Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a City Council Meeting was duly held in the City Council chambers at 7:00 p.m. on the 8th day of October 2024. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Henke.
The following members were present: Mayor Doug Henke, Council Members Mary Bailey, Lee Sjolander (came at 7:19 pm), and Kim Helgeson
Via Teams: Molly Ryan
Absent:
Also present: Interim Administrator Frank Boyles, Administrative Assistant Holli Gudknecht, Finance Director Whitney Kyllo, Engineer Derek Olinger, Officer Brian Homeier, Police Chief Jeff Sjoblom, Don Kirchmann, Todd Greseth, Jeff & Ann Traxler, Diane Barrett, Greg & Isaac Mills, Connie & Allan Turner, Kirk Hiner, Mary Kinseth, Dave Vandergon
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CITIZEN COMMENT
Dave Vandergon, Southeast Minnesota Area Agency on Aging (SEMAAA), presented the advantages of developing needed senior services in our community. SEMAAA is looking for a group of 5-8 people who are interested in researching and helping develop new senior services through the ‘Age Friendly Communities’ program sponsored by AARP and the State of Minnesota. A start-up committee would be needed before applying for the grants that are available.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson to approve the agenda.
Roll Call Vote: Bailey- Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Henke – Aye, Ryan – Aye Motion carried 4-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Helgeson seconded by Bailey to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of check numbers 76463 through 76561; 5127E through 5180E.
Roll Call Vote: Bailey- Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Henke – Aye, Ryan – Aye Motion carried 4-0-0.
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS/RECOGNITIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
2025 Street and Utility Improvements Public Hearing
Motion by Helgeson seconded by Bailey to open the public hearing 7:17 pm.
Roll Call Vote: Bailey- Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Henke – Aye, Ryan – Aye Motion carried 4-0-0.
City Engineer Olinger stated that this was a Public Hearing on the proposed 2025 Street and Utility Improvement project. A neighborhood meeting was held on October 2. Five residents attended that meeting. Engineer Olinger presented a scope of the project including the affected project area, proposed conditions, project costs and funding, special assessments, and the proposed schedule for the project.
Kirk Hiner, who has a business at 43 Slee Street, was concerned about the additional taxes and his loading docks being shut down during construction.
Allan Turner, who lives at 626 8th Street, stated that he doesn’t foresee people using a sidewalk if it was installed in the south side of his house. He would rather see the sidewalk put on the Red Wing Avenue side of his house.
Motion by Ryan seconded by Bailey to close the public hearing at 7:37 pm.
Roll Call Vote: Bailey- Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Henke – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Sjolander – Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
ENGINEERING
2025 Street and Utility Improvements
Engineer Olinger stated that the council needs to consider whether or not to order the improvements based on the hearing comments. Approval would notify the public that the city intends to move forward with the project and authorize the city engineer to complete the final design on the project.
Resolution 2024-24: Ordering Improvement and Prep Plans
Motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson to adopt Resolution 2024-24.
Roll Call Vote: Bailey- Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Henke – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Sjolander – Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
Pearl Creek & Gates Avenue Utility Improvements
Engineer Olinger stated that this pay estimate includes work to restore the yard space around the new lift station. The final completion date of the contract was September 27. There is still a punch list of items requiring attention. BCM has been notified that further delays will result in liquidated damage deductions from the final payment.
Diane Barrett listed several issues that had not yet been addressed by BCM. She was disappointed that the work was not getting done.
Pay Application #9 to BCM Construction
Motion by Bailey second by Helgeson to approve pay request No. 9 to BCM Construction in the amount of $5,438.75 for work completed through September 27, 2024.
Roll Call Vote: Bailey- Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Henke – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Sjolander – Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
LEGAL
Rezoning Request – Jeffrey and Ann Traxler
Attorney Sathe reviewed the request from Jeffrey and Ann Traxler to rezone a parcel (PID# 66.680.0460) they own from I-1 (General Industrial) to C-2 (General Commercial). The Planning Commission held a public hearing on October 1, 2024, and recommended the rezoning change. There were no public comments at the hearing.
Ordinance 106: Rezoning a Parcel of Land Owned by Jeffrey and Ann Traxler from I-1 (General Industrial) to G-2 (General Commercial)
Motion by Helgeson seconded by Ryan to adopt Ordinance No.106.
Roll Call Vote: Bailey- Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Henke – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Sjolander – Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
Resolution 2024-25: Approving Publication of Ordinance 106 by Title and Summary
Motion by Ryan seconded by Helgeson to adopt Resolution 2024-16.
Roll Call Vote: Bailey- Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Henke – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Sjolander – Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2024-23: Adoption of Election Judges for 2024
Motion by Helgeson seconded by Bailey to adopt Resolution 2024-23: Appointing Election Judges for 2024.
Roll Call Vote: Bailey- Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Henke – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Sjolander – Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
KMU Meeting: Tuesday, October 15 @ 4 p.m.
EDA Meeting: Tuesday, October 22 @ 8 a.m.
General Election: Tuesday, November 5 @ 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
City Council Meeting: Tuesday, November 12 @ 7 p.m.
Township Fire Contract Meeting: Tuesday, December 3rd @ 6:00 p.m.
Truth in Taxation Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 3rd @ 6:30 p.m.
COUNCIL AND STAFF GENERAL COMMENTS
Council Member Helgeson encouraged everyone to come out on Saturday to the Fall Festival in town. Many activities are planned.
Mayor Henke stated that he had asked the KMU commission to loan the city $2 million to get a housing development started. He had gotten a verbal agreement from all the commissioners. The details still need to be worked out.
Police Chief Sjolander reported that Police Officer Mitch Taylor had accepted a job with the Apple Valley Police Department. His last day will be October 17.
Motion by Bailey seconded by Helgeson to adjourn the meeting at 8:01 pm.
Roll Call Vote: Bailey- Aye, Helgeson – Aye, Henke – Aye, Ryan – Aye, Sjolander – Aye
Motion carried 5-0-0.
Holli Gudknecht, Administrative Assistant
Douglas Henke, Mayor
