Dennison City Council Meeting - January 6, 2022

City of Dennison

Regular Council Meeting

January 6^th 2022

The January Dennison City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Jeff Flaten on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 7:00 pm.  Present were Councilors Diane Ruddle, Ann Anders, and Nichole Schloesser, and Clerk Jessica Page.  Councilor Heidi Cooke was unable to attend.

Councilor Anders moved to accept the minutes for the December regular meetings.  Councilor Schloesser second. Motion passed 4:0. Councilor Anders moved to approve the treasurer’s report, Councilor Schloesser second.  Motion passed 4:0. 

Building Permits:  None

Administrative Issues:

1. Levin Annexation:Paperwork from Northfield Township has been received as well as the ok from MNDOT.  Council reviewed the public hearing comments of which there were no objections.  Councilor Anders move to approve Ordinance 87 to annex in the Levin parcel.  Mayor Flaten  second.  Motion passed 4:0.
2. Levin Property split.Council reviewed the request from John Levin to consider the proposed property split for the newly annexed property.  He wants to add 55 feet to the shop property so it would be 155 by 100.  Then the house parcel would be 145 by 100.  Councilor Anders move to approve the split.  Councilor Schloesser second.  Motion passed 4:0.
3. Paul Nygaard property split:Council reviewed the proposed split for Paul Nygaard’s property.  He would like to split off a parcel for his daughter to build a house.  During discussion it was brought up that there might be a need for a street in that area. Discussion was held that a street would not be put in there (it was previously offered to the City by the owners),  but due to the drainage and waterway that goes through the area there would need to be a bridge built on that street in order for the street to be built.  The Council at the time decided that a street would never go in there because of the excessive costs to do so. 

Lot is appropriate size.  There were several nice comments on the clean up job that had occurred on the original parcel.  Potential builder is aware that there would be a street in front of the house eventually and has planned for that.  Mayor Flaten move to approve the split as noted on the survey.  Councilor Schloesser second.  Motion was approved  4:0.

4. Review Fee Schedules and approve for the upcoming year. Due to questions with various fees, the Council decided to shift the review and approval to next month.All current fees will remain in place until the updates are approved by the City Council. 
5. Nordis Estrem would like information as soon as possible on how many more houses the wastewater system for the City can handle.There is an individual interested in purchasing the rest of the hill, third addition, up to 14-15 homes.  He builds and sells homes.  She thought the City put extra hookups up there, but she can’t remember for sure.  Thinking its 10-12.  Ann found some information on the additions.  A Water Study had been done to see how many homes could be added back when the additions were being established.  It appears the recommended number from that water study is close to being reached.  Back in 2000’s when the original study was done, it had been recommended that another Water Study be done to see how many additional homes could be added when the original number had been reached.  Clerk contacted Paul from MRWA and he explained it is beyond their scope to complete something like that.  It would need to be completed by an engineer.    Councilor Anders found the number of homes that could be built from 2001 in her notes. 
   From Feb 1, 2001 meeting, 14 were approved for Estrem’s addition.  13 hookups have been used so far of the 14 dedicated to them.  Can’t say how many additional homes could be added for the next addition for Estrem’s addition.  Nothing was dedicated to that addition at that time.  Best information that Ann has at this time.  3rd addition was where the truck pull is and wraps up around Prairie Ave.   6 to 28 potential homes were thought as a possibility for addition to the sewer system.  Capacity had been increased by 30-40% through some work that was done in 1998. 

Find out how much it would cost to do the water study.  The City can’t give Nordis a number until the water study is complete. City will ask Rural Water to advise on companies to do the water study.  Should get some bids on the costs for this for a couple companies/timeline and scope.  Mayor Flaten and Councilor Anders will work together on it. 

Council was looking at the need to have someone like Trent McCorkell, who can review zoning issues that may come up, available for consultation, as the City doesn’t have the expertise.  Councilor Anders will call him to discuss the possibility.

6. Donation of stub street to City:City was recently contacted by the land manager for the family who owns the stub street parcel in the City inquiring about possibly donating the parcel to the city if the City would cover the cost to do so. Councilor Ruddle move to accept the donation of the stub street with the cavea that the  City is willing to pay the filing fee if they come to the city with a clean deed.  Councilor Schloesser second.  Motion passed 4:0,
7. Significant Industrial User agreement with the locker needs to be updated.There are currently no plans on file with the MPCA.  The plan needs to be updated every 5 years.  Look at Kenyon or Nerstrand  as they have lockers.  Councilor Ruddle will try to look at this issue to get the process started.
8. Christine Whipple, Boy Scouts in Cannon Falls will build the food pantry.All costs would be paid for.  Councilor Anders will look at what City responsibility would be if it’s a food issue. 
9. Northfield Township Board has requested Mayor to attend their meeting to discuss a maintenance agreement regarding shared areas of Goodhue Ave. for maintaining the gravel road and plowing.

10.)  3^rd pay app to Pioneer Power needs approval.  It is for $14,952.  Councilor Anders move to pay Pioneer Power for their 3^rd pay app.  Councilor Schloesser second.  Motion passed 4:0. Mayor Flaten had keys made for the shed and will get them to the appropriate persons. 

Citizens Issues:  None      

Mayors Issues:

Utilities:

1. Update from Nate: Testing for C License plan?Need to take it.  Nate has one year to complete the C license from the start of operating the equipment.  Clerk has a name of a person to help with making sure the best training option is found.
2. Pump house heater:Chemical room heater is very corroded. Cedar Lake Electric is going to take it apart and they think they can fix it.  After looking at the heater, they are unable to fix it.  The City needs to look at replacing the heaters.
3. Adjusting the VFD as part of an energy study.Paul is going to come from MRWA to try to test out what is the lowest rate of electrical usage.  Need to keep it under 65 hertz, currently runs at 58 hertz.  Call the electrician instead of having him come out.  Can ask him about getting an LP heater for the wellhouse.
4. There is an individual interested in helping with the water and sewer duties for the city.The person had assisted Paul in the past doing some of the things before he passed away.  Would the City like to take a look at this?  Nate didn’t feel that he would need to have any help, and would let the Council know if he needed any.

Question on a house that appears to be occupied, but no one is ever home to replace the reader for the water meter.  Would the bank have a contact for the old Stenbakken house.  Or could possible leave a note on the door? 

No complaints regarding the snowplowing.  Bill Deutsch was present to check how things were going. 

Councilor Schloesser move to pay the bills, Councilor Ruddel second.  Motion passed 4:0.

Mayor Flaten move to adjourn the meeting.  Councilor Schloesser second.  Meeting was adjourned at 8:30                                     

Next meeting:  Regular meeting is Thursday February 3, 2022 at 7:00. 

Public Hearing on Levin annexation request.

Thursday, January 6^th 2022, at Dennison City Hall.

6:45 pm.

Mayor Flaten opened the public hearing at 6:46 pm. 

Councilors Anders, Schloesser, and and Mayor
Flaten were present.  Councilor Ruddle arrived at 6:50 pm. 

John Levin, who was petitioning to have his parcel annexed in to the City of Dennison, was present to explain why he was asking for the parcel to be annexed in to the City, and his plans for the property.

There were no opposing comments regarding the potential annexation of Mr. Levin’s parcel in to the City of Dennison at the public hearing.

Mayor Flaten move to close the public hearing.  Councilor Anders second.  Public hearing was closed at 7:01 pm.