Public Notices

Winthrop City Council
Meeting Minutes
Monday, August 5, 2024
A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Winthrop was called to order at 7 p.m. on August 5, 2024, in the city council chambers of the City Hall, for the purpose of conducting city business.
Councilors Present: Mayor Trebelhorn Councilors O’Connor, Wickenhauser, Renner, Pierson, Stoll.
Councilors Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Michael Looft, City Clerk Heather Haun, Chief of Police Logan Anderson.
CALL TO ORDER
OPEN PUBLIC FORUM
Sheldon Klukas spoke about his property and him addressing the concerns of the City.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3.1 Establish Current Agenda
Motion to approve by Pierson. Seconded by Stoll. Motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
4.1 Approval of Minutes: June 3, 2024
4.2 Approval of Financials – June
Motion to approve the minutes and unaudited financials by Stoll. Seconded by Wickenhauser. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING
5.1 Abatement of Henderson Property; Address 28454 Brown St S.
Mr. Henderson had an opportunity to speak and address council’s concerns over his property. Included with the discussion was storage containers.
5.2 Abatement of Muchow Property; 801 N Main St.
Looft advised the issues with this property.
The Mayor closed public hearing at 7:43P.M.
NEW BUSINESS
6.1 Resolution 2024-031 Resolution Amending the Library Budget
The Admin Committee met to resolve some budget concerns over the library. Council may remember that the 2024 budget was finalized before the hiring of the Library Director, because of some of these parameters, some budget adjustments are being suggested from books/programming to make up wage shortages. This will not impact the library’s hours, services, nor will it have a large impact on end of year budget items.
Motion to approve by Pierson. Seconded by O’Connor. Motion carried unanimously.
6.2 2nd Street Utility and Street Upgrade
There will be additional road closures and highway 19 closed starting Aug 19th. There have been delays due to rain. The crews work on weekends, when it doesn’t rain. Sewer is complete, storm sewer is now to Carver St. Public Utilities will continue to work alongside the project when new street lights go up. Good progress, just slow due to the weather.
6.3 Police Department Taser Purchase
Enclosed is the Axon Taser quote for a 5-year agreement to purchase/lease tasers from Axon. The full purchase price is $36,492.20; however, with the agreement it would be $7,298.44. The police department will pay this out of the police fines and court fees account which is mandated by state statute to be used on police supplies. Chief Anderson spoke about the reason for the quote and research on the tasers. Talked about the different training options that come with this quote. Went over the cost savings with the new cartridges and the training for the current ones we have will no longer be supported.
Motion to approve by Stoll. Seconded by Renner. Motion carried unanimously.
6.4 Resolution 2024-032 Abatement for Henderson Property
Please see exhibit A and attached pictures of the property.
Motion to approve by O’Connor to move forward with the abatement. Seconded by Stoll but would like to extend his time to 30 days instead of 10 days. Pierson asked about allowing the containers for him to take the house down. O’Connor asked what was in the house. Unknown male in the audience advised the house was used for storage. There was discussion about having to do asbestos mitigation as well. Looft would like to reword it to 30 days after the building permit has been granted. Renner advised Mr. Henderson that he would want to be proactive about the people who are going to be helping with dumpsters. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
6.5 Resolution 2024-033 Abatement for Muchow Property
Please see exhibit A and pictures attached to this resolution.
Motion to approve the abatement process by Stoll. Seconded by O’Connor. Motion carried unanimously.
6.6 2025 Budget Proposal
Council will consider for the first time the budget proposal for 2025.
Additional proposed dates for budget work sessions and Truth In Taxation:
Last year we cut expenses by 6%, this year we are trying to cut again because our revenue is down. Storm sewer is now an enterprise account based on the recommendation from DDA. We will no longer be getting TIF income due to their completion. Went through each tab and gave a general overview. Two categories to focus on would be Library and Police. Pierson would like to see it under 10%.
Committee Updates:
Administrative – Looft advised that we have been working on the budget, new businesses in town and REV with the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. We are applying for everything because there are a lot of grants out there. The DNR Grant for parks was denied, and we will try again next year.
Utilities/Public Works – Most of the sticks and branches have been picked up and cleared. The lights on Hwy 19 are having electrical issues, they are working to correct them.
Ambulance – Got a donation from Central Region Coop. Michael is working on another grant application to put towards another piece of equipment to place in the backup rig. Allina has a free class coming up, in talks with Ridgewater and needs ten students. The state has a paramedic grant out there right now. Looft talked about the EMSRB conference call.
Library – Met about the FCFF programs being very successful. There have been several different programs going on. Some staffing changes in the library are going on. Looking at different things for the grants that need to be used up by the end of the year.
Police – Officer Eickschen is at DRE school currently. National Night out tomorrow. Aron continues to work on ordinances, she has made drastic changes.
Parks – Needs to do some prioritizing. It was agreed that the slash pad is the priority and will focus on other items later. Letters have been sent out for fundraising which will be an ongoing effort.
ADJOURNMENT
Motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:09 PM by Wickenhauser, seconded by Pierson. Motion to adjourn carried.
Michael Looft
City Administrator

CITY OF WINTHROP
SIBLEY COUNTY,
MINNESOTA
SUMMARY ORDINANCE NO. 2024-001
AN INTERIM ORDINANCE
PROHIBITING THE
LOCATION,
ESTABLISHMENT, AND
OPERATION OF ANY USES IN THE C-2 ZONING
DISTRICT (HIGHWAY
BUSINESS DISTRICT)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, on September 9, 2024, Ordinance No. 2024-001 was adopted by the City Council of the City of Winthrop, Minnesota.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that, because of the lengthy nature of Ordinance No. 2024-00 l, the following summary of the ordinance has been prepared for publication and approved by the City Council as authorized by state law.
This Ordinance places a moratorium on the location, establishment or operation of any new uses in the C-2 zoning district in City of Winthrop until July I, 2025. Outing the moratorium the City will study potential new regulations related to permitted and conditional uses and the performance standards of uses in the C-2 zoning district.
A printed copy of the entire ordinance is available for inspection by any person during regular office hours at the office of the City Clerk at the Winthrop City Hall, 305 Main Street North, Winthrop, Minnesota 55396.
APPROVED for publication by the City Council of the City of Winthrop, Minnesota, this 9th day of September, 2024.
city of winthrop
/s/ Julie Trebelhorn
Mayor
ATTEST
/s/ Heather Haun
City Clerk
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