Regular Council Meeting

New Richland City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 10th, 2023 Members Present Staff Present Others Present Chad Neitzel Anthony Martens-Administrator Gail Schmidt Larry Muff Loren Skelton Sara Jo Vulcan-Assistant City Clerk Dawn Halgren Stacy Bethke Jody Wynnemer Sara Sundve-Ambulance Director Barb Finseth Larry Goehring Janda Ferguson Bob Battenfeld Eleanor Schlaak Jason Casey Kris Pfeffer e-Brenda Routh Members Absent The meeting was called to order by Mayor Chad Neitzel at 6:30 p.m. Roll Call - All members present Pledge of Allegiance Approval of Agenda • Administrator Martens requested the following changes to the agenda: o Remove: Consent Agenda Items #2 and #3 o Add: Requests and Presentations Item #3 Larry Muff – Watershed information o Add: New Business Item #4: Community Cleanup Charges • Motion made by Loren Skelton and seconded by Jody Wynnemer to approve the agenda with the changes. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) Consent Agenda • Motion made by Jody Wynnemer and seconded by Jason Casey to approve the consent agenda. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) Public Comments • None Requests and Presentations 1. Gail Schmidt – HRA o Schmidt addressed the council regarding water/drainage issues, street and tree issues that the HRA is having and requested any city assistance available. o The HRA is having their 50th Anniversary this year, September 10th, 2023 2. Barb Finseth – Town & Country Garden Club o Finseth provided information about the Town & Country Garden Clubs work in the community and their expectations from the City of New Richland regarding compensation for their work beautifying the city. o Finseth shared that the city in the past has donated funds to the Town & Country Garden club, but they have not received the donation in last couple of years. Finseth provided an invoice for 2022 flower purchases the garden club made in the amount of $409.72. o Administrator Martens advised the council that during the transition through 3 city administrators, the budget never accounted for the donation and that the club never requested the funds so that it was never put into the last couple of budgets. The city has budgeted $1,000 for landscaping for 2023 which would include costs for flowers that the Garden Club would incur.  New Richland City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 10th, 2023 Requests and Presentation (continued) 2. Barb Finseth – Town & Country Garden Club (continued) o Motion made by Jason Casey and seconded by Loren Skelton to check with the auditors and see if we can still pay for the flowers out of the 2022 budget and to approve the garden club to spend up to $450 on flowers for the city to be paid for out of the landscape budget. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) 3. Larry Muff – Watershed Information o Muff presented information regarding the most recent watershed meeting and his disappointment with the process and the lack of New Richland specific identified projects. He urged the council to contract for a study of our own to continue working on the flooding issues in town. Ordinances and Resolutions (see attached) • None Reports 1. Ambulance Report – Sarah Sundve, Ambulance Director • Ambulance report was presented by Ambulance Director Sundve • Motion was made by Jason Casey and seconded by Loren Skelton to approve the updated policy manual language. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) • Motion was made by Loren Skelton and seconded by Janda Ferguson to appoint Joshua Babcock as a first responder for the ambulance department. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) • Motion was made by Jody Wynnemer and seconded by Loren Skelton to approve the Ambulance Department report. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) 2. Fire Department Report – In Writing • Fire Department report was presented in writing by Chief Moen • Motion was made by Jason Casey and seconded by Loren Skelton to approve the purchase of new rescue tools in the amount of $36,445 out of donated funds. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) • Motion made by Jason Casey and seconded by Janda Ferguson to approve the Fire Department report. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) 3. Police Department Report – In Writing • Police Department report was presented in writing by Chief Bruegger. • Motion was made by Jody Wynnemer and seconded by Loren Skelton to approve listing the old squad on MN Bid. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) • Motion made by Jody Wynnemer and seconded by Jason Casey to approve the Police Department report. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) Unfinished Business 1. Keeping of Chickens in town o Motion made by Jason Casey to allow the keeping of chickens in town. Motion died due to lack of a second. No further action taken.  New Richland City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 10th, 2023 New Business 1. Bio-Solid Hauling – WWTP a. Motion made by Loren Skelton and seconded by Jason Casey to approve contracting hauling of bio-solids with Holland’s at a cost of approximately $3,500. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) b. Motion made by Jason Casey and seconded by Jody Wynnemer to approve the replacement of the remaining bypass valves at a cost of approximately $6,000 Carried (4 yes, 0 no) 2. Authorize Sealed bids for Old Council Chamber Furniture a. Motion made by Loren Skelton and seconded by Jason Casey to approve advertising council chamber furniture via sealed bid as presented. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) 3. Approved Sidewalk Repairs a. Motion made by Jason Casey and seconded by Janda Ferguson to approve sidewalk repairs in the amount of $1,307.50. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) 4. Community Cleanup Charges a. Motion made by Loren Skelton and seconded by Janda Ferguson to approve the increase in community cleanup fees as presented. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) Miscellaneous • None Administrators Report • Administrator Martens provided a report to the council on tasks completed since last meeting. • Motion was made by Jody Wynnemer and seconded by Janda Ferguson to approve the administrators report. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) Mayor/Council Comments • Council Person Wynnemer advised the council that the EDA and Lloyd Management will be doing inspections on the town homes either on the 3rd or 10th of May. Closed Meeting At 8:04 pm Mayor Chad Neitzel closed the City Council meeting pursuant to MN Statute section 13D.03 to discuss the City’s labor negotiations related toe the LELS Local #407 Police Officers Union Contract. Meeting Reopened At 8:09 pm Mayor Chad Neitzel re-opened the City Council meeting. Adjournment – Motion for adjournment made by Jody Wynnemer and seconded by Loren Skelton. Carried (4 yes, 0 no) 8:09 p.m. Submitted by, Anthony Martens City Administrator