Council Minutes, December 6, 2021

Posted: December 6, 2021

City of LeRoy MN – Council Meeting Minutes, December 6, 2021

A regular meeting of the LeRoy City Council was called to order by Mayor Ed Koppen on Monday, December 6, 2021, at 6:30 PM at the LeRoy Community Center with the following members present: Mayor Ed Koppen, Council Members Ashley Huntley, Harold Shipman, Gerald Payne, Brian Thiel, Maintenance Employee Nick Sweeney, and City Clerk Patty White.
Also attending: Axel Gumbel, Don & Alice Darland, Brian Gunsallus, and Deputy Sawyer Weiss.  All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Truth in Taxation Hearing:

  • Koppen read the due call for the Truth in Taxation hearing and opened the hearing at 6:33 PM. Koppen noted the proposed levy was increased from $500,000 to $575,000. Koppen updated those present on the basis of the budget and the levy. He noted that previous councils have been very prudent in monitoring the budget and levy. He noted the seated council is trying to be proactive and account for inflation by increasing the preliminary levy. Koppen noted the proposed tax increases he has seen are more attributed to increases in property values than the increase in the proposed levy. Alice Darland questioned what is all entailed in the clerk’s portion of the proposed budget. White responded. Darland also questioned about the EDA portion and why that was lowered. White explained the council had appropriated funds to the EDA for LeRoy City Lines; with the discontinuation of LeRoy City Lines, this appropriation was no longer needed.  Brian Gunsallus questioned about the difference in the street budget from 2021 to 2022.  White explained these changes. Mrs. Darland posed questions about the wellhouse and the wellhouse controls. Sweeney updated Mrs. Darland on these items. Being no further discussion from those present, the hearing was closed at 6:44 PM.

Consent Agenda:

  • Council reviewed the items included in the consent agenda. Motion by Payne, second by Shipman to approve the consent agenda.  Motion carried 5-0.

Police Report:

  • Deputy Weiss reported 36 total calls for November. He reviewed the calls; Council noted there was quite a wide range of calls in November. Deputy Weiss noted he will be taking a new position within the Mower County Sheriff’s department and will no longer by the LeRoy assigned deputy. Council thanked Deputy Weiss for his time serving here in LeRoy and for his report.

Public Input Time:

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

Standing Committee Reports:

  • Huntley reported the LeRoy Area Ambulance Service is nearing 200 calls for 2021. She noted the annual Cookie Walk was held this past Saturday; donations of close to $3,300 were received.
  • Koppen noted he requested two items be added to the agenda. These items are Wildwood Grove-Long Term Management and Deputy City Clerk. Thiel noted that a deputy city clerk is a statutory title; he noted that the salary schedule includes a title for a city administrative assistant position. Koppen noted he is willing to make the statement that Wildwood Grove will remain a city asset and under city control. Koppen questioned how the EDA and WWG can work together to better run WWG. Payne noted the EDA owns WWG; the city guarantees the bond payments. Payne reported the EDA is working on different ideas for the operation of WWG. He noted the EDA has considered sending out RFPs to see if a company would want to come and fully manage WWG; he noted that Comfort Health is not interested in managing the facility. Payne reported that three members of the EDA meet roughly every other week to monitor WWG. Thiel questioned if creative options are being looked at to best operate the facility. Koppen commended Payne for this report; Koppen also noted the time it takes these volunteer board members to monitor the operations at WWG. Payne would like to see WWG continue to improve and stand on its own. Payne noted EDA president Sara Gerk deserves a big thank you for all she is doing for the EDA and WWG.

State Highway 56 Project:

  • There was nothing new to report on this project.

Parks:

  • Koppen noted he wants this item kept on the agenda.

2022 Budget & Final Levy Adoption:

  • Being no further discussion on the proposed 2022 budget, a motion was made by Shipman and seconded by Thiel to adopt the proposed 2022 budget. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Huntley, second by Shipman to pass Resolution 2021-12, a resolution adopting the final levy at $575,000. Motion carried 5-0.

Resolution Accepting Supplemental ARPA Funds:

  • White reported the city received $1,614.79 in additional ARPA funds. These funds were from cities that did not accept any ARPA funds; these funds were then redistributed to cities. Motion by Huntley to pass Resolution 2021-13, a resolution accepting these additional ARPA funds. Second by Payne.  Motion carried 5-0.

2022 Liquor Licenses:

  • Council reviewed the list of liquor licenses for 2022. Motion by Shipman, second by Huntley to approve these liquor licenses.  Motion carried 5-0.

2022 Pay Package:

  • Council reviewed the proposed pay package as was discussed at the August 2, 2021, city council meeting. Council discussed where part-time maintenance worker Randy McCloud would be classified on the pay schedule. It was noted Mr. McCloud would be classified as maintenance worker 1. Motion by Huntley, second by Payne to approve the 2022 pay package. Motion carried 5-0.

Land Use Permits:

  • Council reviewed one land use permit:
  1. E 25’ Lot 21, Lot 22, & W 15’ Lot 23, Block 1, Original Village, 213 E Luella, Paul Apenhorst-install a fence
  • Motion by Huntley, second by Shipman to approve said permit. Motion carried 5-0.

Communications File:

  • Koppen commended Axel Gumbel for the ‘Letter to the Editor’ that Mr. Gumbel had written. Koppen noted he would like to see a statement from the council encouraging residents to take down any political signs, for the Christmas decorations to go up, and to promote goodwill to all. He felt this could reinforce the goodwill the football team has brought to this community. Huntley questioned how the council can make a statement asking people to remove their political signs. Koppen noted the statement would be made, but there would be no enforcement action. Thiel made the following statement, “Let’s just be an all-American small town that celebrates the season. Let’s minimize all other issues, and let that be our focus for the month.” Council unanimous consensus to approve this statement.
  • White noted the city council needs to designate the polling place on an annual basis. Motion by Payne, second by Shipman to pass Resolution 2021-14, a resolution designating polling places for the 2022 elections.  Motion carried 5-0.
  • Council reviewed a letter from SEMA noting that this business has been sold effective 12/31/21. Council also reviewed letters from Mediacom and Metronet pertaining to rate increases. Council reviewed a letter requesting the city to become a member of the Minnesota Association of Small Cities. It was the consensus of the council to not join this organization.

Street Project for 2022:

  • Sweeney reported he has not received a proposal yet for a project for 2022. Koppen reminded council that sewer main video should be reviewed prior to doing a mill and overlay on the city streets.

Strong & John Street-Right of Way Infringement:

  • Koppen noted he wants this item left on the agenda for when this project is started and brought to completion.

Resolution Assessing Unpaid Water Charges:

  • Motion by Huntley to pass resolution 2021-15, a resolution assessing unpaid water/sewer charges. Second by Shipman. Motion carried 5-0.

Huntley left the meeting at 7:25 PM.

Security Cameras Update:

  • There was nothing new to report on security cameras.

Service Award Recognition:

  • Koppen recognized the L-O 9-Man Football state champions, noting the true sportsmanship shown by the team members and the coaching staff. Koppen also recognized Dane Schumann for the sportsmanship award he received. Sweeney, on behalf of the football coaching staff, thanked the entire community for their support, for the buses, noting this was an entire community effort. Gumbel called out the very generous business community for providing funds for the buses, funds for food for the team, and funds for the practice facilities for the team.

Nuisance Properties:

  • Council noted some headway is being made on some of these properties. Koppen updated council on the offer the city made to Jay Hardecopf for his properties. Hardecopf told Koppen that he has received an offer from another person. Council will continue to monitor this.

North Speed Limit Sign:

  • Sweeney is waiting to be able to use Miller Grain telehandler to get the sign installed.

ARPA Funds:

  • Sweeney reported he is gathering information on generators.

Being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Shipman, second by Payne at 7:41 PM.

– Ed Koppen, Mayor

– Patty A. White, City Clerk-Treasurer

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