Approve fire, ambulance contracts with townships
Conducting a swimming pool feasibility study – and the possible construction of a new pool – was the highlight of discussion at the Mountain Lake City Council’s Monday, May 18 meeting.
Attending the meeting were representatives of the Mountain Lake Public School Board, including Vice-Chair Tim Swoboda, Clerk Julie Brugman, Treasurer Pam Hoek, Director Chad Pedersen and Superintendent Bill Strom.
Council members agreed to table further consideration of a pool study until 2016.
Mountain Lake Public School is requesting a meeting of the joint city/school district Pool Committee in order to discuss possible adjustments to the current city/school district agreement.
Township fire, ambulance contracts approved
The council approved Mountain Lake Fire Department contracts with the area townships of Carson, Kimball, Lakeside, Midway, Mountain Lake and Selma.
In addition, the members okayed ambulance contracts with Carson, Delton, Lakeside, Midway, Mountain Lake and Selma Townships.
In other business
* Accepted the resignation of Mountain Lake Police Officer Ken Bradford. Discussion was held over the question of changing the department size from four-to-three full-time officers. Topics touched on included volume and time of calls, scheduling, use of part-time officers, work load and other issues. The council asked for more information from Mountain Lake Police Chief Doug Bristol, which will be compiled and provide for more discussion. Council members authorized posting for the job opening under the stipulation that no interviews be held until the council determines the composition of the department.
* Approved raising the speed limit on Midway Road from 10th Street to 11th Street to 30 miles per hour (mph) from its current status as 20 mph. This brings the speed limit on that block of Midway Road to that of other city streets.
* Learned that the Statewide Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) Grant has been submitted. Awards are to be announced on Monday, June 1. Additionally learned that Casey’s has agree to located a Mountain Lake Trail trailhead on their triangular-shaped property on the corner of 3rd Avenue and Golf Course Road.
* Reviewed the Small Cities Development program tracking report. There are currently seven property owners participating in the program, with funding available for 20.
* Called by bids for the sale of the approximate south 180′ of a city property parcel. The Utility Commission recommended the sale
* Reviewed a proposal to facilitate the council’s Capital Improvement Planning Meeting. By consensus, the proposal from Tobias Spanier, University of Minnesota Extension educator was accepted. The tentative meeting date is Thursday, June 18.
* Reviewed the additions proposed by the Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (CMMPA) Board to the current list of rebates offered.
* Approved a Mountain Lake Pow Wow Road Race contribution of $300.
* Approved a request by The Laker Bar & Grill to close a portion of 2nd Avenue on Monday, June 15, during Pow Wow.
* Hired Darla Kruser (effective 5/6/15) and Mellissa Klassen (effective 3/29/15) as members of the Mountain Lake Ambulance Department.
* Hired Janessa Peters as a Public Works returning seasonal employee.
* Adopted Ordinance #3-15 amending the 7.04 Mountain Lake City Cemetery regulation.
* Adopted an images and social media policy for the Mountain Lake Fire Department and the Mountain Lake Ambulance Department.
* Approved adding the withheld $5,000 to the final payment to Kuechle Underground for the 2012-2014 Utility and Street Project. The first pay estimate included a $5,000 deduction due to the contractor’s inability to complete work in the time frame stipulated by the contract. At that time, council members agreed that if there were no further penalties, the $5,000 would be paid in the project’s final payment.
* Heard from Mayor Mike Nelson on a letter he received from Windom Monument regarding the city’s policy for placement of headstones. The current ordinance was explained and discussed. No action was taken.
* Extended the clean-up deadline for property at 7 13 3rd Avenue to the Monday, June 1, council meeting and reconsider the request at that meeting. Remaining nuisances and photographs taken earlier in the day on Monday, May 18 were reviewed and discussed with the property owner.
* Waived the administrative fine for property at 1203 Boxelder Street, contingent on the clean-up being completed by Thursday, May 21. Remaining nuisances and photographs taken on May 18 were reviewed and discussed with the owner’s representative. The representative agreed to clean-up by the May 21 deadline.
* Suspended the administrative fine payment deadline to the Monday, June 1 council meeting for property at 1406 3rd Avenue, and reconsider the request at the time. Remaining nuisances and photographs taken on May 18 were reviewed with the owner’s representative. The owner was given a set of photographs to assist with the clean-up. Also a concern is the length of the grass.
* Reviewed the status of abatements of public nuisances on other properties. Residents in violation of Mountain Lake Code Section 8.17 Grass, Weeds, Brush and Other Vegetation in Private Property were to receive letters late last week.
* The open meeting was closed and a closed meeting on the Mountain Lake Trail was opened, per attorney/client privilege. When the closed meeting ended and the open meeting reconvened, no action was taken.
* Litigation on the 2012-2014 Utility and Street Project was not discussed in either closed or open section.
