2017 January 11th Meeting Minutes


The Round Lake City Council met for a regular council meeting on Wednesday, January 11th, 2017 at City Hall. Council members present were: Dennis Bucholz, Walon Habben, Gary Larson and Acting Mayor, Court Baumgard. Others present were: Doug and Becky Strandberg, Merle and Mrs. Baumgard, Kurt Lintelman, Karen Lewis, Marv Soulek, Tim Kennedy, Commissioner Justin Ahlers, Bruce Bentele, Derek Nelson, Deputy Brian Steffens and Clerk Elaine Walker.

Meeting was called to order by Acting Mayor Court Baumgard at 6:14pm.

Additions to the Agenda: Gas detector – Derek, 1st steps of land detachment. Motion by Habben, second by Larson to approve the agenda and the additions to the agenda. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Bucholz, second by Larson to approve the minutes from December 8th, 2017 meeting. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Habben, second by Bucholz to approve bills, receipts and claims to be paid as presented. All ayes: Carried.

Motion to approve Mike Smith as Civil Defense Director for 2017 made by Bucholz, second by Larson. All ayes: Carried.

Motion to approve Fire Department Officers, made by Habben, second by Larson. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Larson, second by Habben to approve moving forward with the Southwest Minnesota Broadband IPTV upgrade. All ayes: Carried.

Acting Mayor Court Baumgard presented Councilmember Dennis Bucholz with a years of service certificate and voiced the City’s appreciation for his time on the Council.

New Councilmember, Paul Cunningham was sworn in by Acting Mayor Baumgard.

Merle Baumgard and Kurt Lintelman addressed the Council about the Senior Citizen building and asked if the City would be interested in the property if they decide to meet at the Greater Round Lake Community Center rather than maintain the building. Discussion was tabled until they make some decisions.

Tim Kennedy has purchased the three lots, 168, 169 and 170 on 6th Avenue that are currently ag land. He asked the Council what types of permits he will need to build a large machine shed on this property and what it will take to get water/sewer and electricity ran to the building. He plans to plant a couple of rows of trees also. He was asking about needing a variance if he builds it higher than the usual residential height for sidewalls. Since it is ag land, the Council didn’t think he would need a variance, but Clerk Walker will check the ordinances for building adjacent to residential property when it’s an ag property.

Motion by Larson, second by Cunningham to approve the consent agenda including the Official Newspaper – Tri County News, Depository – United Prairie Bank, City Assessor – Terry Pigman, City Attorney – Mark Shepherd, Atty and City Auditor – Dennis Rick, Ltd. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Habben, second by Larson to approve Ned A Jones from Farmers Insurance Agency as the City’s Insurance Agent and the City’s Financial Advisor. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Habben, second by Larson to approve Resolution No. 2017-01-11 for Brehm Group Renewal of the Accident Coverage for the Council. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Larson, second by Cunningham to approve the signing of the form stating that the City DOES NOT waive the Monetary Limits on Municipal Tort Liability established by MN Statute 466.04. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Habben, second by Cunningham to approve the 2017 fee schedule contingent on the gas committee researching the need to increase the City’s gas fees. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Larson, second by Cunningham to approve the use of the IRS reimbursement standard of 53.5 cents per mile for 2017. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Habben, second by Larson to select Court Baumgard as the Acting Mayor for 2017. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Larson, second by Habben to approve the duty chart as included with the minutes. All ayes: Carried.

Salary reviews will be held at 5:15pm on February 8th and will be added to the December 2017 agenda so we can start 2018 with the new wage designations.

Nobles County Auditor letter – regarding tax forfeited land located on Harrison Street. City does not want to purchase land for any reason.

Insurance coverage and premiums reviewed for 2017.

Motion by Habben, second by Cunningham to approve Resolution No. 2017-01-11 (2) Regarding Mutual Aid Assistance and MMUA Agreement. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Larson, second by Cunningham to approve Resolution No. 2017-01-11 (3) Regarding Bituminous Surfacing Agreement with Nobles County and agreement. All ayes: Carried.

NEON – Next meeting is January 12th, 2017.

Southwest Regional Development Commission Training Saturday, February 4th, 2017. Clerk Walker requested permission to attend.

Bruce Bentele – Federated provided a quote for the electric out to the Wass Avenue location for the Verizon tower. Bruce asked the Council if they wanted to require the contractor to pay 50% down and the remainder on completion. Council said if they would do that great but it’s negotiable. Bruce will be going to water/ waste water convention on March 6th-9th and wanted to remind the Council that registration will be this month. It will be held in St. Cloud, MN.

Derek Nelson – The gas detector for the Fire Department should be their purchase, the City really shouldn’t share this equipment with them. Justin Ahlers spoke up and mentioned that the Fire Department should test every call for carbon monoxide, especially in the winter months. He was sharing from experience, better safe than sorry. Councilmember Larson will bring Derek and Justin’s recommendations back to the Fire Department for their next meeting.

Elaine Walker – After a month of Asyst issues, Clerk Walker checked into starting Banyon at the request of the Council. With the amount of work it takes, May 1st is the first possible date that will be acceptable for the City to make the switch. Council approved starting the process May 1st and Clerk Walker will contact Banyon for further instructions.

Regional Safety Group (RSG) is a group that we can join to be part of an OSHA mandated training program that will cost the City $450/ year. We get 6 trainings and meet the OSHA requirements with these trainings. RSG would like Round Lake to host in February and the meeting room at the Greater Round Lake Community Center will cost $50 to have the meeting there. An average attendance number is 30 people so the space will be needed. Motion by Habben, second by Cunningham to approve rental of the space and membership in RSG for 2017. All ayes: Carried.

MCFOA Annual Clerk’s Conference is March 13th-17th and Clerk Walker will be attending and wanted to remind the Council that registration will be this month. It will be held in Welch, MN.

Deputy Brian Steffens was in attendance, he had no issues to present to the Council at this time.

Acting Mayor Baumgard was contacted about some land East of town by Steve Hennecker. He is wondering about detaching this land from the City for tax purposes since it is agricultural. Council thought it had already been done, but Clerk Walker will check with the County to make sure.

City Hall will be closed on Monday, January 16th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The next Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 8th, 2017 at 5:30pm to allow time for employee reviews with the regular Council meeting to follow.

Motion by Habben, second by Cunningham to adjourn meeting. All ayes: Carried. Meeting was adjourn at 7:29pm.