Mazeppa City Council Meeting - January 11, 2023

Posted

Regular Meeting of the Mazeppa City Council

Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

The regular meeting of the Mazeppa City Council was called to order at 6:01 PM by Mayor Chris Hagfors.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Present: Mayor Chris Hagfors. Council Persons Steve Liffrig, Michael Hammes, Dustin

Wiebusch, and Erica Young.

Others Present: City Attorney Luke Lamprecht, Wabasha County Sherriff Deputy Joe Schneider,

Nick Kovermann from SEMMCHRA, and City Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang.

Present via electronic meeting: City Engineer Matt Mohs, John Clemens, Holly Galbus of the

News Record, and Robert Josselyn.

Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch to approve the agenda and addendum. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Re-elected Council members were sworn in: Mayor Christopher Hagfors, Councilperson Dustin Wiebusch, and Councilperson Mike Hammes.

Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig Young to approve the meeting minutes for the December 14, 2022 regular City Council meeting and the December 27, 2022 and December 29, 2022 Special Council meetings. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Wabasha County Sherriff Deputy Joe Schneider summarized the Incident Command Report. He also said the burglary that occurred at the City shop is still under investigation.

Public Works Report was read by Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang.

A Council member commented that updated equipment may be needed to properly get snow removed faster.

The Fire Department report was read by Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang.

The Municipal Liquor Store report was read by Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang.

City Engineer Matt Mohs presented an update on current engineering projects. City Attorney Luke Lamprecht added that the Zoning and Boundary map that Bolton & Menk is preparing is ready to be printed.

A written request for a minor subdivision of platted land by Phil and Shari Olson was given to Council. Attorney Lamprecht will follow up to request further documents from the Olsons.

Discussion on payout of retiring City employee balance in former Health Reimbursement Account was discussed.

Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to table payout of old HRA account for Jim Glander until more information on proper payout is identified. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Nick Koverman from SEMMCHRA updated Council on the next steps in accepting and disbursing Small Cities Development Grants.

Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to adopt sections 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 16 of the Small Cities Development Grant agreement. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to approve Resolution 2023-02 entering into an administrative agreement with SEMMCHRA. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Young, second by Liffrig to approve Resolution 2023-03 Adopting a civil rights policy. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Hammes, second by Young to approve Resolution 2023-04 Adopting a residential anti-displacement and relocating assistance plan. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Liffrig, second by Young to approve Resolution 2023-05 authorizing release of funds on behalf of the City of Mazeppa. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to approve Resolution 2023-01 approving City appointments. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch to accept resignation from Municipal Liquor Store Manager Heather Groby. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Discussion of keeping Ms. Groby employed as a consultant during transition to new manager. Mayor Hagfors called for a motion; none was offered.

Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to approve Auditor Engagement Letter for 2022 City Audit. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to rescind offer to loan Mazeppa Economic Development Authority to purchase tax forfeited lots. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Mazeppa EDA did not purchase any of the lots offered, so no loan was needed.

Motion by Hammes, second by Liffrig to approve pay equity report. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Young, second by Wiebusch to approve Resolution 2023-06 certifying past due water sewer accounts to be assessed to taxes. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to approve Resolution 2023-07 Accepting a donation to the City. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to pay the bills and claims. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

City Attorney Luke Lamprecht discussed a letter he received from the law firm of Dunlap and Seeger requesting Freedom of Information act info from the City of Mazeppa regarding discussions and information having to do with the portion of 4th Ave. NE that lies on private property.

Council members Young, Wiebusch, Liffrig, Hammes, and Mayor Hagfors all wanted to thank MMLS manager Heather Groby for 7 years of service and a job well done. They also wished her well on her future endeavor.

Motion by Liffrig, second by Hammes to recess the meeting until 1:00 PM, January 28, 2023 for the Parks and Rec skating party. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

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Administrator-Clerk