CITY OF WANAMINGO
City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, September 11, 2023 7:00 P.M.
Wanamingo City Council Chambers – 401 Main Street
Wanamingo, MN
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Holmes.
PRESENT: Council: Ryan Holmes, Eric Dierks, Jeremiah Flotterud, Rebecca Haugen, and Stuart Ohr
City Administrator: Michael Boulton
Deputy Clerk: Karen Masters
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Brad Kennedy, Beth Giese – KW Schools Superintendent, Julie Steberg-Mettille, Brandon Theobald – WHKS, Trevor Aase, and Josh McGovern – Kenyon Leader.
Mayor Holmes recognized the passing of former Mayor (1999-2000) and long-serving former Council Member (1971-1988) Robert “Bob” Benson. Mayor Holmes and the City Council extend their condolences to the Benson family.
ADOPT AGENDA: Ohr motioned to adopt the agenda, seconded by Haugen. Passed 5-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA: Dierks motioned, seconded by Flotterud. Passed 5-0-0.
PRESENTERS:
A) Beth Giese – Kenyon-Wanamingo Schools Superintendent reported on:
1) Great to be able to attend the City of Wanamingo council meeting. Glad to be hired as new School Superintendent and Principal with the Kenyon-Wanamingo School District. Started early in August and have been off and running.
2) Kenyon-Wanamingo School District is one of the best in the area
3) Kenyon-Wanamingo School District enrollment is up in the 2023-2024 school year.
4) Extended a wish to work together with the City of Wanamingo. Feel free to reach out to Giese when there are opportunities that present itself.
Holmes welcomed Giese to the Kenyon-Wanamingo School District. Holmes thanked Giese for attending the meeting and extended a willingness for the City of Wanamingo to work with Kenyon-Wanamingo School district to improve the lives of the area community.
B) Brad Kennedy reported on:
1) Swimming Pool is shut down and has been winterized for the season
2) Cut out and reset storm sewer grate at the corner of Hill Avenue and 2nd Street E
3) Various concrete curb repairs and one sidewalk replacement was completed in conjunction with past water valve and curb stop repairs by Homestead Restoration
4) Schumacher Excavating is scheduled to make additional leaking water valve repairs
5) Rochester Sand & Gravel completed asphalt patches at various locations in conjunction with past water valve repairs and other street settling. Hope to get them back to patch additional locations in October.
6) Site for new slat/sand shed has been excavated. B & N Construction has poured the concrete foundation and walls. The rafters are expected to arrive in next two weeks. Jason Bauer will assist City staff in constructing walls, rafters, and tin roof/siding.
7) Only one water meter left to replace. Once completed the City can fully switch over to new system.
8) City dump truck had a fire and staff are working on an insurance claim. It sounds like insurance will assist with repairs to wiring and other items up to $3,000. The vehicle is valued at $5,000 insurance does not wish to exceed 70% costs or else count as total loss.
9) New John Deere leased skid loader from Midwest Machinery will be delivered September 13th
Flotterud asked where Scott Meyers was at in cutting out and replacing the frog on the pay loader snow plow. Kennedy stated that Meyers was not completed, but the snow plow was at his garage building and was being work on. Ohr stated that Zumbro Valley Landscaping would be willing to give a quote for salt/sanding the streets around town if the dump truck is not able to get repaired before winter.
C) Julie Steberg-Mettille, Wanamingo Swimming Pool Manager, reported on:
1) Thanked Council support they provided Manager (Dylan Steberg) and Assistant Manager (Julie Steberg)
2) Operations were smooth in 2023. Only delay came to a pump burnt out and was switched out within an hour.
3) Swimming lessons two session had to be scheduled both in June for 2023 due to WSI teacher schedules. Attendance was great. There were no complaints.
4) There were concerns with 2024 wages. Pine Island pool wages increased significantly in 2023 and it may be hard to compete.
5) Need additional WSI (water safety instructor) staff for 2024. Only have one WSI certified staff coming back in 2024.
6) Of the 16 current swimming pool staff only 8 possibly returning.
7) The Wanamingo swimming pool was built in 1973 and opened in 1974. 2024 will be the 50th anniversary. The City should think about something to recognize the milestone.
8) Dylan Steberg will not be back as manager for 2024. Julie Steberg-Mettille would be willing to help the next manager.
Holmes thanks Julie and Dylan. The City appreciated all that they have done for many years. Giese stated that KW Schools could help allowing new lifeguards time to get out early to get certifications. In the past Giese has set up work study programs for student to get credits to get swimming pool license and WSI certification.
D) Brandon Theobald of WHKS, Reported on:
1) Will be working with Mayor, City Administrator, and Public Works director to put together effluent limits for new waste water treatment plant. The limits from four communities will determine the size and cost of the waste water treatment plant. Each community is looking at plans for future growth over the next twenty years. The City has seen 0.5%/year growth over the last twenty years. We are making assumptions of 1%/year growth over the next twenty years.
2) New downtown well house motor controls are expected to show up this winter. The project start was delayed because the well house motor controls were on back order. The demolition of the old well house and construction of the new well house is expected to take place in spring 2024.
3) WHKS is working with Minnesota Department of Health on the lead service line identification grant program award for the City of Wanamingo. WHKS will work to obtain the available funding compared to the scope of work that can be completed.
Flotterud asked if water pressure rates are where they expected to be after the new water tower went online last winter. Kennedy stated that he had not heard any concerns from residents on low water pressure. Theobald stated that the City has not seen water main breaks. Kennedy stated that there have been water valve leaks. The leaks were caused by bolts being rusted and braking out seals in valves.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION:
23-053 = Adopting 2023 4th Quarter Maintenance Work Plan: Ohr moved to approve, Seconded by Flotterud. Passed 5-0-0.
23-054 = Decertifying Tax Increment Financing (Economic Development) District NO. 3-1 Maple Island: Dierks moved to approve, Seconded by Flotterud. Passed 5-0-0.
23-055 = Authorizing Snow Removal Contract Extension: Dierks moved to approve, Seconded by Flotterud. Boulton stated that the committee had worked with Jason Raths to put together the contract extension. Jason Raths put together the details of his proposal for the proposed 2024-2026 snow removal contract. Jason Raths proposes increasing the equipment schedule to include going from $60/hour to $80/hour for tandem truck, $80/hour to $110/hour for quad truck, $105/hour to $175/hour for snow blower (new blower), $95/hour to $125/hour for payloader, and $135/hour to $150/hour for payloader and pusher. Jason also has proposed an increase from $12,500/year to $13,500/year for the guaranteed minimum. No other requested changes have taken place. Passed 5-0-0.
23-056 = Approving Lawn Mowing Contract Extension with Lunde Lawn Care: Flotterud moved to approve, Seconded by Ohr. Boulton stated that the committee had worked with Sheldon Lunde to put together the contract extension. Sheldon Lunde put together details of his proposal for the 2024-2026 lawn mowing contract. Sheldon Lunde proposes an increase from $800/week in 2023 to $850/week in 2024, $875 in 2025, and $900/week in 2026. The committee better defined monthly weed whipping and before holidays such as Memorial Day, July 4th weekend, and Labor Day. The committee also obtained a second mowing quote from Zumbro Valley Landscaping for a comparison. No other changes were requested. Zumbro Valley Landscaping provided a proposal of $1,425/week for 2024-2026 mowing seasons. Flotterud stated that JMC Property Services should be consulted for pricing when the next contract is up. Holmes stated that the contract pricing by Lunde Lawn Care is a great deal. Passed 5-0-0.
23-057 = Authorizing the Order and Purchase of New Street Department Ford F550 Utilizing State Bid Through Midway Ford Commercial Fleet and Government Sales: Ohr moved to approve, Seconded by Haugen. Holmes stated that the City still has to pay sales tax on the vehicle, which is disappointing. Kennedy stated that the truck should be here around the same time at the accessories. The plow truck should be available for use in the 2024-2025 winter season. Passed 5-0-0.
23-058 = Authorizing and Approving a 2024 Lobbyist Contract for the Proposed North Zumbro Sanitary Sewer District State Capital Request: Haugen moved to approve, Seconded by Flotterud. Holmes stated that last session was successful in securing $10 million appropriation for design work and land acquisition. Holmes stated that we need to keep going to see funding for construction because we have our foot in the door. Holmes stated that everyone had done a lot of work in securing funds from City staff and elected officials meeting legislators at the capital to the assistance of Prairie Island Indian Community. Theobald stated that it was important the City staff and elected official went to the capitol and made the case for the regional waste water treatment plant. Flotterud asked where we were at with other funding sources. Boulton stated that the predesign work had to be complete in order to apply for the PSIG (Point Source Implementation Grant). Theobald stated the PSIG is funded through the bonding bill. PSIG funding could be up to $7 million for each community. More realistic that the project gets $21 million, at most from PSIG. Theobald stated that the remaining ¼ of the project funding will be paid by the sewer rate users in the four communities. Passed 5-0-0.
23-059 = Reauthorizing Membership in the 4M Fund: Dierks moved to approve, Seconded by Flotterud. Flotterud asked what the 4M Fund rates were. Boulton stated that the 4M rates are highly competitive in the market. Boulton stated the four-hundred communities in Minnesota utilize the 4M Fund and that it would open up another investment option for the City of Wanamingo. City staff were not please with Stifel Nicolaus recommendations with the current City of Wanamingo money market account. Boulton stated that the 4M Fund would allow the City the option to shop around for the best investments. Passed 5-0-0.
ORDINANCE #203 – Defining Native Landscaping and Exempting Native Landscaping from Weeds or Grass as a Nuisance; Amending Wanamingo Code of Ordinances § 90.01 & 90.02 (D) – 1st Reading. Boulton stated that the legislature amended the State Statutes this past session to preempt local governments from not allowing native landscaping. Boulton said he and the City attorney had drafted the ordinance based upon the language from the legislative bill. Boulton recommended that the Council adopt changes to the code of ordinances so that the Council has teeth to enforce noxious weeds removal where native landscaping is present. Holmes stated that if native landscaping were in place, he wishes to see it well maintained and not full of noxious weeds.
OLD BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION:
23-050 = Approving Fire Department By-Laws Updates: Boulton stated that the Fire Department By-Laws committee met before the City Council meeting. The committee reviewed the proposed changes to the amendments section of the By-Laws. The committee still has concerns with the language allowing the City Council to initiate the amendment process. Boulton stated that he would work with the committee to revise the language to make it amenable to the committee. Haugen moved to Table until the October City Council meeting, Seconded by Flotterud. Passed 5-0-0.
*Next City Council meeting on 10/16/2023
Adjourn: At 7:54 PM a motion to adjourn was made by Ohr and seconded by Flotterud. Passed 5-0-0.
Signed: Attest:
_____________________ ____________________________________
Ryan Holmes, Mayor Michael Boulton, City Administrator
