Dennison City Council Meeting - June 2, 2022

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City of Dennison

Regular Council Meeting

June 2nd, 2022

The June Dennison City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Jeff Flaten on Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 at 7:00 pm.  Present were Councilors Heidi Cooke, Diane Ruddle,  andNichole Schloesser and Clerk Jessica Page.  Councilor Anders was unable to attend.

Councilor Schloesser moved to accept the minutes for the May regular and special meetings.  Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 4:0. Councilor Ruddle moved to approve the treasurer’s report, Councilor Schloesser second.  Motion passed 4:0. 

Building Permits:  None

Administrative Issues:

  1. Todd Greseth, County Commissioner was present.  He noted that the sidewalk replacement didn’t work out.  The Public Works Dept was following the requirements that are laid out for them.  Todd relayed that the garbage ruling was upheld.  (Appeal was denied.)  At this point there is not a known timeline for the City to comply.
  2. Rezoning and land splits  for Mike Strese. ( For Jeff Hasse, and Wendy Carrol.)  Councilor Ruddle move to approve the land split.  Councilor Schloesser second.  Motion passed 4:0.  Will schedule the public hearing in July on the 7th  at 6:30.
  3. Metronet/LTD Broadband agreement.No one present to answer questions.  Mayor instructed to ask for $100 per month, to be able to use power if needed for the mixer, and get phone service covered. 

LTD wants the City to indemnify them in case their property harms the water tower.  The City not responsible for damage to their equipment. 

Can be put out for bids?  Our Tech Co-op will look into that for the City.

  1. Jared Peterson, OurTech Co-op, uplifting underserved communities everywhere.  They would like to do a partnership with the City to attract technology vendors and government grant investment for anchor Technology Park project in Dennison. The park would include a Data Farm, Shared Office Park, and the Gig + Fiber Internet Infrastructure to support the Town of Dennison and neighboring communities.   Financing:  each provider who wants to use the infrastructure pays a lease fee.  Counties received ARPA money that they could be included as a partner. Individuals who live in the city could also be partners.  Jared talked with partners and they could do a process that would bring in outside investment.  Feasibility study would need to be done.  He explained the process and how things work.  City would need to supply a letter of interest.  Special tax district financing, etc.  a potential feasibility study started at $50,000.  They looked at numbers of people in the city, and it would be more appropriate to do the study at around $10,000.  August 6- study need to be in to the state to be eligible for the recent funding.  Mayor Flaten move to approve a letter of interest for Our tech coop for broadband infrastructure.  Councilor Schloesset 2nd, motion passed 4:0.

Sheriff’s deputy was present at meeting.  He noted that more thefts are occurring and more drunk driving is occurring with the nicer weather.

  1. Phosphorus building update:  Approved change orders last week.  Jeff contacted PCA and let them know the situation.  Hopefully will be done by the 24th, and the city will  get it going by the end of June.  All communications go through the claims adjuster and now a lawyer.  June 21st will be an inspection of the building.  (Take apart walls to see if there is damage, etc.)  City needs to get an epa id number.  MPCA website will have the information to apply for the number. 
  2. Force main update. Need to do a regular discharge and a short discharge.  Fecal numbers are too high right now.  June 16th would be when they can start if the discharges are back to back.  Nate trying to work with PCA or duty officer to figure out what to do.
  3. City wide clean-up day. Ready to go? Date would be June 4th.  Notices were distributed on June 1.  People at PO said it wasn’t enough notice.  Need to get notices out earlier. Question was asked if the date could be moved back at all.  The City is pretty much locked into the date at this point in time. 

Citizens Issues:            

Mayors Issues:

Utilities:

1.Booster pump on the chemical side is leaking. Really need to decide what to do with that. Representative is coming to look at going with liquid chlorine and costs on Friday.  Nate had to shut it off.  Dan and Jeff looked at it.  Housing is cracked.  (possible due to water being frozen last Jan when the heat went out.)  Dan going to take some pictures and send to insurance co to see if it would be covered due to heater going out.  Dan suggested a jb weld to try to keep it going until something else can be figured out.  Do they do the quick fix before it’s looked at by the insurance adjuster.  Nate needs to call Dan, Mike Strese suggested talking to local welders.  Steve Trolley, or Lindenfelsers.  Hawkins guy to come down and look at Friday.

  1. Koester place has a reader in place.  Faribo Plumbing was able to get that done.
  2. Is outside reader in place at Stenbakkens?  Need to run a wire to the reader there.

Nate needs to install a new meter at McClosky’s , making noise. 

  1. New meter delivered to Pendleton place for plumber to install.
  2. Pumps were calibrated at the lift station.  Everything ok. Changed the oil on the pumps. 

New meters arrived and Nate is getting them figured out.  Nate and Jeff go tomorrow to locker.

  1. Set a date to flush hydrants.  Next week? 

Need to approve the pay app #6 for  Pioneer Power  Councilor Schloesser move to approve the pay app #6.  Councilor Ruddle second. Motion passed 4:0.

Mayor Flaten move to pay the bills.  Councilor Cooke second.  Motion passed 4:0.

Councilor Schloesser move to adjourn the meeting.  Councilor Cooke second.  Meeting was adjourned at 8:23 pm.

Next meeting:  Regular meeting is Thursday July 7th, 2022 at 7:00.