Borsgard Construction hired for library project
The Mountain Lake City Council took up 2018 water, sewer and electric rates at its Tuesday, December 19 meeting.
Proposed rate increases were discussed. In 2012, it was determined that the city would need to increase water and sewer rates 2% a year in order to make bond payment, operate the departments and maintain cash reserves. At that time, the city pledged to make the needed increases.
A 4.5% average increase – across all electric classes – was the recommendation for 2018. This recommendation comes from a rate study conducted in 2016 by Missouri River Energy Services (MRES).
Bond commitments, debt ratios, late fees, penalties and shut-off fees were also discussed.
Council members adopted the 2018 rates for water, sewer and electric as presented.
The council also reviewed and discussed the water, sewer and electric financial information and the proposed 2018 budgets prior to adopting the budgets as presented.
Spray foam insulation selected for library project
Quotes were received from five contractors for the Mountain Lake Public Library project. The library’s financials were reviewed and discussed.
The second option – using spray foam insulation – was selected.
The council hired Borsgard Construction, at a cost of $19,474.26, to complete the project.
Mountain Lake City Administrator/Clerk Wendy Meyer was directed to obtain carpeting quotes, an additional part of the project.
In other business
+ Held a public hearing on the Mediacom Franchise Agreement. There were no comments from the public during the two-minute hearing. The city does not have a right-of-way ordinance, and does not require that a permit be applied for and issued before utility work is done in the right-of-way. Mountain Lake City Attorney Maryellen Suhrhoff presented a report on the work completed by the committee tasked with writing a right-of-way ordinance.
+ Reviewed the 2018 draft budget. No adjustments have been made since the preliminary budget was adopted in September. Council members approved the budget as presented, calling for a total budget of $2,237,607.24 – a 2.9% increase over 2017.
+ Approved the submission of a Clean Water Application to Public Facilities Authority (PFA), as well as authorized the signing of Forms 5 and 6 of the PFA application. Bolton and Menk, the city’s engineers, is preparing the applications to the PFA and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
+ Reviewed and discussed the Streets and Parks Department’s recent activities report with Superintendent Rick Oeltjenbruns. Work on the Mountain Lake City Park bathrooms, the ice skating rink and asphalting the driveway at Island View Campground from Prince Street were discussed. The campground quote will be presented at the Tuesday, January 2 council meeting.
+ Reviewed the Island View Campground’s 2017 amounts, as well as amounts dating back to 2006 – the first year the campground was in operation. Campground rates for 2018 will be discussed at the Tuesday, January 2 council meeting.
+ Approved submitting an invasive species grant application to a program administered by Cottonwood County Planning and Zoning. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) no longer has an invasive species grant program.
+ Approved a resolution attaching unpaid mowing bills.
+ Approved the 2018 council meeting calendar. Council meetings will be held the first and third Mondays of each month at 6:30 p.m. – with the following exceptions:
- January meetings will be held Tuesday, January 2 and Tuesday, January 16 due to New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Junior Day observance.
- Second February meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 20, due to Presidents’ Day observance.
- Second June meeting will be held on Monday, June 25 to Pow Wow celebration.
- July meetings will be held Monday, July 9 and Monday, July 23.
- First September meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 4 due to Labor Day observance.
- December meetings will be held Tuesday, December 4 and Tuesday, December 18 due to school events.
+ Briefly discussed the process of hiring a new city administrator/clerk
+ Learned that the next “Coffee with the Council” will be held in February. Administrator Meyer will contact the restaurant owner to determine a suitable date and time.
+ The next city council meeting will be Tuesday, January 2, 6:30 p.m., in the Mountain Lake City Council Chambers.
2018 meeting schedule
Council meetings will be held the first and third Mondays of each month at 6:30 p.m. – with the following exceptions:
- January meetings will be held Tuesday, January 2 and Tuesday, January 16 due to New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Junior Day observance.
- Second February meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 20, due to Presidents’ Day observance.
- Second June meeting will be held on Monday, June 25 to Pow Wow celebration.
- July meetings will be held Monday, July 9 and Monday, July 23.
- First September meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 4 due to Labor Day observance.
- December meetings will be held Tuesday, December 4 and Tuesday, December 18 due to school events.
City of Mountain Lake Meeting Dates
+ Mountain Lake City Council meets the first and third Mondays of every month at 7 p.m.
+ Utilities Commission meets the second and fourth Thursdays of every month at 7 a.m.
+ Economic Development Authority (EDA) meets the second Friday of every month at 12 noon.
+ Lake Commission meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
+ Library Board meets the second Wednesday of every month at 4:45 p.m.
+ Police Commission meets the second Thursday of every month at 7 p.m.
+ Planning and Zoning meets the last Monday of the month, if needed.
+ Tree Commission meets quarterly – January, April, July and October – at 7:45 p.m.
