The Round Lake City Council met for a regular council meeting on Thursday, December 8th, 2016 at City Hall. Council members present were: Court Baumgard, Walon Habben, Gary Larson and Mayor Doug Knuth. Others present were: Abraham Algadi, Worthington Regional Economic Development Corporation (WREDC), Bruce Bentele, Derek Nelson, Keith Stubbe, Kurt Lintelman, Melanie and Eugene Cleland and Clerk Elaine Walker.
Meeting was called to order by Mayor Knuth at 6:15pm.
Additions to the Agenda: Southwest Minnesota Broadband and Fire Department. Motion by Baumgard, second by Habben to approve the agenda and the additions to the agenda. All ayes: Carried.
Mayor Knuth opened Public Hearing for Eugene and Melanie Cleland’s request for property tax abatement for the new house brought in at 110 1st Avenue. Abraham Algadi explained that the property tax that would be abated is the difference from what the value was prior to bringing the house in and what the value is now that the house is located there. The City will not be losing the current tax, only the difference between the two values for the five (5) years. Mayor Knuth asked if there was any public input, no one came forward.
Resolution No. 2016-12-08, a resolution approving tax abatement for certain property pursuant to Minn. Stat. 469.1813. Motion by Habben, second by Larson to approve tax abatement for Eugene and Melanie Cleland for the excess property tax for the five (5) year period. All ayes: Carried.
Motion by Habben, second by Baumgard to close the public hearing. All ayes: Carried.
Motion by Habben, second by Larson to approve the minutes from November 9th, 2016 meeting. All ayes: Carried.
Motion by Larson, second by Baumgard to approve the bills and receipts as presented – Check #19878 thru 19948, excluding #19945 to be voted on later in the meeting. Including $410.81 to Minnesota Revenue for November withholding tax, $2,871.83 to EFTPS for November Employer tax, $1,472.10 to PERA for November payment, $3,873.00 for November Sales Tax for the City (all filed electronically). All ayes: Carried.
Clerk Elaine Walker informed Council that the billing system migration did not go smoothly, Version14 of Asyst is having some issues. May not be able to issue late notices this month, USTI is working to fix the problem. Since our system is highly customized they are having to rewrite some of the programming to accommodate our City. This migration was mandatory for this program and unavoidable, Clerk Walker will be contacting Banyon early next year to discuss the transition to Banyon.
Nuisance Ordinance violations status reports: Keith Stubbe informed the Council that he is seeking an Economic Development grant to possibly build a larger garage and run his Elite Audio business of car stereo installation from his residence on 5th Avenue. He would like the Council to consider his request to run a business like this in a residential zone. Motion by Larson, second by Habben to extend deadline to fix or demolish the garage by June 1st, 2017. All ayes: Carried.
Jeffrey and Dulcie Markus have not responded or done any of the work required to their garage located on 6th Avenue. Motion by Baumgard, second by Habben to extend their deadline also until the June 1st, 2017 date. Council instructed Clerk Walker to contact them to inform them of the new deadline and to remind them to reach out if they need more time.
Rachel Flora has been working on the junk around the yard. They started building a shed and were reminded they need a building permit. They have not completed the application process and have stopped work on the shed. Clerk Walker was instructed by the Council to contact them to relay the April 1st, 2017 deadline for the cleanup.
Fire Protection Agreements with the surrounding townships – The five (5) year agreement that started in 2016 was to increase each year by 3%. Motion by Baumgard, second by Larson to send out the 2017 bills for the 3% increase over 2016 fees. All ayes: Carried.
Motion by Baumgard, second by Larson to adopt the Tax Levy for 2017 with no changes. All ayes: Carried.
Clerk Walker was instructed by Council to send a letter to James Obermoller informing him that it is his responsibility to have a professional survey done and provide the City with a certified survey to determine where the gas easement is, in relation to his property and where he wants to put his garage.
The background checks for Randy Olson and Sonja Grant have come back to the City clear. Clerk Walker informed Chief Mike Smith of the results.
$100k CD matured on December 1, 2016 and was reinvested for 12 mos. With State Bank of India. Council instructed Clerk Walker to reinvest the next one that is maturing on December 12, 2016 also.
Newly Elected Officials Conference January 20-21 in Mankato. Council didn’t feel it was necessary as Paul Cunningham has been on the Council and Mayor in the past.
Motion by Habben, second by Larson to approve the Electric Appliance Rebate form for 2017. All ayes: Carried.
Motion by Baumgard, second by Habben to approve Doug Knuth as Round Lake representative and Gary Larson as alternate on the Southwest Minnesota Broadband board for 2017. All ayes: Carried.
Motion by Larson, second by Baumgard to approve the liquor licenses for L&M Partners, LLC dba: Round Lake Pit Stop, Sport Shots Tavern, Sunset Grill and American Legion Club for 2017. All ayes: Carried.
Motion by Habben, second by Baumgard to approve membership to Worthington Regional Economic Development Corporation (WREDC) for 2017. All ayes: Carried.
Motion by Baumgard, second by Larson to approve paying ½ of the property and liability insurance for the Senior Center. All ayes: Carried.
Motion by Habben, second by Baumgard to pay final bills for the year-end as they are presented to City Hall. All ayes: Carried.
Commissioners will be in town for coffee at the Pit Stop and Senior Center December 14, 2016.
City Hall will be closed for Christmas, December 26th, 2016 and for New Year’s on January 2, 2017.
The League of Minnesota Cities said it would be acceptable to have Court Baumgard, acting Mayor, swear in new Council member, Paul Cunningham at the January meeting in Mayor Knuth’s absence and swear Mayor Knuth in at the February meeting when he returns from vacation. Next Council meeting will be on January 11th, 2017 at 6:15pm at City Hall.
Motion by Habben, second by Larson to adjourn. All ayes: Carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:35pm.