Meeting was held at the City of West Concords Bell Tower Center
PRESENT: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmember Collin Ripley, Councilmember Christina Peterson, Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, and Councilmember Jeff Burse.
(Arrived at 7:00pm)
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Administrator Cory Hinz, City Clerk-Treasurer Lauren Highfill, Accounting Clerk Michelle Lee, City Maintenance Supervisor Keith Clammer, Police Chief Shannon Boerner, Fire Chief Chad Finne, Resident John Zeller (Presenting Scouting Update), Allison Rislov (Presenting LaMae’s Bright Light 5k) and former Councilmember Karen Peterson.
PUBLIC COMMENT
AJ Von Tauffkirchen from Minnesota Implement was present and requested that the City make City events and notices more accessible to the public. AJ asked if it was possible to add links to the City Website. AJ also asked if the Mayor would consider pinning a link to the City Council Meetings on his Mayors Facebook webpage.
Sandra Sullivan was present to follow up with her comments from the April 2023 City Council Meeting. Sandra expressed her concern for the lack of ordinances and ordinance enforcement in the City of West Concord. Sandra recommended to the Council that they take time to view the properties in town for ordinance violations. Sandra continues to recommend that the City Council consider adding ordinances, such as parking restrictions on lawns. Sandra feels this will increase the property value of homes. Sandra also mentioned she was concerned about choices of the Council regarding zoning within the City of West Concord with regards to Minnesota Implements.
Galen Koeckeritz was present to address the City Council regarding Sandra Sullivans proposals. Galen explained that he would like the Council to take into consideration that not all residents have the economic wealth necessary to adhere to request for ordinance updates. Galen also mentioned that objects that might be construed as garbage or refuse by some citizens may be construed as valuable to other residents. Galen asked that if the City Council decides to view properties for ordinance enforcement purposes that the City Council and/or City take into consideration that different residents may hold different opinions about the value and condition of their items and properties.
Mayor McCool Responded to concerned citizens that the City does not have the resources to investigate each residential property for ordinance violations. The current and agreed upon practice is a Citizen (or concerned individual) makes a formal complaint, the City investigates the complaint, and the City authorities deem if the complaint is enforceable. The City Staff decides if they need to proceed with action based on the City Code Book Statutes.
John Zeller was present and made a comment to the City Council that he was concerned about tree height and tree trimming on public roads. He mentioned that it is becoming difficult to pass through City Streets due to overhanging trees. The Mayor replied that it is the responsibility of property owners to trim trees on their lot citing the City Code Book statue 825.01, Subd. 4 (b), “Every tree overhanging any street or right-of -way within the city shall be pruned so that the branches will not obstruct the light from any streetlamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection, and so that there is a clear space of at least eight feet above the sidewalk and 13 feet above the road surface”.
COMPLAINTS REGARDING CITY ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS
Complaints regarding city ordinance violations can be lodged with the City of West Concord in person, by phone or via email:
180 Main Street West Concord, MN 55985
P: 507-527-2668
Clerk1@westconcordmn.com
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve City Council Meeting Minutes from May 18, 2023
B. Approval of Payment of Claims dated 05-23-2023 in the amount of $32,011.60
C. Approval of Payment of Claims dated 05-31-2023 in the amount of $849.08
D. Approval of Payment of Claims dated 06-14-2023 in the amount of $7,475.00
E. Approve Resolution 2023-20: Approving Seasonal Lifeguard Employees
F. Approve Resolution 2023-21: Establishing Juneteenth as a City Holiday
G. Approve Resolution 2023-22: to Hire Part-Time Police Officer Alejandra Schloo
H. Approve Resolution 2023-23: Resolution Approving Lot Merger
I. Approve Resolution 2023-24: Approving One Day Gambling License for the West Concord Historical Society
J. Approve Personnel Committee Meeting Minutes of June 15th, 2023
MOTION: Motion to approve Consent Agenda
Motion was made by Councilmember Christina Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Collin Ripley.
Ayes: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmember Collin Ripley, Councilmember Christina Peterson, Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, and Councilmember Jeff Burse.
Nays: None
CITY BUSINESS
JUNE 24TH, 2023, “SCOUTING IN WEST CONCORD” UPDATE: JOHN ZELLER
John Zeller was present to discuss the upcoming Scouting event in West Concord. John inquired about portable rentals. Administrator Cory Hinz explained the funds for Portables, in the amount of $300.00, were approved at the May 2023 City Council Meeting. John explained that his organization will fund any remaining cost for Portables. The fire department also offered to provide John with a fire ring. John asked if the City had something that would cover his power cord so that vehicles did not drive over it. Minnesota Implements offered to provide John with a solution. John explained that the public is welcome at the event at 8pm for the bonfire.
REVIEW CITY ROAD CLOSURES FOR THE 2023 SURVIVAL DAYS EVENT
Allison Rislov was also present to discuss the LaMae’s Bright Light 5K during Survival Days 2023. Allison did not feel it was necessary to have any road closures for the 5k.
MOTION: Motion to approve routes for the 2023 Survival Days Event
Motion was made by Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, seconded by Councilmember Jeff Burse.
Ayes: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmember Collin Ripley, Councilmember Christina Peterson, Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, and Councilmember Jeff Burse.
Nays: None
2023 CITY OF WEST CONCORD BEAUTIFICATION INITIATIVE – POLICE CHIEF
Chief Boerner presented the updated West Concord Beautification Initiative. Councilmember Christina Peterson and Mayor McCool explained that they will attempt to reach out to a current resident regarding their property. If the situation cannot be resolved the City will begin the condemnation process on the property at 134 Arnold Street.
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE ACCESS ARPA/COVID FUNDING FOR RECOMMENDED PURCHASE
City staff recommended utilizing ARPA/Covid funding to install a 15ft x 13ft concrete pad that will support the storage / warming house structure that is being donated by Ellingson Companies. The pad will also be used for a secure portable. The total cost for the concrete pad is $3,900.00. Keith Clammer also presented a quote for electrical wiring and heaters in the amount of $4,530.00 for the new storage structure. If the $3,900 and $4,530 amounts are approved the remaining balance of ARPA fund will be $10,695.05.
MOTION: Motion to approve concrete pad in the amount of $3,900.
Motion was made by Councilmember Christina Peterson , seconded by Councilmember Collin Ripley.
Ayes: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmember Christina Peterson, Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, Councilmember Collin Ripley and Councilmember Jeff Burse.
Nays: None
MOTION: Motion to approve electrical wiring and heaters in the amount of $4530.00.
Motion was made by Councilmember Jeff Burse , seconded by Councilmember Christina Peterson.
Ayes: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmember Christina Peterson, Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, and Councilmember Jeff Burse.
Abstained: Councilmember Collin Ripley abstained due to conflict of interest
Nays: None
APPROVE RESOLUTION 2023-25: RESOLUTION TO APPROVE NEW LEASE FOR LAWFUL GAMBLING ACTIVITY FOR THE WEST CONCORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY WITH THE CITY OF WEST CONCORD
City staff recommended the City Council approve the new lease for the lawful gambling activity of the West Concord Historical Society.
MOTION: Motion to approve New Lease for Lawful Gambling Activity for the West Concord Historical Society with the City of West Concord
Motion was made by Councilmember Christina Peterson, seconded by Councilmember Collin Ripley.
Ayes: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmember Collin Ripley, Councilmember Christina Peterson, Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, and Councilmember Jeff Burse.
Nays: None
A.
REPORT OF OFFICERS
REPORT FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
1. May 2023, Rent from West Concord Historical Society: $2,952.78
2. Municipal Liquor On & Off Sale Monthly Report
REPORT FROM WEST CONCORD LIBRARIAN
Heather Frederick was present to introduce herself as the Interim Library Director for the City of West Concord. Heather explained that the Library Director position will be listed internally by the West Concord Library Board starting July 14th and closing July 23rd.
Heather also explained that Saturday library hours have been changed to be open from 10am to 12pm.
REPORT FROM WEST CONCORD PUBLIC WORKS
Keith Clammer was present to explain that Mary Gillard has now been certified as the new City of West Concord Tree Inspector and will begin inspecting immediately to ensure the City remains up to date with the MN DNR Emerald Ash Borer Grant Program requirements.
REPORT FROM PEOPLE SERVICES
Monthly Report Attached
West Concord 2022 Drinking Water Report
REPORT FROM WEST CONCORD POLICE CHIEF
Monthly Report Attached
REPORT FROM FIRE CHIEF
Fire Chief Chad Finne was present. Chief Finne discussed that no one has been charged for Fire Runs since 2021. Chad Explained that going forward the Fire Department will create Fire Run Invoices and give to the Accounting Clerk for internal processing and tracking of Fire Run payments.
The Chief shared that the DNR grant was completed. He also explained that they will be allowing the City to apply for a second year in a row due to extra funding. A radio grant from Southeastern MN EMS, in the amount of $1,000.00 was also received.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Mayor commented that the Pool is back up and running and thanked everyone for helping get the pool drained and fix the broken light.
Karen Peterson, former Councilmember of the City of West Concord, presented her concern about the upkeep of the North and South City of West Concord Monument Signs. Mayor McCool recommended the discussion be tabled until after the July 2023 Survival Days Event.
City Staff recommended moving the scheduled July 20, 2023, City Council Meeting to Thursday, July 13th, 2023, due to the annual Survival Days Event.
MOTION: Motion to approve the change of the normally scheduled July City Council Meeting to July 13th, 2023.
Motion was made by Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, seconded by Councilmember Collin Ripley.
Ayes: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmember Collin Ripley, Councilmember Christina Peterson, Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, and Councilmember Jeff Burse.
Nays: None
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting Adjourned at 8:10pm
MOTION: Motion to Adjourn. Motion was made by Mayor McCool, seconded by Councilmember Jeff Burse
Ayes: Mayor Jeffrey McCool, Councilmember Collin Ripley, Councilmember Christina Peterson, Councilmember Crystal Nielsen, and Councilmember Jeff Burse.
Nays: None
Attest:
By:______________________________
Mayor Jeffrey McCool
Attest:
By:_________________________________
Lauren Highfill, City Clerk-Treasurer
