The Mabel City Council held its regularly scheduled council meeting on Wednesday, June 11, with Mayor Adam Wilder convening the meeting at 6 p.m. Council members present included Kirsten Wyffels, Tina Bakke, Valerie Arnold and Kelly Sand. Staff members present were City Clerk Karen Larson and Public Works Director Robert Mierau.
The meeting began with the approval of the agenda and the minutes from the May 14 council meeting. Councilmember Wyffels motioned to pay the bills, totalling $56,845.10, with a second by Councilmember Arnold. City Clerk Larson noted that a load of material was added to the softball field. The motion carried unanimously.
Mabel business owner Clarence Brumm brought to the council’s attention that a portable shed without a floor in the backyard of 408 N. Oak Street is positioned too close to the property line and needs to be relocated to comply with city ordinance regulations. He explained that the shed’s current location obstructs access for a bucket truck to reach the nearby electric pole, which serves power to all the properties in the neighborhood. Brumm emphasized that all involved parties are working together to create an easement.
There was no old business.
Under new business, the council unanimously approved seven zoning permits for various residential projects, including:
• Deb Marsden, 19934 State Hwy. 43 (Roof, door replacement)
• Rodney Tollefsrud, 121 N. Oak St. (Front porch replacement, gazebo)
• Matt Breitsprecher, 309 Minnesota Ave. W. (Roof, windows, deck, chimney demo, and master suite)
• Dawn Kramer, 214 N. Elm St. (Temporary fence, pool, deck gate)
• Miles Breitsprecher, 318 Maple Street N. (Bathroom remodel)
• Dacia Inglett, 320 W. Minnesota Ave. (Home remodel)
• Harold Sand, 108 Karli Dr. (Deck installation)
Mayor Wilder reported that 17 letters had been sent out after the initial property inspection, with follow-up inspections conducted on June 9. Eleven properties were found to be in acceptable condition, though two properties were added to the list of concerns, prompting a sigh from the council.
Regarding the 2024 TIF (Tax Increment Financing) report and the 2024 audit, no action was required.
City Clerk Larson noted that the city has received a number of complaints about the alley intersection with Prairie Avenue due to two trailers parked on the street. After a brief discussion, the council agreed to assess all alleys in the city to identify further issues and consider extending the “no parking” zones.
On behalf of the EDA committee, Wyffels reported that all members were present at the June 11 meeting prior to the city council session, and all loans are up to date. She also provided an update on the city-owned incubator building, which is rented by Darcy Thorson for a daycare. Thorson requested financial assistance to build a permanent roof over the outdoor play area, as the current shade sails are not working. Thorson spends approximately $800 annually on shade, which are installed in the summer and removed in the fall. Thorson provided an estimate cost for the new roof – $17,900, excluding labor, from when she asked Spring Grove Lumber last fall. While no decision was made, the council discussed potential fundraising opportunities since the project is not included in this year’s city budget.
In other business, the council approved a request from Public Works Department Director Robert (Bob) Mierau request to sandblast and paint 70-72 fire hydrants at a cost of $28 per hydrant. The council also approved the replacement of six streetlight poles, which cost $1,000 each.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
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