The November 11 meeting of the Eitzen City Council was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Mayor Jeff Adamson.
All council members were present: Emily Burrichter, Doug Meyer, Mitch Luttchens and Mitch Lange, plus Mayor Adamson. Also in attendance were Maintenance Supervisor Darrel Meyer and City Clerk Steve Schuldt.
Since it was Veterans Day, Mayor Adamson first acknowledged and thanked City Clerk Schuldt for his service before conducting the city’s business.
The minutes from the October 14 regular city council meeting were unanimously approved.
The financial statements for October were unanimously approved, with a motion by Councilmember Luttchens, and a second by Councilmember Burrichter. There is one delinquent account that will be rolled over and assessed to the homeowner’s taxes. Schuldt stated that he will call the county the following day.
Old Business
There was no update on the EPA citation.
In regard to the GSS, Inc. proposal to build a tower on city owned property, the mayor read the following summary of the process over the last 10 months which is now at a standstill: “GSS approached the City of Eitzen on January 6, 2025, with interest in erecting a cell tower for their customers on city owned property. It was learned that Harold and Eunice Meyer held an easement on the entrance to the city’s wastewater treatment facility. Approximately 65’ x 25’ gravel drive. The easement agreement only allows the city to service wastewater ponds and gives Meyers the pasture lease on 16 acres at no charge for said access. Numerous negotiations attempts to purchase access drive or re-evaluate easement to allow installation of cell tower and still allow retention of pasture lease agreement have failed. The City Council all believe the telecommunication tower would be a benefit for the surrounding community. The city’s legal counsel informed the council that eminent domain could be an option to obtain the 65’ x 25’ access from Highway 2 to the City’s property.”
The city will decide at the December meeting what the next steps are if the Meyers do not accept the city’s offer to purchase the easement for the tower. The city’s offer expires on November 24.
The community center is coming along nicely, according to the mayor. The mayor reviewed the timeline for the contractors to apply the spray foam, hang, tape, and mud the sheetrock, install doors, and paint to come in and begin working. Next, the council will select the color of paint for the walls and flooring for the entryway. Councilor Lange volunteered to talk with the Floor Guys about the flooring, and Councilor Burrichter was asked to pick out the color of paint.
The mayor will not be attending the MiEnergy annual meeting. Darrel Meyer will attend for sure, and if anyone else would like to attend, please let the mayor know, as the city made two reservations.
New Business
A motion was made by Councilor Luttchens to approve the Eitzen Fire Department’s request to build a 20 x 56-foot addition to the back of the fire station for storage. Seconded by Councilmember Burrichter.
Mayor Adamson read a thank you card from the family of Lee Breeser. Lee worked for Kurk trucking and served in the Eitzen fire department for 21 years. His wife Joan served as the city’s treasurer for many years until she retired earlier this year.
Councilor Luttchens mentioned that the city should have a proposal at the December meeting for the eight-unit housing apartment complex that is being transitioned from the Willard and Alpha Wiegrefe Foundation to the city. Luttchens said that each apartment is rented except for one and someone is looking at it. Each apartment has its own garage stall, and there is a common area.
Darrel Meyer reported that “everything is doing good.” Councilor Luttchens noted that he had not received any calls after the lines were flushed. Meyer mentioned that the hydrant that was hit by a semi will be fixed on Thursday.
The council reviewed the claims and approved paying the bills. Schultz noted that they “don’t have a lot of bills in yet.”
The meeting was adjourned at 6:34 p.m., after which, the council went into closed session to discuss an ongoing investigation.
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