Regular Meeting of the Mazeppa City Council
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The regular meeting of the Mazeppa City Council was called to order at 6:02 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, City Engineer Matt Mohs, Wabasha County Sherrif Chief Deputy Jim Warren, Municipal Liquor Store Manager Todd Ihrke, Public Works Director Scott Ellingson, Jason Stein, and City Administrator-Clerk Karl Nahrgang.
Present via electronic meeting: Holly Galbus from the News Record.
Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch to approve the agenda and addendum. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to approve the November 13, 2024, regular Council meeting minutes and the November 14, 2024, Council quorum minutes. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Wiebusch to close the regular meeting and open the Truth-in-Taxation meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Regular meeting was closed at 6:04 PM and Truth-in-Taxation hearing opened at 6:04 PM.
City Administrator went through the changes in the levy request for 2025.
No other comments were made.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to close the Truth0in-Taxation Hearing and re-open the regular meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Truth-in-Taxation hearing was closed at 6:10 PM and regular meeting re-opened at 6:10 PM.
Wabasha County Sherriff’s Chief Deputy Jim Warren gave the monthly Incident Command Report. Discussion of strategies to help the Mazeppa Public Works Department to get vehicles to be off the streets before snowplowing.
Public Works Director Scott Ellingson gave the Public Works report.
Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang read the Fire Department report and read the list of newly elected Fire Department and Fire Relief officers
2025 Fire Department officers are:
Fire Chief: Bryce Dohrn
Assistant Chief: Brandon Goranson
Assistant Chief: Jeff Sommerfield
Inside Captain: Paul Goetsch
Outside Captain: Christian Monsrud
Truck Captain: Justin Staub
Safety Officers: Steve Goodenough
Medical Director: Mackenzie Peck
Training Officer: Mike Peck
President: Paul Goetsch
Vice President: Andrew Piva
Secretary: Ellen Lexvold
Motion by Young, second by Liffrig to approve the Fire Department and Fire relief officers for 2025. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Municipal Liquor Store Manager Todd Ihrke gave the liquor store report.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to close the Public Hearing and re-open the regular Council meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Public Hearing was closed and the regular meeting re-opened at 6:50 PM.
City Engineer Matt Mohs presented the engineering report.
Jason Stein addressed the Council about the Dollar General project. He is concerned about drainage in the area affecting his property and expressed that he felt that resident questions about the project by residents of the area had gone unanswered by the Council and City Administration.
Council replied that project documents met ordinance development requirements for drainage.
Motion by Young, second by Liffrig to approve building permits: 24-920-098, 179 3rd Ave. NW – entry way for home. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Wiebusch to table approval of the Personnel Policy Handbook until the January 8, 2025, regular Council meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Chestnut Estates Development agreement has been signed by all parties. A copy will be sent to the City Attorney for his records.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to approve WWTP Pay Request No. 1 to Wapasha Construction. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to approve 2025 Budget and Levy Payable in 2025 of $420,479. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Liffrig to approve Resolution 2024-40 Accepting a donation from Mazeppa Fire Relief to be transferred to the truck fund reserve. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Wiebusch to approve a sign permit for Winkels Electric to be installed at Dollar General at 269 Highway 60 E. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Liffrig to approve Resolution 2024-41 Accepting a donation from the Mazeppa Business Alliance of $500 towards park and bridge Holiday lighting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Wiebusch to approve the following year end transfers from the City operating account to City Reserves. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Mazeppa Liquor Retained Earnings to City Operating Fund: $20,000 -per 2024 budget.
Mazeppa Liquor Operating Fund to MMLS Savings/Maintenance Acct: $5250
From Mazeppa Fire Fund to Truck Fund Reserve: $175,000 – budgeted amount and donations.
From Mazeppa Fire Fund to Fire Relief Retirement Account: $18,938 – Fire Fund surplus.
Streets/Parks Fund to Parks and Trails Reserves: $2281 – donation proceeds.
More 2024 year end transfers to reserves to be presented at the January 8, 2025 meeting.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to approve Resolution 2024-42 Accepting a donation from the Mazeppa Lions Club of $750 towards ice rink maintenance expenses. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to approve 2025 retainer agreement with Lamprecht Law for $1950 per month. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to pay the bills and claims. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
City Attorney Luke Lamprecht wished Council and Staff a safe and happy Christmas.
Council members thanked the Lion’s Club, Mazeppa Business Alliance, and the Fi Relief Association for their financial gifts to the City.
Motion by Hammes, second by Liffrig to adjourn the meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Meeting recessed at 7:18 PM.
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Administrator-Clerk
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Mayor
Next meeting: 6:00 PM, January 8, 2025.