The regular City Council meeting of the Mazeppa City Council was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mayor Chris Hagfors.
Pledge of allegiance was said.
Present: Mayor Chris Hagfors. Council Persons Steve Liffrig, Erica Young Mike Hammes and Jeff Nelson.
Others Present: City Attorney Luke Lamprecht, City Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang, Public Works Director Scott Ellingson, Matt Mohs and Jake Pichelmann from Bolton and Menk, John Clemens, Elizabeth Deming from Lamprecht Law, and Wabasha County Sherriff Patrol Sargent Keith Fratzke.
Attending via electronic meeting: Councilperson, Bill Freiheit, Bob Josselyn, and Holly Galbus from the News-Record.
Motion by Hammes, second by Nelson to approve the agenda and addendum. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hammes, second by Young to approve the April 14, 2021 Regular City Council meeting minutes and the May 5, 2021 Working Session minutes. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Nelson, second by Liffrig to close the regular Council meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Regular meeting closed at 6:02 PM.
Motion by Hammes, second by Nelson to open the public hearing. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Public Hearing opened at 6:03 PM.
Bolton and Menk engineers Jake Pichelmann and Matt Mohs presented information on the wastewater treatment plant. A brief history of the current facility, repair/replacement options, future needs, financing options, grants available, how payback calculations would affect future rates, and deficiencies in the underground collection system were presented and discussed.
Motion by Hammes, second by Young to close the public hearing. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Public hearing closed at 6:52 PM.
Motion by Nelson, second by Liffrig to re-open the regular Council meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Regular Council meeting re-opened at 6:53 PM.
Wabasha County Sherriff’s Patrol Sargent Keith Fratzke presented the monthly Incident Command Report. A discussion of follow-up on a nuisance property cleanup, loud ATVs.
Public Works Director Scott Ellingson gave the Public Works report.
A Fire Department written report was submitted and reviewed by Council.
Mazeppa Municipal Liquor Store update was given by City Administrator Karl Nahrgang.
City Engineering update was given by Matt Mohs of Bolton & Menk. In addition to the wastewater treatment plant project, a review of the parking issues, and possible solutions, is taking place in the area around the Mazeppa Municipal Liquor Store.
Motion by Hammes, second by Nelson to accept the Pre-Engineering Report, the amended facility plan, and to add the suggested upgrades to the underground collection system. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Nelson to pursue U.S.D.A./Rural Development funding for the wastewater treatment project. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Nelson, second by Liffrig to select alternative “E” and to update the collection system as the preferred alternative for wastewater treatment plan upgrades. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Hammes, second by Young to move forward with soil sampling and survey work. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Nelson to invite financial adviser Mike Bubany to address the council on rate structure to maximize grant funding. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Bill Freiheit expressed his opposition to proposals to widen the dead-end portion of Cherry St. and to parking on the west side of 2nd Ave. SW from Cherry to Pine St. Council has not made any decisions on extra parking and would take his concerns into account as solutions are discussed.
John Clemens expressed concerns about a shed being on an unused portion of alley and not on the owner’s property. The City will see if an agreement is in place from past Council proceedings.
Motion by Nelson, second by Young to approve building permits: MZ21-07, Jordan Andrist/Reliable Heating – A/C installation. MZ21-08, Amy Laures/K&S Heating – furnace installation. MZ21-04, Mark Helder/Brent Hagan Builders – deck/entry ramp. MZ21-06, Keith Banitt/American Steel – garage. MZ21-05, Brian & Heidi Burdick – deck. MZ20-27, Brian & Kaleigh Agrimson – deck. MZ21-09, Lois Johnson/Haley Comfort – furnace & A/C. MZ21-10, Ben Sand – window install and re-side. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Young, second by Nelson to approve Resolution 21-10 closing the intersection of Maple St. and 3rd Ave. SW on May 31, from 11:00 – 12:00 for the Memorial Day Veterans ceremony to close the regular Council meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Nelson, second by Liffrig to approve Resolution 21-11 accepting a donation from the Mazeppa Lion’s Club. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Discussion of setting up a Parks and Recreation committee. A resolution will be drafted to define the duties and membership of the committee and presented at the next meeting.
Motion by Nelson, second by Hammes to approve re-hiring Fred Liffrig as summer help for maintenance and care of the baseball fields and surrounding areas. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Motion by Nelson, second by Young to issue an outdoor dance permit for the Mazeppa Municipal Liquor Store for the customer appreciation event on May 22, 2021. Permit will require that the MMLS will attempt to set the band in a manner to minimize the travel of sound to surrounding residents, music is to cease at 12:00 AM, and a letter is sent to nearby residents regarding the event. 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 Luke Lamprecht asked if the quick plat for Roger Hofschulte had been recorded.
Councilperson Hammes pointed out a property along 1st Ave. that had an un-mowed boulevard.
Motion by Nelson, Second by Young to adjourn until June 9, 2021 at 6:00 PM for the next regular City Council meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.
Meeting recessed at 8:53 PM.