MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HALLOCK CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE HALLOCK CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Dave Treumer called the regular meeting of the Hallock City Council to order at 5:35 pm on August 2, 2021. Those Present: Mayor Dave Treumer, Mike Totleben, Naomi Larson and Jen Peterson. Councilor Kevin Waller was absent.
Also present: City Clerk-Administrator Aimee Sugden, Maintenance Supervisor Dan Larson, Summer Recreation Coach Nick Johnson, Northwest Regional Library Executive Director Jim Trojanowski, Ericka Beito from Houston Engineering, Don Schuler from Ottertail Power Company and Kittson County Enterprise Reporter Anna Jauhola.
APPROVE AGENDA:
Councilor Totleben motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilor Peterson and carried unanimously.
SPECIAL REPORT; JIM TROJANOWSKI, NORTHWEST REGIONAL LIBRARY
Jim Trojanowski, Executive Director for the Northwest Regional Library system presented a request to the council to increase funding for the 2022 fiscal year by 1%. The 1% increase will raise annual funding to $15,453.
Motion by Councilor Totleben to approve a 1% increase to funding for the Northwest Regional Library System for the 2022 fiscal year. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
SPECIAL REPORT; ERICKA BEITO, HOUSTON ENGINEERING
Ericka Beito of Houston Engineering presented an update on the dam project to the council. Final walk-throughs have been completed with the city, golf course and DNR. Following the walk-through, a few items have been added to the final punch-list and completed.
Mayor Treumer raised a question about the current invoice from Houston Engineering. Administrator Sugden said she would follow up with Jeff Langan.
SPECIAL REPORT; DON SCHULER, OTTERTAIL POWER COMPANY
Don Schuler of Ottertail Power Company presented at the meeting, a recap of a meeting between himself, other Ottertail professionals and Administrator Sugden. Ottertail has a program to take over the city street lights at a monthly rate. This is an option for replacing and updating infrastructure when the Highway 75/175 project commences.
SPECIAL REPORT; NICK JOHNSON, SUMMER RECREATION COACH
Summer Recreation Coach, Nick Johnson, asked the council if he, with assistance from Johnson Oil Co. and an area farmer, can purchase baseball field-grade dirt to update and improve the baseball field at Gilbert Olson Park. Johnson reached out for quotes and arranged a truck to haul. The cost for dirt is $22/ton (hauled) and he anticipates the materials totaling $550.
Motion by Councilor Totleben to purchase dirt and pay Johnson for his time. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilor Peterson moved to approve the minutes of the regular Hallock City Council Meeting on July 12, 2021 with a correction of Anna Jauhola’s name. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
FISCAL & ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES:
Approval of Bills
Mayor Treumer and Councilor Totleben reviewed bills.
Motion by Councilor Totleben to authorize payment of City bills in the amount of $132,521.53, General fund, checks #12119 to #12151, which includes a transfer of $28,000 to the payroll account to cover wages, taxes and benefits. The motion was seconded by Councilor Peterson and carried unanimously.
Mayor Treumer and Councilor Totleben will review bills for the September 2021 meeting.
Budget to Actual Report
Administrator Sugden presented the council with a ‘Budget to Actual’ report for the month of July 2021.
Utility & Parks Department Report:
Utility Superintendent Dan Larson presented an analysis by TeamLabs on the status of the sludge in the city’s holding ponds. The analysis presented good levels of sludge in both ponds. Larson recommended bringing the sludge level down in pond #2. Larson has been in contact with Horizon Pool Supply about potentially getting a new pool pump to replace the one installed last year as we believe we received a lemon.
Administrator Sugden and Superintendent Larson worked with Aquatic Design Solutions (ADS) to get an estimate for a plan for repairs to the baby pool. The estimate for the plan totals $4,900 and the team at ADS is available to get started on the plan right away. Sugden noted that she and Larson talked about a timeline for completion of the project and, pending part and material availability, they agreed to set a deadline of September 30, 2021.
Motion by Councilor Totleben to approve the estimate of $4,900 by Aquatic Design Solutions for baby pool design. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carries unanimously.
New Business:
MNDOT Request for Temporary Easements
Administrator Sugden presented three requests for temporary easements from MNDOT for projects on Highway 75 & 175. The council chose not to take any action on the easements.
Resolution 2021-07; Authorization to Execute Minnesota Department of Transportation Grant Agreement for Airport Improvement Excluding Land Acquisition
Motion by Councilor Peterson to approve Resolution 2021-07, executing state project number 3501-40. The motion was seconded by Councilor Totleben and carried unanimously.
Resolution 2021-08; Authorization to Execute Minnesota Department of Transportation Grant Agreement for Airport Improvement Excluding Land Acquisition
Motion by Councilor Totleben to approve Resolution 2021-08, executing state project number 3501-41. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
Resolution 2021-09; Adopting the Minnesota General Records Retention Schedule
Motion by Councilor Peterson to approve Resolution 2021-09, adopting the MN General Records Retention Schedule. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
Zoning Permit 2021-12; KMHC Nursing Home
Motion by Councilor Larson to approve Zoning Permit 2021-12, construction of a patio. The motion was seconded by Councilor Peterson and carried unanimously.
Zoning Permit 2021-13; Hallock Arena Association
Motion by Councilor Peterson to approve Zoning Permit 2021-13, construction of an addition. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
Other Business/Announcements
Upcoming Meetings
The next council meeting will be on Monday, September 13, 2021 @ 5:30 p.m. This meeting will also be the annual budget meeting.
Pesticide Pickup at Nutrien; August 5, 2021
The Learning Tree 1-Year Anniversary Family Night; Wednesday, August 18
Rib Fest; Saturday, August 28
Offices Closed (Labor Day); Monday, September 6
Council Roundtable & Public Comment
None
Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilor Peterson moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Hallock City Council on August 2, 2021. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Dave Treumer, Mayor
Aimee Sugden, City Administrator
Minutes prepared by Aimee Sugden
(September 22, 2021)
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