April 1, 2024, Meeting Minutes

Posted: May 22, 2024

City of LeRoy MN – Council Meeting Minutes, April 1, 2024

 

A regular meeting of the LeRoy City Council was called to order by Mayor Ed Koppen on Monday, April 1, 2024, at 6:30 PM at the LeRoy Community Center with the following members present:  Mayor Ed Koppen, Council Members Harold Shipman, Brian Thiel, Ashley Huntley, Maintenance Employee Nick Sweeney, and City Clerk Patty White.  Council Member Gerald Payne was absent.
Also attending: Jim Middleton, Cole Wilcox, Deputy Katlynne Fisher, and Axel Gumbel.  All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:

  • Council reviewed the items included in the consent agenda. Motion by Shipman, second by Huntley to approve the consent agenda.  Motion carried 4-0.

Police Report:

  • Deputy Fisher reported patrol averaged 6.62 hours per day during March. There were 77 total calls; the majority of the calls were for medical reasons or traffic related.  Council thanked Deputy Fisher for the report and service.

Public Input Time:

  • No one present had anything to bring during public input time.

Standing Committee Reports:

  • Huntley reported the EMT course is continuing; she noted the new recruits are doing really well.
  • Shipman reported the trail extension between the Shooting Star Trail near Taopi to the Iowa border is still included in the bonding bill. He also reported the IronHorse Marathon will be held on Saturday, May 4.  The marathon begins here in LeRoy.  At the present time there are 54 people that have registered for the marathon coming from 23 different states.
  • Thiel reported American Waterworks did some remediation work in the Library basement. The deteriorating landscape timbers on the north and west sides of the building will be replaced with brick.  Funds for these two projects will come from the Library capital outlay fund.

State Highway 56 Project:

  • The project is slated to begin on May 6 or earlier (April 29). The cleaning up of the tree debris will be completed by either the general contractor or MnDOT.  The wood chips were left in place to fill the holes caused by the tree removal.  White reported there will be a public open house conducted by MnDOT on April 15, 2024, from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM at the LeRoy Community Center.

Housing Incentives Discussion:

  • Council reviewed the information compiled by Thiel. Thiel reported on the Harmony program; he noted their program is more unique.  He suggested using a flat rate incentive.  Thiel noted the advantages if the cash housing incentive plan were adopted.
  • Council further discussed this program. It was questioned if a change is made, if this change should be made mid-year or at the beginning of a new year.  Koppen noted he thought the consensus of the council from a previous meeting was to make a change at the beginning of a new year.
  • Shipman felt more research and discussion needs to happen prior to adopting this new plan. Council also discussed having a contractor sign off on paperwork that a certain amount of construction has taken place.  Council felt a legal opinion may be needed before making a change.

 

Lawn Mowing for 2024 Season:

  • Council reviewed two quotes that had been received for mowing the two city parks and the city cemetery. Council noted they had not requested these quotes or advertised for them.  Council noted they have not received any complaints from the current company doing the mowing.  Motion by Huntley, second by Thiel to accept the quote from Brady O’Connor, dba Blades of Glory.  Motion carried 4-0.

EDA Resignation:

  • Council reviewed the letter of resignation from Josh Diemer. Motion by Huntley, second by Shipman to accept this resignation, with regret.  Motion carried 4-0.  Council consensus to advertise for people interested in serving on the LeRoy EDA to submit a letter of interest.  Letters should be received by Tuesday, April 30, at city hall.

Land Use Permits:

  • Council reviewed two land use permits.
  1. Lot 16 and Outlot B, River’s Edge Addition, 148 Miller Court, Tim & Sharon Meyeraan-build new home
  2. Lots 13 & 14, Block 10, Caswell & Lewis, 211 E Benton, Kayla Winkels-build privacy fence and install ramp
  • Motion by Huntley, second by Thiel to approve permit #1. Motion carried 4-0.  Motion by Huntley, second by Shipman to approve permit #2.  Motion carried 4-0.

Housing Tax Abatement Public Hearing:

  • Koppen read the due call for this public hearing, “Notice is hereby given that the LeRoy City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, April 1, 2024, at 7:00 PM, at the LeRoy Community Center, 204 West Main Street, LeRoy, Minnesota, to consider a tax abatement request from the following named applicants, pursuant to Minnesota Statute 469.1813 and 116J.993 through 116J.995. The request is to abate 100% of the City of LeRoy portion of real estate taxes related to the building improvements on the subject property for a period of 5 years.”

 

Applicant                                 Property Description                            Estimated Value

                                                                                                                             To abate_______

Parsons, Kathy                         Lot 7, Block 1, Olson Addition                                    $175,000

City of LeRoy, Mower County

(PIN 26.500.0070)

 

Meyeraan, Tim and                  Lot 16, Block 1 AND Outlot B                                    $650,000

Sharon                                     River’s Edge Addition

City of LeRoy, Mower County

(PIN 26.070.0160 and .0320)

  • The hearing was opened at 7:02 PM. No one in attendance had any comments about the requested tax abatements for these new constructions.
  • Motion by Thiel, second by Shipman to pass Resolution 2024-02, a Resolution Approving Tax Abatement for Certain Property Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 469.1813. Motion carried 4-0.  Being no further business to come before this public hearing, the hearing was closed at 7:06 PM.

Communications File:

  • Koppen read the Certificate of Commendation the LeRoy WWTP and its staff was awarded in recognition of exceptional compliance with its Minnesota Pollution Control Agency NPDES/SDS wastewater permit during the 2023 review period. Sweeney and Wilcox were commended for this award.

Trailer Parking on Streets:

  • Koppen noted some bad habits are being formed with the parking of large enclosed trailers on the city streets. These trailers may be so parked to limit adequate sight distance for other vehicles traveling on the streets.  Council will continue to monitor these situations.  Jim Middleton reported he has no off-street parking at his residence.  Council took note of this situation and advised Mr. Middleton on ways to stay in compliance with city ordinances.

Community Center Lighting:

  • Thiel had compiled some information to change out the remainder of the fluorescent fixtures at the Community Center to LEDs. Motion by Thiel to issue a Request for Quote to licensed electricians to improve the overhead lighting at the Community Center by replacing fluorescent lamps with LED lamp replacements or with other possible LED products.  Second by Huntley.  Motion carried 4-0.

Cemetery Project-Seeding:

  • The tree removal has been completed. Seeding was discussed.  Council consensus to have the city staff get the seeding done.

Service Award Recognition:

  • Council recognized Sweeney & Wilcox for the MPCA award.

Vacant & Nuisance Properties:

  • White reported she had met with the new city attorney at the MCFOA conference. They discussed options for the house at 210 E Frederick.

Strong & John Street-Right of Way Infringement:

  • There was nothing to report on this.

ARPA Funds:

  • The generators have been ordered.

EDA & WWG Report:

  • Shipman reported WWG is operating in the black, but there are currently six vacancies in the facility.

Being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Shipman, second by Huntley at 7:24 PM.

 

 

____________________________________________

Edwin Koppen, Mayor

Attest:

 

_______________________________________

Patty A. White, City Clerk-Treasurer

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