Regular Meeting of the Mazeppa City Council
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
The regular meeting of the Mazeppa City Council was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mayor Chris Hagfors.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Present: Mayor Chris Hagfors. Council Persons Michael Hammes, Steve Liffrig, Erica Young, and Dustin Wiebusch.
Others Present: City Attorney Luke Lamprecht, City Engineer Matt Mohs from Bolton & Menk, Public Works Director Scott Ellingson, Wabasha County Sheriff Rodney Bartsch, Andrew Forliti from Smith Schafer CPA’s, MMLS Manager Todd Ihrke, Diane Gilsdorf, Theresa Post, Rhonda Sand, and City Administrator-Clerk Karl Nahrgang.
Present via electronic meeting: 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 Liffrig to approve June 11, 2025, regular Council meeting minutes. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Andrew Forliti from Smith Schafer CPAs presented the City Audit for 2025. The Audit has been submitted to the State of Minnesota.
Motion by Hammes, second by Liffrig to approve the 2024 City Audit. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Wabasha County Sheriff Rodney Bartsch gave the ICR for June. He said that the deputies have been checking Herb Vik Park in the evenings after events and monitoring the construction site to deter vandalism and theft. Bartsch also said that the extra shifts for Mazeppa Daze are filled, and the Sheriff’s Department is ready for Mazeppa Daze.
Public Works Director Scott Ellingson gave the Public Works report and said that Public Works is ready for the Mazeppa Daze events.
Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang gave the Fire Department report.
MMLS Manager Todd Ihrke gave the Liquor Store report.
City Engineer Matt Mohs gave the Engineering update.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to approve WWTP project pay application #8 to Wapasha Construction for $437,928.69. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to approve Street Utility project pay application #1 to Schu8macher Excavating for $63,431.09. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to approve Task Order #7 for preliminary planning and design for stormwater, wastewater, and community resilience for a total of $45,926.00 of which $41,300.00 will be reimbursed by an MPCA grant. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang reported on City Hall Activities.
Rhonda Sand asked for updates on City actions to make sure the property at 140 Cherry St. E is safe and that progress on clean up is still moving forward. The also asked the City to do something about items being set out on curbs for a “giveaway” and left there. Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang responded that he has been in contact with multiple parties to get permission to enter the premises and do a structural inspection.
Diane Gilsdorf and Theresa Post asked Council to close a portion of Walnut St. for a benefit event. Discussion of alternatives to avoid blocking Riverview Apartments entrance were discussed.
Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang updated on 2 minor subdivisions. He had received the materials for LaRoche Lookout and contacted Mr. Olson for Scenic Heights Replat 7. Those documents will be completed and submitted in the next week or so.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to approve building permits. 25-18-0013, 454 3rd Ave. NE – home addition. 25-18-0015, 1249 River Bluff Rd. SE -Deck. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Liffrig to approve hiring Steve Mehrkens as a part-time employee in the Public Works Department. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Liffrig to approve purchase of a new Hustler mower for $7616, after trade-n of current Hustler mower. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Wiebusch to approve a contract for a pop machine located at City Hall with proceeds dedicated to park projects. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Hammes to approve replacing 2 overhead doors and installing openers on the City Shop for $11,670. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to approve Resolution 2025-25 accepting a donation from the Mazeppa Lion’s Club. 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 thanked all of those who volunteered to remove dead trees in the park and to Erik Vik for volunteering time and equipment to assist in that project in preparation for Mazeppa Daze.
Council also let everyone know that the Market in the Park event is going to be Thursday, July17, 2025.
Motion by Hammes, second by Liffrig to adjourn the meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:26 PM.
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Administrator Clerk
Next meeting: Working Session, date to be determined.