Council Minutes, April 4, 2022

Posted: April 4, 2022

City of LeRoy MN – Council Meeting Minutes, April 4, 2022

A regular meeting of the LeRoy City Council was called to order by Mayor Ed Koppen on Monday, April 4, 2022, at 6:30 PM at the LeRoy Community Center with the following members present:  Mayor Ed Koppen, Council Members Ashley Huntley, Harold Shipman, Gerald Payne, Maintenance Employee Nick Sweeney, and City Clerk Patty White.  Council Member Brian Thiel was absent.
Also attending: Axel Gumbel, Cassidy Milks, and Deputy Sawyer Weiss.  All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:

  • Council reviewed the items included in the consent agenda. Motion by Payne, second by Huntley to approve the consent agenda.  Motion carried 4-0.

Police Report:

  • Deputy Weiss reported that it has been relatively slow around LeRoy. Koppen questioned about community relations.  Deputy Weiss noted the deputies do try to allow time to visit with the kids and show them the squad car.  Council encouraged this type of interaction with the kids and community members.  Payne noted he is impressed with seeing deputies around town at different times during the day.

Public Input Time:

  • No one present had anything to bring during public input time.

Standing Committee Reports:

  • Huntley reported the LeRoy Area Ambulance Service has been quite busy. The refurbished rig is back in service.

State Highway 56 Project:

  • Council reviewed the information received from MnDOT noting the project schedule has been adjusted with contractor selection occurring in summer 2023 and road construction beginning in spring 2024. Tree clearing work will begin in fall 2023. Payne questioned council if they felt MnDOT is going to follow through with this project; he noted the city has expended many funds for engineering costs for this project.  It was the consensus of the council to have White send a letter to MnDOT acknowledging the date changes, noting the amount the city has spent, and expecting the project will be completed in 2024.

Parks-South Park Slide; Property Damage Only Release:

  • Sweeney reported Kyle Stern was taking down a tree at South Park when a larger branch bounced on the ground and damaged one of the slides on the play structure. Stern’s insurance company has offered a payment for half the cost of a new slide.  Mr. Stern’s insurance company wants the city to sign a property damage only release accepting the partial payment.  Motion by Payne that the city does not accept this payment; this city is requesting full payment for the slide.  Second by Shipman.  The motion carried 4-0.

Boundary Line Issue-Encroachment Agreement:

  • There was no new information for this item.

City-Wide Cleanup-Date Change:

  • White reported the date for the city-wide cleanup would be changed from Saturday, May 14 to Saturday, May 21. This date change was due to the appliance recycling guy not available on Saturday, May 14.

Lawn Mowing for 2022 Season:

  • Council reviewed the quote from Brady O’Connor, dba Blades of Glory, for mowing both city parks and the city cemetery. Council concurred they were happy with the mowing Mr. O’Connor has done in the past.  Motion by Shipman, second by Payne to approve the quote from Brady O’Connor for mowing each park at $95 per time and mowing the city cemetery at $450 per time.  Motion carried 4-0.

Resolution Adopting Polling Place:

  • White reported due to redistricting, the council needs to pass a resolution setting the polling place for 2022 elections. Motion by Shipman, second by Huntley to pass Resolution 2022-05, a resolution designating the polling place.  The motion carried 4-0.

Land Use Permits:

  • Council reviewed one land use permit.
  1. Lot 5, Block 2, Olson Addition, 117 Penny Lane, Donna Johnson-build addition to house
  • Motion by Payne, second by Shipman to approve said permit. Motion carried 4-0.

Communications File:

  • White reported she had been contacted by Randy Monson and Sheryl Schaefer, children of Louise Monson. The family of Louise Monson would like to donate a large concrete flower pot to be placed in Louise’s memory near the LeRoy Community Center.  The city would be responsible for planting and watering the flowers.  Council would welcome this donation, with thanks, but would request the pot be large enough that it would not get stolen or blow away.

Street Project for 2022:

  • Council reviewed the new proposal from Heartland Asphalt; this proposal included a portion of South Mather and a portion of West Street. The proposal total is $169,072.15.  Payne felt the project by LeRoy Lumber should go at least 100’ further south; Sweeney reported the proposal includes midway across from the old railroad tracks.  Council also noted the block on Mather Street between Cabot Street and Lowell Street is in poor repair.  They would like to see this added to the proposal.  It was noted $185,395 is budgeted for street maintenance and repair in the 2022 budget.  There are also funds in capital outlay that could be used.  Motion by Payne to accept the proposal for $169,072.15 plus adding the block on Mather Street between Cabot Street and Lowell Street.  Second by Shipman.  Motion carried 4-0.

Strong & John Street-Right of Way Infringement:

  • This project will commence when weather and time allows.

Water Main-West County Road:

  • Sweeney reported he spent some time with the city engineer discussing this. Sweeney has not heard anything back from the city engineer.
  • Council also discussed the sanitary sewer main in West County Road. It was felt if the water main is replaced the sanitary sewer main should also be replaced at the same time.
  • Sweeney reported the water main on Read Street does not loop into the water main on West County Road. That should also be looped if this project is done.  Sweeney noted Read Street only has a two inch water main; this should be reviewed when information is received from the city engineer.

Security Cameras Update:

  • There was nothing new to review on this.

Service Award Recognition:

  • Olivia Bundy, Victoria Knode, and Kendra Groth were recognized for their cleanup efforts in the waterway near Bauer Built. It was noted these girls did this cleanup out of the goodness of their hearts.
  • LeRoy Community Theater was recognized for their recent performance of the Roaring 20’s Follies. This group brings much positivity to the community.
  • Joe Saterdalen, through a letter to Mayor Koppen, acknowledged Rick Granahan for his medical care for an injured Patriot Guard Rider on a ride in September, 2018. Saterdalen also wanted to acknowledge Gary Schaefer for performing the Heimlich maneuver on Mr. Saterdalen when they were on a pheasant hunting trip in March, 2022.  Mr. Saterdalen wanted to thank these people for stepping up to help and looking for nothing in return.

Nuisance Properties:

  • Payne suggested sending another letter to Alexander Lucas stating the 90 days for substantial repairs and cleanup was up at the end of December. Council consensus to send another letter to Mr. Lucas.  Council did note the activity and improvements they are seeing at the Hardecopf property on East Main Street.

ARPA Funds:

  • There was nothing new to report on this.

EDA & WWG Report:

  • Council reviewed the letter received from the city attorney pertaining to Wildwood Grove, Inc. and the EDA.
  • Koppen questioned about the LeRoy City Lines bus sales. Payne noted the EDA is waiting for any final bills prior to transferring the balance of the funds from LCL to the city.  Payne noted proceeds from the bus sales does not cover the amount the city was carrying for the purchase of the buses; Payne noted the city will have to absorb the loss from the sale of the buses.
  • Koppen questioned about a budget for WWG. Payne noted a budget has been received; it is hoped that monthly reports will have the budgeted figures on it.  Koppen noted he would like to see a cash balance monthly.
  • Payne reported it seems very positive at WWG; two new residents have moved in leaving just three vacancies except for the back memory care unit. The EDA and WWG administration are discussing reopening this unit; it was noted this must be feasible with resident numbers and staff to cover these shifts.
  • Koppen questioned if the city should issue a bond for major renovations at WWG. Payne would like to see things left as is for the remainder of this year and see how this year goes.  It is hoped WWG will end with a positive balance at year end.

Being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Payne, second by Huntley at 7:41 PM.

– Ed Koppen, Mayor

– Patty A. White, City Clerk-Treasurer

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