works

John Haberman reported the following: 1) Railroad cross arms on 9th Street will be installed, when work is completed there may be power outages; 2) Empire was here to work on 17th Street project, their truck broke down and will return when repairs are completed and weather allows; 3) Reported that there is an interested party in a surplus fire hydrant, council directed to sell at scrap price; 4) Storm water lift pump is having issues again, council agreed to camera it when Empire is here; 5) Snow bucket for backhoe was discussed, council directed staff to repair current one.

Police Department

October police report was presented to Council.

Fire Department

Mayor Freking approved, seconded by council Member Swanson to approve Resolution 2019 – 13, accepting a $500 donation from Federated Rural Electric to be used to purchase 10 pairs of extrication gloves. Vote on the motion: Freking, Kuhnau, Rasche, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

Other Business – No action taken

Heron Lake Watershed District – Council was informed of a grant for “Lawns to Legumes” to benefit pollinators, council declined at this time.

Southwest Broadband – Council Member Kuhnau reported that there were 44 new hook ups recently. Southwest Broadband has expressed interest in going to private board meetings, Council expressed that they request that the meetings remain open to Council Member Kuhnau.

 

Claims

Council Member Wagner moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve payment of claims as presented, totaling $164,119.73. Vote on the motion: Freking, Kuhnau, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays; Rasche, abstained. Motion carried.                                        

 

Adjourn              

Council Member Rasche moved, seconded by Mayor Freking, to adjourn at 8:39 PM. Vote on the motion: Freking, Kuhnau, Rasche, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 

Submitted by: Stacy J. Grube,                            
Clerk/Treasurer  

 Approved:    
Freking, Kuhnau, Swanson, Wagner