City Council Meeting

Holdingford City Council Meeting Minutes Monday June 13, 2022 The Holdingford City Council meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Mayor Sue Marstein, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Present at City Hall Susan Marstein, Eric Berscheid, Mike Odden, Jayme Opatz, Seth Young, Herman Lensing, David Yurczyk, Aubrey Neuman. Mike Odden made the motion to approve the consent agenda to include the May 9th Meeting Minutes, Special Meeting Minutes of May 25th and Special Meeting Minutes of May 31st; submitted monthly claims, contract hours, and financial reports. Jayme Opatz seconded the motion. All in favor. Department Reports Liquor Store report was reviewed. The work on the loading dock will be done before Holdingford Daze. Eric Berscheid made a motion to increase the startup change for Holdingford Daze as previous years, 2nd made by Mike Odden. All in favor. A new bartender was hired. Due to heavy rains the basement at the Muni became damp and musty. A dehumidifier was purchased, plans on doing clean-up of the old clutter in the basement was discussed. Fire Department report, there has been a total of 42 Medical, 2 motor vehicle accidents, 5 Hazard, 3 structure fire, 1 vehicle fire, 1 misc. fire and 1 severe weather. 27 in City of Holdingford, 20 Holding Twp, 3 Brockway Twp, 3 Krain Twp, 2 Elmdale Twp. Gambling for the Relief Association, has been going really well. The Relief Association donated $4000.00 to the City, for the payment of hose reel and hose rack. The Relief Association yearly Audit is completed. This past month the Fire Department completed training with a house burn in Upsala. Currently looking into new overhead doors. Maintenance report was reviewed. We are waiting on Traut Wells to have time to discuss well #3. During the heavy rain storms, we had several weeks ago, the water in the river rose quite high. One house was flooded, four others were damaged due to sewer back-ups. MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency) was notified and reports completed. Hydrant flushing was completed. Crack sealing city streets, is 1/3 completed. New chemical scales and spill containment bins are in the well house addition, and were put into operation. Emergency Manager, Amber Molitor kept tabs on the rising waters, during the flooding, extra help and sand bags were brought in. Local townships and cities have all reported damage costs to FEMA. Guests: Aubrey Newman, owner of the house that was flooded, voiced her concerns on being homeless right now, due to the condition of her house. We are waiting for state and federal decisions to be made about reimbursements. Dave Yurczyk, Holding Township Supervisor, attended the city council meeting. To follow-up, Mayor Marstein visit the Holding Township meeting, to hear about 4th Street, the road that runs past the Art In Motion building. At this time, the City is looking into lines, to determine where the township road starts. The road and the culvert need maintenance and responsibility of costs involve was discussed, no decision was made. Unfinished Business: We have hired a Deputy Clerk, she will be starting on Monday, June 27, 2022. The City Hall Office has been closed during the search for Deputy Clerk and Clerk Treasure. Mayor Marstein and others have been fielding phone calls, answering messages, and emails. Utility bills are being sent out as normal, payments can be done on-line, at Stearns Bank, or left in the drop box. A financial service has been hired, making sure all financial reports and payrolls are being met. A second interview will be scheduled for a candidate for Clerk Treasurer. Doors will be open soon. Berkon Outdoors has started their new addition. The Tax Abatement administrative cost and any other cost will be taken care of by Berkon. Councilperson Seth Young will be working on getting the Holdingford Welcome signs refurbished and back up. New Business: Eric Berscheid made a motion to accept Liquor Licenses for renewals; Redneck Roost, American Legion, and BOHO Café. All bars have filled out the necessary forms, and have been signed off of by Stearns County Sheriff. Seth Young seconded AIF. Eric Berscheid made a motion to approve resolution 22-06-13-1 Road Closure for Holdingford Daze Events Jayme Opatz seconded the motion. All in favor. Jayme Opatz made a motion to approve resolution 22-06-13-2 for Helping Hands Bingo for Holdingford Daze, second by Mike Odden. All in favor. Lead Bartender, Candace Hamilton was given a favorable 6-month evaluation, she will be moved from F0 to F1, motion made by Sue Marstein, seconded by Jayme Opatz. All in favor. Council approved the request to budget $525.00 for 2023 to the Initiative Foundation, motion by Mike Odden, seconded by Sue Marstein All in favor. From the MN State Demographic’s 2021 Population and Household Estimates, Holdingford population is 745 people and 317 households. Jayme Opatz made the motion for the approval of 2022 judges for the election seasons: Head Judges: Audrey Lange, Sandra Meer, and Lynne Nienaber. Election Judges: Amber Baerg, Diane Konsor, Karen Larsen, Kathy O’Hara, and Linda Zapzalka; second my Mike Odden. All in favor. The council did not have all the information and insurance for approving the temporary liquor license for the Holdingford Daze Softball Tournament sponsored by the Holdingford Wrestlers so no decision was made. No Land Use Permits. Admin Reports: Mayor/Council Discussion Notes: There are items at city hall that need to be taken care of: A leaking roof in the dining hall; the front entrance block pillars are deteriorating; the parking lot needs redoing. Homes with sump pumps are asked to pump water the outside, and not into the sewer system. Residents are asked to take care of their yards, long grass and yard clutter brings in raccoons and other wildlife. Letters will be sent out to these residents. The audit is still in progress. Street sweeping will need to be done with roads that have a buildup of sand due to heavy rains. Jayme Opatz made a motion to adjourn second by Mike Odden. All in favor. Respectfully Submitted: Sue Marstein Mayor Announcements: Holdingford Daze Celebration July 8-10 Next council meeting Monday July 11th City Hall open Monday – Friday 8-12 pm