HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022, 7:00 PM

 LOCAL BOARD OF APPEAL AND EQUALIZATION

 

The hearing was opened at 7:00 PM by Mayor Rasche, with the following council members present, Mitchell Ferguson, Glenn Kuhnau, Zach Schumacher, and Carol Wagner.  Jackson County Assessor Karla Ambrose was present along with Jackson County employees Chris, Taylor, and Laura Rossow.

                Others in attendance were Susan Isder, Camilla Winkler, Dan Shumway, Jerry Wagner, Brad Doherty, Jim Eigenberg, Wayne Rasche, Daniel Jensen, Phyllis Nitch, Jeffrey Freking, Mary Schmid, Lance Baumann, Police Chief Fauglid, Joe Liepold, John Haberman, and Stacy J. Anderson. 

                Jackson County Assessor Karla Ambrose explained that there were 11 properties within the city that were given inaccurate valuations, corrected statements were being sent.  She then gave an overview of the 2022 assessment, which was a review of agricultural, commercial, and residential market changes and assessment statistics.  The Minnesota Department of Revenue implemented a time trend of 18.90% for Heron Lake.  All residential properties in Minnesota received a time trend for their own cities due to the increase in sale prices over the past 21 months statewide.  During this period, there were 14 sales in Heron Lake resulting in a 65.32% sales ratio.  A 42% value increase was required to meet compliance, which includes the 18.90%-time trend. 

                Property owners in the gallery expressed their concerns regarding their property valuations and were given the opportunity to give their property information the Assessor’s team and will be investigated further.

                Mayor Rasche suspended the hearing at 7:50 PM.  Hearing will reconvene on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.    

                  

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

 

                The meeting was called to order at 7:51 PM by Mayor Rasche, with the following Council Members present, Mitchell Ferguson, Glenn Kuhnau, Zach Schumacher, and Carol Wagner.      

                Others in attendance were Jerry Wagner, Wayne Rasche, Phyllis Nitch, Police Chief Fauglid, 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 zoning permit at 102 16th Street, Resolution 2022 – 11 for ARPA, and an update on Green Earth.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, 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 April 6, 2022.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Ferguson, to approve the minutes of the Council Meeting of April 8, 2022.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

 

Senior Citizens Club

                Senior Citizen Club Treasurer Mary Schmid requested that council reconsider returning the monthly cost for the Senior Citizens Club to the $50 (rate during COVID restrictions versus the $100 they had been paying pre-COVID).  Discussion resulted in:                                                                                                                      

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Ferguson, to reduce the monthly rate from $100 per month to $75 per month.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; Kuhnau, nay.  Motion carried. 

 

RE/MAX Realty

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve extending the contract with RE/MAX Realty through April 23, 2023.  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 Wagner, to approve Resolution 2022 – 10, accepting a donation from Federated Rural Electric – Operation Round Up for $1,000.00 to Heron Lake EMS, to purchase a portable rescue sled.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

PeopleService

                Operator Joe Liepold reported on the recent televising of Smith Avenue and 12th Street and reviewed areas that would benefit from jetting.  Council directed him to obtain bids for jetting.  He also recommended that taring not be completed on Smith and 4th until the area has had a chance to recover.   

 

Public Works

                Public Works Director John Haberman reviewed storm sewer issues that need to be repaired, and a structure that should be placed on Smith, Stearns, and 3rd Street which would provide access to 3 streets.  Discussion resulted in:

                Mayor Rasche moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve installing a structure at Smith Avenue, Stearns Avenue, and 3rd Street not to exceed $5,000.00 for structure and installation.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

                Lengthy discussion was held on pending street work, underdrainage, curb and gutter repair/replacement, and continued storm sewer issues; street tarring and/or sealcoating will be pushed back to 2023 to be better prepped for street work.  Council directed staff to obtain bids for curb/gutter and underdrain piping as well as installation.  Bids will be reviewed at the May 11, 2022, council meeting.   Council also directed staff to compose letters to property owners for review at the May 11, 2022, council meeting. 

 

Police Department

                Police Chief Fauglid reported that the emergency siren has been repaired, he will be working on the junk vehicle sweep, and he has been working on public nuisance properties. 

 

ARPA Funds      

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve Resolution 2022 – 11, Electing the Standard Allowance Available Under The Revenue Loss Provision of the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Established Under the America Rescue Plan Act.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.    

 

Zoning Permits

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to deny the zoning permit of Edgar Brogden, until he has removed the addition to his shed at 102 16th Street, as no zoning permit was applied for prior to the addition being added.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Other Business – No action taken

                Fire Department – Tools from DeWalt have been arriving, have one new applicant that the department will be reviewing at their next meeting. 

                 

Claims

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve payment of claims as presented, totaling $71,924.72.  Vote on the motion: Kuhnau, Ferguson, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Rasche, abstained.  Motion carried.                                       

 

Adjourn              

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to adjourn at 9:50 PM. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.

Submitted by: Stacy J. Anderson, Clerk/Treasurer

Approved: May 11, 2022    

Rasche, Ferguson, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Wagner