The city council met on Tuesday, February 20th. Mayor Miron Carney asked for corrections, questions, or additions to the agenda, the regular meeting minutes from February 5th, and the Special meeting held on February 13th. There were none. All were approved as printed.
There were claims from February 15th that were all approved by the council.
Notice and Communications was up next. City Administrator Josh Malchow mentioned that DFL Senator Nick Frentz agreed to co-author the Operation Prairie Venture Bill. Now, there are bipartisan authors in both bodies, which is great news.
City Administrator Josh Malchow reminded everyone about the pending business regarding the Special election ballot. There will be a Public Hearing held on Monday, February 26th at 6:00 pm about the Resolution to call for a Special Election in May and the final language for the ballot questions. These were discussed during the special meeting held on Tuesday, February 13th. The City of Edgerton is interested in our processes for creating an Electrical Utility Municipal. DGR is putting together the final touches on the waste/water planning project. Bids are still out on 34th Street. The 28th Street Grant project will be out for bid on March 27th. Mayor Miron Carney suggested that the council get something on the calendar regarding Food Truck Licenses. City Administrator Josh Malchow will work on that.
Unfinished business was the next item on the agenda. City Administrator Josh Malchow discussed the Township/City Fire Protection Rates. Fire Chief Chris LeTendre and City Administrator Josh Malchow have had meetings with all the townships that would be affected by the increase. Lake Sarah Township expressed some concerns regarding the rate county wide. Blake Heronimus made a motion to stand firm with what the council had decided regarding the rates. The council unanimously agreed.
The first item under new business was the purchase of fire department equipment. City Administrator Josh Malchow advised that Chief LeTendre wanted to make the board aware that the cost of the cribbing equipment requested would be about $500 over the approved budget. He plans to offset this overage by reducing the purchase of another item. The council approved the purchase of the cribbing equipment.
Trevor Holm requested, tgat their land purchase be annexed into Slayton. His family will be building a “shouse/ barndominium” and they have horses and other animals. City Administrator Josh Malchow stated that the property being considered is not within the city limits. Per ordinance, when a property is annexed, it is automatically in the AO district. His only concern is that there is a 2.5-story height limit in that area. Trevor confirmed that his structure would be under 30 feet tall. There is no issue with it being steel-sided or having a steel roof. City Administrator Josh Malchow stated that “he wouldn’t want to do this everywhere but doesn’t have an issue doing it in this area because it doesn’t sacrifice the opportunity for light industrial businesses to move in.” The county has already approved this. The next step would be to develop an orderly annexation agreement with Slayton Township. The council agreed to move forward. Councilman Chris Jacobson questioned the potential need to extend Erlandson north to access property east of Trevor’s location. He mentioned possibly having a right of way for future development. City Administrator Josh Malchow asked if Trevor could move over 75-100 feet. After a lengthy discussion, it was agreed that Trevor would speak with the current property owner regarding the right of way and if there is a possibility to get more land. The council passed a motion to allow Trevor to move forward with the annexation process and that City Administrator Josh Malchow will further investigate the ordinance requirements regarding the right of way or easement on the property.
The final item on the agenda is the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association annual conference being held on April 15th – 18th, 2024 in St. Cloud. The council unanimously approved this request.
Next Meeting – Public Hearing Monday, February 26th, 2024, at 6:00 – City Hall Regular Meeting Monday, March 4th, 2024 at 6:00 - City Hall
