Public Notices September 6

City of Winthrop
City Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 24th, 2023
A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Winthrop will be called to order at 7 p.m. on July 24, 2023, in the city council chambers of the City Hall, for the purpose of conducting city business.
Councilors Present: Mayor Edwards, Councilors Trebelhorn, Schmidt, O’Connor, Wickenhauser, Machaiek
Councilors Absent: None
Staff: City Administrator Michael Looft, City Clerk Heather Haun,
I. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Pledge of Allegiance.
II. OPEN PUBLIC FORUM
Mayor Edwards described the open public forum and asked if anyone would like to speak.
Representatives from Lotus Pharmacy wants to share their sadness for the local business closing. The were contacted by the Lodge of Winthrop asking about the pharmacy services. The have received a community grant for age friendly members. We are forming a public private partnership with the City of Winthrop.
Allen Bartels and Ben Matske here as part of God’s Treasures a part of Zion Church. Gathering information about taking over the former nursing home and turning it into a daycare center.
Loretta Stutsman – feels sad that we are losing our grocery store. Loretta doesn’t understand that we couldn’t save the store and she blames the City and other boards for not keeping it going.
Carrie Atkins, Suray Grace – came for a couple different issues. Daughter has a bad accident on her bike yesterday. Bike came up and landed on her. She asked about maintenance to the roads. Also, would like to talk about the electric bills and how high they are in the area. Carrie is wondering about electric panels or windmills to being down the costs. Machaiek, our bills are about 15 -20 % lower less than Xcel and Brown County REA.
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Group from the city park isn’t going to come tonight per Looft.
Motion made by to establish the amended agenda Machaiek, seconded by O’Connor. Motion carried.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
4.1 Approval of Minutes: May 22, 2023
4.2 Approval of Unaudited Financial Results June 26 – July 23, 2023
Motion made by Wickenhauser to approve minutes and unaudited financials, seconded by Trebelhorn. Schmidt abstained. Motion carried.
V. NEW BUSINESS
5.1 Update on Vacant Parking Spots on Main and 3rd Street (A)
On 07/17/2023 Public Works vacated three parking spots south of 3rd Street on Main Street as directed by City Council. Chief Anderson believes this has fixed some of, but not all, the line-of-sight issues trying to cross Main Street on 3rd. One resident does have an ADA request submitted, Peter Schuckert, to have one
of the parking locations turned permanently into a handicapped parking spot. This will go through Planning and Zoning on August 28th.
Motion made by Trebelhorn to keep cones until August 28, seconded by O’Conner.
Schmidt asked for clarification on the handicapped parking spot. Motion carried.
5.2 Community Request for New Park Amenities (I)
Community members would like to encourage council to think about new amenities in the city park. Looft gave an update stating there is a voice in the community rallying others to get some new park equipment for the South Park and also looking into a splash pad. Trebelhorn asked about the water reuse part of it compared to years ago when it was visited. Schmidt asked that the park plan be followed and make sure we aren’t going “willy nilly” with all of the additional things for the park.
5.3 Purchase of a used K9 Police Vehicle from Gaylord, MN (A)
The Gaylord City Council has approved to sell the City of Winthrop a used K9
unit. The unit is a 2016 Ford Interceptor with less than 40,000 miles used. The agreed purchase price is $25,000 and purchased as is condition. Currently the K9
Program raised over $32,500 in donations. Purchasing a used vehicle will certainly help move the program along. The donations noted are already received.$78,000 for a brand new 2022 dodge Durango with the K9 equipment. Schmidt asked about the cost of marking the car.
Motion made by Oconner to purchase the Gaylord Squad, seconded by Dawn. Motion carried.
VI. REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
Police – There are some extensive investigations on going for about the next 6 months. This does not hinder the day-to-day patrolling or response to calls. Today was the first training in the new building for defensive tactics. Planning to look into an open house later in the year. The summer help is helping with the painting and the graphics on the building.
Administrator – Thursday MPCA the 5 year inspection is coming. We are cleaning our water towers. We are working on the budget and plan to have it for the next meeting. Working with childcare grants and survey. Pumpworks, the main pump went out and they think it was struck by lightning. Making claim there is a rental now. The memorial park area has a lot of progress on improvements! The garden went in today, there are no wood chips yet but they are coming. Public works has schedule some resurfacing, we will announce on Facebook and our website. The EDA has a special meeting on Wednesday at 7 AM to talk about Winthrop Market and approved a façade grants for 2024. The cannabis bill we are still getting guidance from the League of MN cities regarding it yet.
Electrical – Machaiek they are looking for 40 acres of land yet to build another solar farm. This doesn’t have to be in the city. Tomorrow is the annual MMPA event. Looft helped explain the 13 groups that belong to MMPA.
Cable Commission – Had a meeting last month, they approved to pay the Owl system. They were looking at doing the grants again once a year.
Library – met last week, recapped what they did in the park. They have been planning the fall events and they have received 3 applications for the job opening.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 PM by Dawn, seconded by Jenny. Motion to adjourn carried.
Michael Looft,
City Administrator

STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF SIB LEY
DISTRICT COURT
FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Probation Division
Court File No. 72-PR-23-48
In Re: Estate of
Debra Marie Finnson,
Deceased
NOTICE AND ORDER FOR HEARING ON
PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDUCATION OF INTESTACY AND
DETERMINATION OF HEIRSHIP
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:
It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on October 3, 2023 at 10:45 o’clock a .m., a Hearing will be held in the above named Court at Gaylord, Minnesota, for the formal adjudication of intestacy, and for the appointment of Brenda Lang, whose address is 30232 565th Ave, Winthrop, MN 55396, as Personal Representative of the Estate of the above named Decedent in an unsupervised Administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, said Personal Representative will be appointed to administer the Estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the Estate.
Notice is further given that (subject to Minn. Stat. 524.3-801(b)(c)) ALL CREDITORS having claims against said Estate are required to present the same to the Personal Representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or said claims will be barred.
Dated: August 24, 2023
/s/ Amber Donley
Judge
(COURT SEAL)
/s/ Karen V. Messner
Court Administrator
Aaron D. Walton
Attorney I.D. No. 0352767
Walton Law Group, PLLC
Attorney at Law
801 East Lincoln Avenue
P.O. Box 87
Olivia, MN 56277-0087
Telephone No. 320-523-2323
Fax No. 320-523-1844
Email: aaron@waltonlg.com
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