Regular Meeting of the Mazeppa City Council
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
The regular meeting of the Mazeppa City Council was called to order at 6:03 PM by Mayor Chris Hagfors.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Present: Mayor Chris Hagfors. Council Persons Michael Hammes and Dustin Wiebusch,
Others Present: City Attorney Luke Lamprecht, Wabasha County Sherriff’s Department Captain Curt Struwe, Mike Bubany from David Drown Associates, Public Works Director Scott Ellingson, MMLS manager Todd Ihrke, City Engineer Matt Mohs, Darik Rude, John Clemens, Tara Gullickson, Myra Schuck, Jason Stein, Miranda Ihrke, Jordan Robinson, Phil Olson, and City Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang.
Present via electronic meeting: Holly Galbus from the News Record.
Absent: Councilpersons Steve Liffrig and Erica Young.
Motion by Hammes, second by Hammes to approve the agenda and addendum. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to approve the May 10, 2023 regular City Council meeting minutes. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch to close the regular meeting and open the Public Hearing. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Regular meeting was closed and the Public Hering was opened at 6:04 PM.
Public hearing was held to hear comments about a variance application submitted for the property at 1432 Cherry St. E. Property owner requested a variance from the 25’ set back from 14th Ave, NE.
Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch to close the Public Hearing and re-open the Regular City Council meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Public Hearing closed and Regular Council meeting re-opened at 6:13 PM.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to approve the setback variance at 1432 Cherry St. E. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Wabasha County Sherriff’s Department Captain Curt Struwe presented the May Incident Command Report.
Public Works Director Scott Ellingson gave the Public Works report. Councilperson Wiebusch asked for an update on the equipment replacement schedule.
Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang read the Fire Department report.
MMLS manager Todd Ihrke gave the Mazeppa Municipal Liquor Store report.
City Engineer Matt Mohs reported on in process engineering projects.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to move forward with the process with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to swap City Park land to build the new Wastewater Treatment Plant and swap the area now occupied with the area now occupied by the current treatment facility once it has been razed. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch to move forward with grant application to inventory lead service lines. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang reported on City Hall activities.
Nahrgang asked if the City should be observing the Juneteenth Holiday because the State of Minnesota recognized Juneteenth as a Holiday. It was pointed out that Wabasha County and local governments are observing the holiday.
City Attorney Luke Lamprecht summarized Minnesota Statute saying that subordinate governments are not allowed to conduct public business on a recognized holiday except for pertinent functions. The Council determines if this would be a paid or unpaid holiday for eligible staff. A municipal liquor store may be allowed to conduct business if the City Council votes to do so.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to approve Juneteenth as a paid holiday for full-time City staff. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch to approve the liquor store conducting business for the Juneteenth holiday. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to approve Building permits: MZ23-08, 177 Maple St. NE – Re-side. MZ23-04, 1067 Valley Heights Ln. NE – Basement re-model. MZ23-06, 342 14th Ave. SE – New Home. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Mike Bubany of David Drown Associates updated the Council on the interim financing for the wastewater treatment plant engineering. A Temporary General Obligation Utility Revenue Note has been issued and purchased by Frandsen Bank of Zumbrota, MN. Expedient action by the City allowed the City to secure a lower interest rate before the current rate increase. This debt would be paid as part of the next interim financing from Minnesota Rural Water Association that would be incurred at the beginning of the construction phase of the project.
Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch to approve Resolution 2023-29 Providing for the Issuance and Sale of a $2,272,000 Temporary Obligation Utility Revenue Note, Series 2023A, and Pleading Net Revenues for the Security thereof. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to open a checking account at Frandsen Bank Zumbrota, MN to use to process loan proceeds. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch to table discussion of reimbursing for sidewalk repair in front of Gruhlke’s Laundromat. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
City Attorney Luke Lamprecht gave an update on the 15th Ave. NE driveway easement agreement.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to approve Resolution 2023-20 Temporarily closing certain streets within the City of Mazeppa to accommodate Mazeppa Daze events. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch to approve Resolution 2023-32 Issuing a Temporary off site liquor license to Rumors Bar and Grill for Mazeppa Daze. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch to approve Resolution 2023-30 Requesting closure of portions of County Roads 1 & 54 for the Mazeppa Daze Parade. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch to approve Resolution 2023-31 Extending Park Hours for Mazeppa Daze events. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to approve fireworks provisions for Mazeppa Daze fireworks show. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to approve Resolution 2023-33 Approving charitable gambling at Rumors Bar & Grill at 276 Walnut St. NW. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes award contract to replace sidewalk on the east side of 1st Ave. S in front of 1st State Bank, Maple St. NE, and 2nd Ave. NE from the church to Cherry to Next Level Excavating. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to award contract to complete MMLS patio, repair on 1st Ave. S near Lion’s Park and the ADA ramp at 1st Ave. S and Pine St. to Creative concrete. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch to contract Durst Outdoor Services for street patches totaling $16,764.63 at: 1st Ave. S across from Lion’s Park, South St. and 1st Ave. S, 2nd Ave. S and Birch St., 2nd Ave. S and Cedar St., raise the manhole at 9th Ave. SE and Cherry St., and the washout at Cherry St. W in front of the entrance to Jaycee Park/Field. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to table discussion of sharing cost of dog park fence with neighboring lot owner at border of properties. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch to approve Resolution 2023-34 Accepting donations to the City. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to approve Resolution 2023-35 Certifying delinquent utility billing amounts to be assessed to 2024 property taxes. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to file the 2022 Financial Audit to the State of Minnesota ahead of approval. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to pay the bills and claims. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to deny a minor subdivision request by Darik and Minde Rude to combine 2 lots in Scenic Heights and Replat 6. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Councilperson Dustin Wiebusch commended the Parks and Recreation committee for their commitment, hard work, and ideas to make the Community Market nights a success.
Motion by Hammes, second by Wiebusch to adjourn the meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Next meeting will be July 12, 2023 at 6:00 PM.
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Administrator-Clerk