The regular City Council meeting of the Mazeppa City Council was called to order at 6:03 PM by Mayor Chris Hagfors.

Pledge of allegiance was said.

Present: Mayor Chris Hagfors. Councilpersons: Erica Young, Jeff Nelson, Mike Hammes, and Steve Liffrig.

Others Present: City Attorney Luke Lamprecht, City Engineer Matt Mohs, Elizabeth Deming from Lamprecht Law Office, Adeline Betcher, John Betcher, and Fire Chief Bryce Dohrn.

Attending via electronic meeting: Wabasha County Sherriff’s Chief Deputy Jim Warren, Bob Josselyn, John Clemens, Dustin Wiebusch, City Administrator Karl Nahrgang, and Holly Galbus from the News Record.

Motion by Hammes, second by Young to approve the agenda and addendum. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Young, second by Nelson to approve the December 8, 2021 Regular City Council meeting minutes, the December 8, 2021 reconvened meeting minutes, the December 22, 2021 Council working session minutes and the continued recess due to lack of a quorum at the December 28, 2021 Park & Rec observation meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Wabasha County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jim Warren presented the Incident Command Report for December to the Council. Chief Deputy Warren also gave local statistics on accidents caused by texting and driving. City Administrator Nahrgang let Warren know of complaints about speeding on 4th Ave. NE and about an out-of-town resident looking for help with aggressive dogs. Mazeppa Public Works Report was read by Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang.

Mazeppa Volunteer Fire Department report was presented by Fire Chief Bryce Dohrn. Dohrn also asked City Attorney Lamprecht if there is a mechanism for a former fire fighter to be able to operate fire equipment on an as needed basis for daytime emergency calls.

City Hall activities report was given by City Administrator Karl Nahrgang.

Motion by Young, second by Nelson to approve deny hearing a minor subdivision request from Phil Olson until the annexation on the adjacent land is finalized by the Minnesota Administrative Law judge. This action to be recognized as Resolution 2022-07. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Young, second by Nelson to approve building permits MZ21-26, 1021 River Bluff Rd. SE – Losure Construction to replace deck. MZ21-27, 1535 Cherry St. E – Bigelow Homes, new house. close the Regular City Council meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

City Engineer Matt Mohs gave an engineering update including meeting with USDA Rural Development on the pre-engineering report for the WWTP project. EPA program that may supply find to replace lead water service lines in the community. Second reading Ordinance 2021-05 Annexing land into the City.

Motion by Nelson, second by Liffrig to approve Ordinance 2021-05 annexing land into the City and paying Mazeppa Township 2 installments of $4.35 in lost tax revenue on the land annexed into the City. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Young, second by Liffrig to approve changes in yearend transfers to reserves. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Nelson, second by Hammes to approve Economic Development Authority business grant program to fund 40% of pandemic related business losses. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Nelson, second by Young to approve Resolution 2022-04 transferring $12,760.80 of American Recovery Plan Funds to the Economic Development Authority to fund business grant program. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Elizabeth Deming from Lamprecht Law reported that the sale of Parcel R23.00160.03 to 2nd Oldest Arctic Cat dba/Moto Proz was complete and the check to the City was sent.

Motion by Hammes, second by Nelson to approve auditor engagement letter for 2021 City financial audit. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Nelson, second by Liffrig to approve Resolution 2022-01 naming City appointments for 2022. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Young, second by Liffrig to approve Resolution 2022-02 accepting a donation from Mazeppa Fire Relief. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Hammes, second by Young to contract snow hauling with Turbo’s Repair. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Hammes, second by Nelson to approve Resolution 2022-03 transferring Fire fund surplus to Mazeppa Fire Relief retirement account. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Liffrig, second by Nelson to pay the bills and claims. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Councilperson Jeff Nelson announced that the February 9, 2022 meeting would be his last because he is moving out of the City of Mazeppa. He thanked the people of the City for the opportunity to serve on the Council.

Council and staff thanked Mr. Nelson for his years of service to the City.

Councilperson Erica Young announced the Parks and Recreation skating party at the ice rink on January 29, 2022 from 1 PM – 3 PM. Refreshments are available. She also thanked rink volunteers Andrew Piva and Dan Nelson for their hard work on this project.

Councilperson Steve Liffrig suggested that Public Works purchase a battery jump pack in case one of the generators does not start during a power outage.

Motion by Nelson, second by Young to close the regular meeting in accordance with 13D-05 Subdivision 3, (C) 3 to develop/consider purchase of property. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Meeting closed at 7:35 PM.

Motion by Nelson, second by Liffrig to end closed meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Nelson, second by Young to open the regular meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Meeting re-opened at 8:00 PM.

Motion by Young, second by Nelson to deny proposal for City to purchase the southern portion of parcel R23.00249.00. Action to be recognized as Resolution 2022-08. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Nelson, second by Hammes to deny petition to lift prescriptive easement on the portion of roadway across parcel R23.00249.00 connecting 4th Ave. NE to Chestnut St. Action to be recognized as Resolution 2022-06. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

City Attorney Luke Lamprecht advised City staff should create and publish policy on getting items on the agenda earlier, so Council can have more time to study information on actionable items.

Motion by Nelson, second by Liffrig to recess until the January 29, 2022 Parks and Recreation skating party. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Meeting recessed at 8:11 PM.