Members of the Canton City Council met on Wednesday, May 11, in regular session where it discussed upcoming property inspections and how best to proceed. Each year the city does a driving tour of town, with a deputy, to review and determine which residences may have ordinance violations that need to be remedied.
Clerk Brock Bergey highlighted the numbers of 2021 where 29 violations were noted at 17 different properties. Seven were noted in “public nuisances affecting peace and safety”; four were noted in “nuisance parking and storage”; 10 were noted in “inoperable motor vehicles”; two were noted in “building maintenance and appearance”; and six violations were noted for excessive weeds.
He also pointed out that 70% of the 17 property owners had also received violation notices in 2020.
Bergey stressed that when violations are observed during the property inspections, residents are notified by mail of the concerns noted, with a copy of the inspection report. Photos are shared, also, of the areas in violation and the residents are given time to bring those areas into compliance. Citations are not issued until residents are given ample time to address the concerns.
Mayor Nick Prestby and Councilman Josh Nordsving offered to ride along with a sheriff’s deputy to conduct the inspections this year. Once a date is established, residents will be notified through public notices and city correspondence as to when that will be occurring.
In a related matter, the council discussed ongoing ordinance violations at 200 East Canton Avenue, a property owned by Ted Lord. Bergey noted there have been several ordinance violations at the property, including inoperable motor vehicles, excessive debris and building maintenance issues. Bergey noted the city has sent letters to Lord since the property has been out of compliance for over a year.
The council agreed it was time to issue a citation and proceed with legal action. Bergey explained once this happens, the county attorney will take over the case, review the file and determine if any other charges needed to be filed.
“I feel he’s been given enough notice to get it cleaned up,” Prestby concluded.
Summer recreation
The council discussed donating funds towards the summer recreation program offered in Mabel. Bergey noted the Canton-area students are welcome to participate in the Mabel program, but parents often ask why league shirts say “Mabel” rather than “Mabel-Canton.”
“The city of Mabel funds this program, 100%,” Bergey said. “It is not funded by the school district.”
He pointed out that summer recreation is more expensive than he had imagined with the city paying over $17,500 in wages for a director and four helpers, equipment and supplies, t-shirts,s and the cost of a swim bus to Spring Grove.
The City of Mabel collects registration fees, sponsorships and sells concessions that offset the costs by about $5,000.
In 2021, Bergey said about 25% of the Mabel summer recreation participants were from the Canton area. Non-Mabel residents are charged an additional $5 in participation fees.
If Canton were to consider making a contribution to the program, Bergey recommended an amount based on the net cost of $12,800, considering expenses minus the revenues, and the 25% Canton participation. That amount would be approximately $3,200.
Prestby said he felt the Canton American Legion would be willing to contribute some of those funds to support the youth and asked the city council to consider a $2,000 donation to the program.
“Personally, I’d like to see us budget it for next year,” said Councilman Carl Ernst during a discussion as to where funds could be taken to support the program.
When Bergey reminded the council that the city had funds from the Donald Wilken Estate that were designated for “park and rec” uses, the council supported the motion to make the $2,000 contribution from the city. Nordsving and Prestby will approach the Legion to request the additional funds.
In additional discussion, Nordsving noted he would like to see a bus come from Mabel to pick up the Canton participants as had been done in years past. However, Bergey noted those additional costs would likely be Canton’s responsibility as current arrangements have parents making sure kids get to and from all the events and practices. He suggested revisiting that topic during budget discussions later this year to perhaps offer that service in 2023.
Reports
In his mayoral report, Prestby thanked the council members for participating in the conflict resolution process that was approved at the April meeting and for taking the time to meet individually with the League of Minnesota Cities representative.
He also asked the council if it would like to set a cleanup day in Canton, similar to what other cities are doing for their residents. He also suggested, in addition to having a waste hauler present to take away items, that it would be nice to have volunteers to help those residents who might not be able to clean up their properties by themselves.
“It’s a good thought,” said Ernst, “but we might cross bounds that shouldn’t be crossed.”
Nordsving also agreed it was a good idea and suggested the city get some public notices out and see what tasks people may need help with and then find volunteers to address those specific needs.
“I’m all for it if you can get volunteers to help,” Ernst added.
In the clerk’s report, Bergey noted a special election would be held later this month for a primary to fill the seat vacated by the death of U.S. Representative Jim Hagedorn. The special primary for the congressional District 1 election will be held on May 24. Since Canton residents vote by mail, voters who are registered by May 3 will automatically receive a ballot in their mail. Voters not pre-registered or who wish to receive their ballot at a temporary address may contact the county auditor/treasurer by phone, mail or in person for an absentee ballot application. All ballots may be returned by mail or may be delivered in person to the auditor/treasurer’s office in the Fillmore County Courthouse. Ballots must be delivered no later than 8 p.m. on election day in order to be counted.
Bergey also pointed out that residents may be seeing markings on some of Canton’s streets in the coming days, but those are not associated with any city projects. He explained that construction on Highway 43, from Mabel to Rushford, would cause a detour that would come through Canton. Other markings would indicate where MiEnergy would be burying underground wires.
Finally, Bergey noted the city had been offering extended hours on the second Wednesday of the month, for the past three months, and no one had utilized that time. He recommended returning to the city’s regular office hours, which the council agreed to.
Other business
The council approved the appointment of Isaac Crawford to the fire department as a new crew member.
The council approved the purchase of gutters and downspouts for the Mitson House, a request from the Canton Historical Society. The cost will be taken from the Mitson House Fund, Bergey explained, which was set up for the maintenance and care of the historic home.
The Adopt a Planter Contest was once again approved, with residents and businesses adopting planters on Main Street. Bergey explained the flowers and plants are to be planted by Memorial Day with the voting to take place on Facebook in August. Prizes for the top vote-getters are $100, $75 and $50.
The council set an allocation of $200 for flowers to be planted in the city office area, filling four pots that are in the green space outside the office.
Greg Skauge from Richard’s Sanitation was present at the meeting to answer any questions regarding the renewal of the solid waste collect and disposal contract. Bergey noted the current contract will expire July 31 and the new seven-year contract will go into effect on August 1. The city approved the renewal with compliments to Skauge and his crews for the good service provided to the residents of Canton.
During the public forum, Dennis Clausen asked about the city’s ordinance that addresses the length of grass. He said he agrees 12 inches can be excessive, but wondered if the city allowed alternative plantings so one does not have to mow as often. He mentioned planting clover, which is good for the pollinators and does not grow higher than three or four inches. “As long as it doesn’t get to be 12 inches, you shouldn’t have a problem,” replied Prestby.
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