The regular City Council meeting of the Mazeppa City Council was called to order at 6:02 PM by Mayor Chris Hagfors.

Pledge of allegiance was said.

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

Others Present: City Attorney Luke Lamprecht, City Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang, Matt Mohs from Bolton and Menk, Elizabeth Deming from Lamprecht Law Office, Zach Hofius, Wabasha County Sherriff’s Deputy John Coons and Public Works Director Scott Ellingson.

Attending via electronic meeting:
Bob Josselyn, John Clemens, Holly Galbus from the News-Record and Luke Lunde from WSB associates.

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

Motion by Nelson, second by Young to approve the December 9, 2020 regular City Council meeting and the January 6, 2021 special council meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Wabasha County Sherriff’s Deputy John Coons presented the monthly Incident Command Report. Council question on progress of cleanup at property ticketed for nuisance violations.

Motion by Nelson, second by Liffrig to recognize progress at cited property and not reissue second citation so long as cleanup is still progressing. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Public Works Director Scott Ellingson reported on Public Works activities.

Fire Department report was read by Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang.

Municipal Liquor Store report was read by Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang.

Motion by Hammes, second by Nelson to approve the Mazeppa Municipal Liquor Store hiring of Karen Berg, Angie Grossbach, Matthew Kruger, Emily McAdams, Joe Sorenson, Olivia Stahler, and Cassie Tiedemann. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Nelson, second by Young to accept the resignations of Samantha Clemenson and Michelle Luhmann as Mazeppa Municipal Liquor Store staff. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Luke Lunde of WSB updated the Council on the SE Riverbank stabilization project. The D.N.R. initially did not choose the project for grant funding. However, after working with the D.N.R. officials and making suggested changes to the plan, the D.N.R. would grant an expanded project and allow the City’s cost for engineering work already done on the project to be counted as in kind matching funds for the grant. The next step for grant request to FEMA has also been submitted.

Motion by Nelson, second by Hammes to approve expanding the scope of the SE Riverbank stabilization project to include riverbank and habitat along the west edge of Herb Vik park. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Matt Mohs of Bolton & Menk updated the Council on the wastewater treatment plant pre-engineering report, sewer collection system issues and the proposed sanitary sewer district discussions by several area communities.

Motion by Nelson, second by Young to approve building permits: MZ20-47, setting a manufactured home in the manufactured home par for Sveen Properties. MZ20-40, installation of new deck railings for Darik Rude. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Zachary Hofius proposed a volunteer project in Walking Bridge Park for hillside landscaping. He will present final plans at a later meeting for Council approval.

Motion by Hammes, second by Nelson to approve transfer of additional $125,228.47 to City reserves. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Hammes, second by Young to approve Resolution 21-01 approving 2021 City appointments. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Hammes, second by Young to approve Resolution 21-02 establishing signatories for the City of Mazeppa. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Hammes, second by Young to approve Resolution 21-03 removing signing authority from term expired officials. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Hammes, second by Young to approve to accept the resignation of Marie Josselyn from the Planning and Zoning committee. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Nelson, second by Hammes to appoint Bob Josselyn and Dustin Wiebusch to the Planning and Zoning Committee. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Young, second by Nelson to approve raising hourly pay at Mazeppa Municipal Liquor Store from $10.00 per hour to $10.08 per hour to comply with 2021 Minnesota minimum wage. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Nelson, second by Hammes to join quiet title action with Ind. School District 2805 on parcel R23.00235.00. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Nelson, second by Young to approve Resolution 21-04 thanking the Mazeppa Fire Relief for its generous donation to the City of Mazeppa. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Nelson, second by Young to approve Resolution 21-05 closing a portion of Cherry St. for the Mazeppa Municipal Liquor Store annual customer appreciation celebration. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Hammes, second by Liffrig to approve to approve Hawkins and Ash auditor engagement letter for the 2020 fiscal audit. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

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

City Attorney stated that with any pay changes the State of MN wage theft law requires a letter be sent regarding any pay rate changes.

Councilperson Jeff Nelson congratulated the new Mayor and welcomed the new Council members.

Councilperson Mike Hammes said he would keep monitoring the cited property for cleanup progress.

Motion by Hammes, Second by Liffrig to recess until 6:00 PM, February 3, 2021 for a Council working session. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Meeting recessed at 8:26 PM.