Regular Meeting of the Mazeppa City Council
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
The regular meeting of the Mazeppa City Council was called to order at 6:08 PM by Mayor Chris Hagfors.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Present: Mayor Chris Hagfors. Council Persons Michael Hammes, Dustin Wiebusch, and Erica Young.
Others Present: City Attorney Luke Lamprecht, Wabasha County Sherriff Department Patrol Sargeant Joe Schneider, City Engineer Matt Mohs, Andrew Miller, Holley Counsel, Public Works Director Scott Ellingson, and City Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang.
Present via electronic meeting: John Clemens, Holly Galbus from the News Record, and Robert Josselyn.
Absent: Councilperson Steve Liffrig.
Motion by Young, second by Wiebusch to amend the agenda, removing a repeated item. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Hammes to approve the amended agenda and the addendum. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to approve the meeting minutes for the January 11, 2023, 2022 regular City Council meeting and the January 31, 2023 reconvened City Council meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Wabasha Count Patrol Sargent Joe Schneider presented the Incident Command Report for January.
Public Words Director Scott Ellingson gave the Public Works activity report.
Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang read the Fire Department report.
Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang gave the Municipal Liquor Store report.
City Engineer Matt Mohs gave the Engineering update.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to approve the Sewer and Water engineering agreement with Bolton & Menk in accordance with USDA Rural Development guidelines for the wastewater plant and collection system project. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
A concern about drainage issues on 2nd Ave. SE was presented. The complainant will attend the next Council meeting.
The payout of a former employee’s Health Reimbursement Account was discussed.
Motion by Young, second by Wiebusch to pay the balance of the existing HRA to the former employee after consulting the City Auditor about tax implications and payout options. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to approve Resolution 2023-08 Removing Signature Authority for former Liquor Store Manager Heather Groby from all Mazeppa Municipal Liquor Store Accounts. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch declaring Fire Department Equipment as surplus and authorizing sale of same. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Property and casualty insurance options were offered.
Motion by Young, second by Wiebusch to NOT waive tort limits. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to waive medical payment coverage. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig Young to keep Open Meeting Law coverage. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Andrew Miller and Holley Counsel from the Mazeppa trail committee updated a DNR connecting trail grant proposal.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to approve Resolution 2023-10 Supporting the Minnesota DNR Local Trail connections grant application. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to approve a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment and a 2% Merit pay raise for the Deputy Clerk, Public Works Director, and Public Works staff. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to renew the Public Administrator Annual contract with a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment and 2% Merit pay raise. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to set a public hearing on an updated zoning map for 6:00 PM Wednesday, March 8, 2023. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to approve Resolution 2023-11 Approving a permit for a Fireworks display for Winterfest on Saturday. February 11, 2023. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to pay the bills and claims. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Council members Young, Wiebusch, Hammes, and Mayor Hagfors all thanked the volunteers for the work preparing for the Skating Party at the ice rink. They also thanked the Liquor Store staff for stepping up to keep things running during this transition.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to recess the meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Meeting recessed at 7:40 PM.
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Administrator-Clerk