The Round Lake City Council met for a public hearing to consider vacating a portion of Railroad Avenue and the regular council meeting followed on August 10th, 2016. Council members present were: Dennis Bucholz, Court Baumgard, Wally Habben, Gary Larson and Mayor Doug Knuth. Others present were: Bruce Bentele, Derek Nelson, Linda Koning, Keith Stubbe, Scott Ellenbecker, Diane Larson, Chris Sanns, Becky & Doug Strandberg, Len Meissen and Clerk Elaine Walker.
Meeting was called to order at 6:17pm by Mayor Knuth.
Additions to the Agenda: Chris Sanns – Building permit for garage, water leak policy, air conditioners for City Hall. Motion by Baumgard, second by Habben to approve the agenda and additions to the agenda. All ayes: Carried.
Mayor Knuth opened the public hearing at 6:24pm. The purpose of the public hearing was to decide whether or not a portion of Railroad Avenue should be vacated. Mayor Knuth explained that the current gas pump located closest to Railroad Avenue is actually not on the Pit Stop property. To be able to clear the title for the Pit Stop, it is necessary for the City to vacate a 12 foot portion running the entire length of the property. It will not interfere with the roadway and it will be able to function as it has for years. There were no comments from the public.
Motion by Habben, second by Bucholz to close the hearing. All ayes: Carried.
Motion by Bucholz, second by Baumgard to approve Resolution No. 2016-08-10 a resolution vacating a portion of Railroad Avenue. All ayes: Carried.
Motion by Baumgard, second by Bucholz to authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute such documents as needed to transfer the vacated portion of Railroad Avenue to L&M Partners, LLC and such documents as may be needed to clear the title to the Pit Stop property. All ayes: Carried.
Motion by Larson, second by Habben to approve the minutes from the July 13th and July 25th meetings. All ayes: Carried.
Motion by Larson, second by Habben to approve the bills as presented – Check #19670 thru 19721 and $413.57 to Minnesota Revenue for July withholding tax, $2,490.38 to EFTPS for July Employer tax, $1,487.11 to PERA for July payment, $3,096.00 to Minnesota Revenue for July Sales Tax for the City (all filed electronically). All ayes: Carried.
Bruce Bentele – Need to fix toilet in new building, the lights are too low for the racking that they want to put in. Asked about moving the lights up and having John Wilson come in and add a few on the ceiling also. Going to leave the cupboards and countertops that are in the building. Clarified that the building is to be shared with the Fire Department 50/50.
Derek Nelson – Website was hacked, council directed Derek to hire the rebuild and get the website back up and running as soon as possible. Derek had a Drug and Alcohol inspection and they want to drug test the Clerk. He talked to MMUA and they said to hold off, that may be overreaching their jurisdiction.
Elaine Walker – USTI – Asyst is requiring an upgrade. This is the software used for billing and it is highly customized causing the City added expense. Clerk Elaine asked permission to research alternative programs to see if the cost would be beneficial to the City. Council directed Clerk to research and provide them with quotes and details at September meeting.
Sheriff’s Department was not present.
Motion by Bucholz, second by Habben to approve Temporary On-Sale Liquor License for Becky Strandberg for the Greater Round Lake Community Center Grand Opening beer garden on Saturday, August 20th, 2016. They will be contracting Keith Stubbe, Sport Shots Tavern to serve and provide the liquor for the event. Keith Stubbe will provide proof of liquor liability insurance for the event prior to issuing the permit. All ayes: Carried.
Nuisance Letters update – council directed Clerk Elaine to send reminder letters and give October 1, 2016 as the new deadline to be in compliance with the ordinance. Clerk Elaine had contacted those who had received the letters and documented the progress that has been made and some had requested additional time to get the work done.
Motion by Habben, second by Larson to approve the building permit as presented by Chris Sanns, to build a garage on the property located at 517 Harrison Street; providing he follow the ordinance for height and distance from the county road to the South. All ayes: Carried.
Water leak policy for residents who have emergency situations. Council agreed to have six months average and the overage be sold at cost. The difference will be a credit to the account.
Council directed Bruce and Derek to gather estimates for exterior updates to the City Hall building and shop. Central air and heating estimates also, to decide which route is best for the air conditioning of the council room and City Hall office.
Council directed Clerk Elaine to research the abandoned property on 1st Avenue to see if it’s in tax abatement mode yet and report back at the September meeting.
August 23rd – August 25th the PD and NCSO will be having active shooter training at the Round Lake Community Center and wanted to alert the community. There will be a large police presence in town on those dates and the community center will be closed to the public.
Next Council meeting will be on Wednesday, September 14th, 2016 at 6:15pm.
Motion by Habben, second by Larson to adjourn. All ayes: Carried
Meeting was adjourned at 7:27pm.