The Round Lake City Council met in regular session on Wednesday, July 11th, 2018 at 6:15pm at City Hall.
Councilmembers present were Paul Cunningham, Court Baumgard, Walon Habben, Gary Larson and Mayor Doug Knuth. Others present were Nobles County Administrator, Tom Johnson, Nobles County Commissioner, Justin Ahlers, Bruce Bentele, Derek Nelson and Clerk Elaine Walker.
Meeting was called to order at 6:15pm.
Additions to the agenda: Minnesota Energy and an alternate for bank account online access.
Motion by Larson, second by Baumgard to approve the agenda and additions to the agenda. All ayes: Carried.
Motion by Larson, second by Habben to approve the minutes from June 13th regular and June 28th special meetings. All ayes: Carried.
Motion by Habben, second by Baumgard to approve the bills and receipts as presented. Clerk Elaine did not pay councilmembers for the special meeting on June 28th or councilmembers Habben and Larson for attending the meeting in Reading regarding the assessor requirements. Notes to Clerk Elaine to correct that on the next check. All ayes: Carried.
The Nobles County Administrator, Tom Johnson and Nobles County Commissioner, Justin Ahlers were able to answer some of the questions the Council had about the new assessor requirements that will be in effect in 2022. Right now the City of Round Lake is without an assessor, due to Terry Pigman retiring in May 2018. We will be charged $12.00/parcel by Nobles County for the 336 parcels located within the City of Round Lake for the 2019 tax season. The new regulations coming into play for 2022 will cause most of the local assessors to not renew their license. There are only a handful of assessors in our area and most will choose not to continue once the new regulations are inforce. Tom Johnson and Justin Ahlers agree that it’s a time for change and they will be hiring at least two assessors to work for Nobles County in this capacity moving forward. The commissioners will be voting on this issue in coming months, nothing has been decided as of this meeting, but changes are happening. Currently Ellsworth, Worthington and Kinbrea are using Nobles County as their assessor and the City of Round Lake would like to as well. The True County method of assessing is when the County performs the assessing for all entities within its jurisdiction, this will be part of the discussion regarding the new assessor requirements coming down from the State of Minnesota.
Resolution #2018-07-11 – Resolution Accepting Donation Received – from Terry Stern for the Round Lake Fire Department Relief Association to be used for equipment. Motion by Baumgard, second by Habben to accept the donation for equipment. All ayes: Carried.
U & I Garden Club approached City Hall with a donation proposal, they have money from a grant that is to be used for community improvement. They are wondering if the City would like to plant a tree in the park with some of this money. Council approved the idea and told Bruce to communicate with a member of the club to determine what kind of tree and where to plant it. Maple was a thought and to possibly plant in the spring of 2019.
Council reviewed the petition filed by neighbors for the property located at 302 Margaret Street. Clerk Elaine was advised to send a letter regarding the cleanup of the yard.
Process for hiring a replacement for Derek is underway. Position has been advertised in area newspapers and deadline for applications is set for July 20th, 2018 at 4:00pm. Mayor Doug Knuth called a special meeting to be on Wednesday, August 1st at 6:00pm at City Hall to review applications and narrow the selection to be interviewed on Monday, August 6th starting at 6:00pm. Council will create list of interview questions and bring them to Clerk Elaine on August 1st if not before.
Southwest Minnesota Broadband will discontinue the video service as of July 16th and will be offering the Southwest Stream option instead. Mayor Doug Knuth was voted in as vice chairman at the last meeting. Travis was given a 9% raise, which covers the past 3 years, based on his performance.
Clerk Elaine will need someone else to be on the bank account online access, due to Derek leaving. Motion by Larson, second by Baumgard to approve councilmember Walon Habben as second person with access online to the bank accounts. Councilmember Habben abstained from vote. All ayes: Carried.
Bruce Bentele asked the Council if he could hire a part-time person to help him with mowing until a replacement is hired for Derek’s position. Motion by Habben, second by Baumgard to approve hiring one part-time worker to help with mowing, etc. paying at a rate of $12.50 per hour, no benefits. All ayes: Carried.
The Special Council meeting to review applications for the full-time public works maintenance position will be on Wednesday, August 1st at 6:00pm at City Hall.
The next Council meeting will be on Wednesday, August 8th, 2018 at 6:15pm at City Hall.
Motion to adjourn made by Habben, second by Larson. All ayes: Carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45pm.