HERON LAKE CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020, 7:00 PM
TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING

                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 Joe Liepold, John Haberman, Tamara Shelton, and Stacy J. Grube.

                No one was present to question or comment on the setting of the levy or the budget.  Mayor Rasche closed the hearing at 7:01 PM. 

 

PUBLIC HEARING RE: ORDINANCE 262               

The hearing was opened at 7:01 PM by Mayor Rasche, with the same members present as listed above.  No one was present to question or comment on Ordinance 262, an ordinance regulating the sale of tobacco and related devices within the City of Heron Lake, Minnesota.  Mayor Rasche closed the hearing at 7:02 PM. 

 

REGULAR MEETING

                 The meeting was called to order at 7:02 PM by Mayor Rasche with the same members present as listed above.

 

Approval of Agenda

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve the agenda with the additions of Falcon Heights loan, approval of employee wage increases, and an update on SMBS. 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 Meetings of November 4, 2020 and November 12, 2020 as presented.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

 

Employee Wages

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve the following wage increases; 25 cents an hour for the police chief and part time police officer, 50 cents per hour for the liquor store manager, 25 cents an hour for specified bartenders, 50 cents an hour for public works supervisor and 25 cents an hour for public works employee, 40 cents an hour for the deputy clerk, and 50 cents an hour for the clerk/treasurer, effective January 1, 2021.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Final Levy Certification

                Council reviewed the proposed 2021 budget. The cities Local Government Aid (LGA) has been certified at $283,769 for 2021, a decrease of 2.3% from 2020.  Additional income is estimated to be $20,990 and expenses estimated to be at $565,408, discussion resulted in:

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to Resolution 2020 – 24, setting the 2021 City of Heron Lake Final Levy at $261,176.  This amount reflects a 1% increase to the levy amount of 2020.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Ordinance 262

Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to approve Ordinance 262, Regulating the sale of tobacco and related devices within the City of Heron Lake, Minnesota. 

Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Ordinance 262 – Summary Publication

                Council Member Swanson moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve Resolution 2020 – 25, approving the summary ordinance for publication.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Certifying Assessments

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council Member Wagner, to approve Resolution 2020 – 26, certifying assessments for unpaid bills.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Zoning Permit

                Council Member Swanson moved, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to approve the zoning permit of New Vision Coop to build a liquid fertilizer storage tank at 1561 2nd Avenue.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried.    

 

Establishment of Polling Place

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Council member Wagner, to approve Resolution 2020 – 27, 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: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

PeopleService

                Joe Liepold reported the following: 1) Recent power outage caused pump at main lift station to fail, but is working again; 2) Completed discharging ponds and winterizing; 3) Searching for a leak in water lines; 4) Reviewed water tower cleaning and inspection report and discussed recommended repairs.  Council requested verification that lines were capped correctly. 

 

 Public Works

                John Haberman reported the following: 1) Informed Council of work that should be completed at Falcon Heights, will obtain estimates for January Council meeting; 2) Empire will be in town on December 3, 2020, to camera storm tile; 3) Tree trimming will need to be completed again this coming year, and inquired if there is a possibility of a different approach, Council stated that the ordinance will be enforced as written; 4) Delivery of limestone still remains an issue, will request a full load, and put excess at City burn site for future use by the City.    

 

Other Business – No action taken

Fire Department/Ambulance – New fire department members will have classes starting on December 7, 2020, brakes have been fixed on 3D fire truck, and will be purchasing a natural gas stand-by generator.  Ambulance reported and active October and a slower November.  Both departments reported that they have not had meetings due to Covid-19 regulations. 

Police Department Report was provided to Council. 

SMBS – Council Member Kuhnau reported approximately 80 new customers in 2020, and notified Council that all Cities that loaned monies to SMBS have now been repaid. 

Council was notified of rate increase from RRRW effective January 1, 2021, increasing $.05/1,000 gallons for a total of $3.50/1,000 gallons.  Council will consider an increase on the current rate of $2.50/1,000 gallons when setting the 2021 fee schedule. 

 

Falcon Heights

                Discussion was held on paying off the Falcon Heights loan to save on interest resulted in:

                Council Member Kuhnau moved, seconded by Mayor Rasche, to approve paying off the note on Falcon Heights, using $20,000 from the City water fund, and the remaining balance from the Falcon Heights Repairs savings account.  $800 monthly will be returned to the water fund until the full amount has been repaid, and $400 per month will continue to go into the Falcon Heights savings account.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays.  Motion carried. 

 

Claims

                Council Member Swanson moved, seconded by Council Member Kuhnau, to approve payment of claims as presented, totaling $298,401.07.  Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Swanson, and Wagner, aye; no nays; Schumacher, abstained.  Motion carried.                                            

 

Adjourn              

                Council Member Schumacher moved, seconded by Council Member Swanson, to adjourn at 8:27 PM. Vote on the motion: Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson and Wagner, aye; no nays. Motion carried.

Submitted by: Stacy J. Grube, Clerk/Treasurer

Approved: 1/6/2021      

Rasche, Kuhnau, Schumacher, Swanson, Wagner