Public Notices January 13

Winthrop City Council Regular Minutes Monday, December 7th, 2020 A regular meeting of the Winthrop City Council was called to order by Mayor Kelly Pierson at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 7th at the City Hall. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL: Council members: Kelly Pierson, Pete Machaiek, Julie Trebelhorn, Dale Malheim, Rob Edwards and Lynn Drinkall, City Staff present: City Administrator Jenny Palmer, Utilities/Public Works Supervisor Troy Martin, Ed Stoll Ambulance Captain, Justin Alderman, Walton Law Group. Audience: Mike Mattison (Winthrop News), Steve Saxton, Megan Schmidt OPEN PUBLIC FORUM No one spoke APPROVAL OF AGENDA Machaiek added item k. lights. Edwards added item l. thank you. Motion Malheim, second Drinkall to approve the agenda as amended. Passed voice vote. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Motion Trebelhorn, second Malheim. Passed voice vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. 2021 FY Budget Truth in Taxation Hearing Mayor Pierson opened the Truth in Taxation hearing at 7:02 pm and opened up the hearing to anyone who wishes to speak. After hearing no one, Mayor Pierson closed the hearing at 7:03 pm. NEW BUSINESS a. Sledding Hill Lease (A)— Included in the agenda packet was a lease form that was written by Attorney Walton and approved by the leassor, Steve Saxton. Motion Edwards, second Malheim to approve the lease agreement. Passed voice vote. The Winthrop City Council thanks Steve Saxton for the land to have a public sledding hill. b. Sledding Hill Signs (A)— Included in the packed is a sign with the hill name “Conklin’s Hill” and rules to abide by when using the hill. Council also feels there should be “No Snowmobiling” signs put up. Motion Edwards, second Drinkall to approve the signs and the addition of installing “no snowmobiling” signs. Passed voice vote. c. R2020-29 Resolution Adopting the Final 2021 Budget (A)—Mayor Pierson asked if there was any more discussion on the final budget. There were no further recommended adjustments. Motion Trebelhorn, second Malheim to approve R2020-29. Passed voice vote. Edwards and Machaiek against. d. 2021 Liquor License On & Off Sale (A)—Palmer brought up the cost of on sale/Sunday liquor licenses and the fact that the bars may not be open starting January 1. The current on-sale licenses are $2,000 annually and off sale is $100. Palmer suggested they pay month to month and only pay for the months they are allowed to serve on sale. Edwards would like to see the fee forgiven for 2021, or if we are required to charge that we only charge $1. Attorney Alderman will check on the legal requirements on whether the city needs to charge a fee. Motion Edwards second Malheim to approve the on and off sale licenses for 2021, charging $100 for off sale and depending on legal requirements charging either $0 or $1 for on sale/Sunday liquor. Passed voice vote. e. Changes to the Organization Structure of the Winthrop Fire Department (A)—Chief TenEyck proposed the enclosed language to reduce the number of officers in the Fire Department. Motion Edwards, second Malheim to approve the changes. Passed voice vote. f. R2020-27 Resolution Issuing 2020C Refunding Bonds (the Lodge) (A)—This resolution will approve the bond sale to refund the Lodge of Winthrop Bonds. Motion Trebelhorn, second Edwards, passed voice vote. Malheim against. g. Hiring Officer Erick Cruckson (A)—Paul Kalow has finished his background check on Erick Cruckson. Chief Johnson would like to hire him contingent on his passing the physical and psychological evaluation. This will hopefully be done in the next few week. Motion Edwards, second Trebelhorn, passed voice vote. Malheim against. h. R2020-28 Scott Trebelhorn Land Donation (A)—Scott Trebelhorn would like to donate a parcel of land located at 21 N. Renville to the City of Winthrop, pending the transaction can be done by the end of the year. There are some details to work out yet but council can approve donation contingent on working out the details. Motion Malheim, second Drinkall to accept donation, passed voice vote. Trebelhorn abstained. i. Increase 2021 Ambulance pay rates (A)—This item was presented to the council in September and referred to the committee for review. The committee met in November and recommends approval. Motion Trebelhorn, second Edwards, passed voice vote. Malheim abstained. j. New Pump for Main Lift Station (A)—Public Works Director Martin informed the council that over Thanksgiving weekend the pump went out in the main lift station. The pump was put in back in 2001 and has been rebuilt twice since then. The quote from Minnesota Pump Works for a new pump is $28,577.44. There is sufficient funds in reserves for this purchase. Motion Malheim, second Edwards, passed voice vote. k. Lights (I)—Councilor Machaiek brought up some street lights out around town, one in front of Hahn’s Dining, some out on CSAH 33 and there are some Christmas decorations out. There was some discussion on Christmas light replacements. Mayor Pierson directed Palmer to get a committee together of the Park Committee and maybe some community members to start looking at Christmas decorations for next year. l. Thank You (A)—The Council would like to thank Lynn Drinkall for her service over the last year on the Winthrop City Council. Thank you Lynn! UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. None REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES a. ADMINISTRATOR/EDA REPORT—Palmer reported that she has been working on the budget, elections, day to day operations. Also, finished final CARES report, utility budgets, MMPA and MMUA meetings, certified assessments for 2020A, paperwork for 2020B & 2020C bond refinances, ambulance billings, attended Gibbon council meeting, advertising for 2 Planning Commission and 1 EDA board member. Spent 12 hours on EDA tasks, mostly bookwork, still no word on filling the Back Door Hairstyling building. e. ELECTRIC DEPARMENT REPORT—MMPA Summary. Also Machaiek gave an update on the MMPA meeting. g. AMBULANCE REPORT—Captain Stoll said that Jesse Gran passed his test and McKenzie Klehr is working through the online course. They are still looking for volunteers to fill the roster. j. RS FIBER REPORT—Julie Trebelhorn said they met and approved the bond refinance, they are continuing to grow customers at a good pace, Renville County gave $170,000 in CARES money to put up 7 air towers in the rural parts of the county. This should add additional customer base. k. CABLE COMMISSION—Councilor Malheim provided an update from the Cable Commission meeting they are continuing to work on the budget and trying to keep Arlington in the commission. MISCELLANEOUS Mayor Pierson thanked all of the Emergency personnel and city staff for their hard work throughout this difficult time. ADJOURNMENT Motion Malheim, second Trebelhorn to adjourn. Passed voice vote. Meeting was adjourned at 7:42pm. Jenny Palmer, Administrator 15c