The Mabel City Council approved zoning permits from Dean and Lorri Peterson, Sue and Gary Morken, Sherry Johnson, Joe Larson, Jason and Brooke Harmening, Juanita and Jerry Jacobsen, Wade Johnson, Vivian Vine, Joel Amdahl, and Sherry Johnson at the June 14 regularly scheduled meeting. Summer is the time to make repairs and build additions to your homes and businesses. Mabel residents will start seeing decks constructed, roofs reroofed, garage doors replaced, siding fixed, windows and steps replaced, new driveways built, and upgrades to businesses.
Mayor Adam Wilder called the June 14 regular meeting of the Mabel City Council to order at 6 p.m.
Council members in attendance include Mayor Wilder, Tina Bakke, Cory Wilson and Kiersten Wyffells. Valerie Arnold was absent.
The May 10 minutes were approved as written. The council unanimously approved a motion to pay the bills totaling $68,811.65.
City Clerk Karen Larson updated the council on the softball field, noting that the project would not begin until after Steam Engine Days if approved by the board; no action is required now. She mentioned that the booster club is selling raffle tickets and plans to donate $7,500 to the city for the softball field project. The Lions Club is expected to contribute $1,000, and the VFW has been contacted about donating to the project, with Larson emphasizing, “Donations are coming in, and community groups think it is a good thing.”
A second letter will be sent to property owners needing to clean up their yards.
Council members agreed that the flashing speed signs help remind drivers to slow down and approved spending $3,700 to purchase one speed sign. The sign will be placed on S. Robert Street coming into Mabel, where the gravel and pavement meet.
Larson shared with the council the recently passed cannabinoid products regulations for their review. She wanted the council to start thinking about a possible ordinance for the city.
Council members agreed they do not have the funds to replace the wood chips at the incubator building/daycare center, as the price is costly. Looking for a grant to pay for new playground material is recommended.
Mayor Wilder informed the council about a discussion he had regarding the regrading of the grassy area by the Mabel Business Association building on the Steam Engine Grounds. No action was required.
In other business, the council:
•Approved two temporary liquor licenses for the Mabel Lions Club on August 25 and September 8-10.
•Approved a temporary liquor license for the Hesper Mabel Area Historical Society, September 7-10.
•Approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Mabel and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Local 49 to add Juneteenth is to the list of paid holidays.
•Approved Fire Relief Form SC-23.
Wyffells reported that the EDA committee did not meet on June 14 before the city council meeting. She also mentioned that all loans are current, and one loan is paid in full. Joe’s Pizza Palace is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 2-10 p.m. and has been busy every night since they opened.
City Works Department director Bob Mierau began his report by stating that the street sweeper is very nice. He is very thankful. He said it is nice to not be sucking dust after 25 years. The electric meters have arrived, and arrangements to pick them up need to be made, and then they will start installing them. They did get the value exercisers and got all the values exercised in town and found out there were a couple of bad ones, which were very old. They have been repaired. He added that you will notice the patches. He informed the council that the state requires municipalities to inventory all lead services and submit a report to the Minnesota Department of Health by October 2024. He added that there are grants available to cover the cost.
The next regularly scheduled Mabel City Council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12 at the Mabel Community Center, 201 South Main Street, Mabel. For questions, contact City Clerk Karen Larson at (507) 493-5299 or karen.larson@cityofmabel.com. The meeting is open to the public.
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