Mabel’s city council met on September 14. Attending were Mayor James Westby, Terry Torkelson, Adam Wilder, and Cory Wilson. Kirsten Wyffels participated via phone. Also participating were City Clerk Karen Larson, Bob Meirau and Jeff Rein.
During the visitors section of the agenda, Mike Gjere (of Gjere Construction) addressed the council. He stated, “I’m asking the council, as well as city employees, what’s the reasoning for Dollar General not coming into town?” He went on to say, “Because I’m hearing, coming from this room, that Gjere Construction screwed that deal up, and I’m just wondering how Gjere Construction screwed it up.”
Mayor Westby replied, “I guess I’ll know in a couple days when I’m there.” He later explained that he will be going on vacation soon, but plans to stop in at Dollar General headquarters in Tennessee, to ask questions about why Dollar General backed out of plans to put a store in Mabel.
Gjere said that contrary to what he’s been hearing locally, “Dollar General does not do their own demolition. This building was being put up by an outside contracting firm, leased to Dollar General.” Gjere later asked, “So I’m wondering then, what was the city going to do to offer to help Dollar General to come here?” Westby responded, “We have no funds available, period. We gave it to two other small businesses, to create two new businesses in town.” Gjere summarized, “I guess what I don’t like is Gjere Construction getting thrown under the table.”
Karen Larson presented information about the proposed preliminary Tax Levy for Mabel for 2022. She explained that the proposal represents a 5.66% increase overall in the levy, compared to 2021. The council approved the preliminary levy. Larson pointed out that the city’s annual Truth in Taxation meeting will be held immediately prior to the council’s regular meeting in December. At that time, the final levy will be determined.
Karen Larson asked the council to consider approving the hiring of LaVonne Donlan at the public library, and she asked the council to consider at what starting wage to hire her. The council voted to approve Donlan’s hiring, and at the same rate as the most recent library hirings, $11 per hour.
Bob Meirau explained a grant opportunity for which Mabel may be eligible. The Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) could be used to help Mabel make needed repairs to the city’s water lines, according to Meirau. Specifically, Meirau said there are areas in town that still have the outdated four-inch lines, especially on Oak, Maple and Elm Streets. Meirau said, “What we would have to do, if you would so choose, is we could actually send in a preliminary proposal that they would review… and they would respond back by right around the middle of December.” Then, if the SCDP indicates the project might qualify. He said the maximum grant amount is $600,000, and he believes it is a “50/50 grant,” meaning that the grant funds would be used to match other funding the city would use. Meirau said if the city were to receive such a grant, there would be a 30-month window in which to use the funds. The council voted to have Meirau move forward on this issue.
The hiring of Derek Stortz as the city’s newest firefighter was approved. There had been four applicants to fill the opening. Mayor Westby voiced thanks to the Wilson family. He explained they recently used the community center for a family event, and afterwards they donated $350 to the city. The council approved four zoning permit requests.
The next meeting of the Mabel Council will be October 13 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome.
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