The Eitzen City Council held its last meeting of the year Tuesday, December 14. Mayor Jeffrey Adamson and Council members Mitch Lange, Doug Meyer, and Mitch Luttchens, as well as Steve Schuldt, city clerk, were all in attendance. Emily Burrichter was absent.
Mayor Adamson called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. The council unanimously approved the November 10, 2021, city council meeting minutes.
During the review of the November financial documents, council members feel that the new Wiebke Fur & Trading solar field is working because the mayor has not heard anything from Wiebke. Luttchens stated, “No news is good news.” Schuldt confirmed that the cost for MiEnergy to replace six poles was a total of $24,526. The transformers were reused. The mayor pointed out, “It is a good thing they were installed before tomorrow’s winds.” Before approving the financial reports, the mayor summarized the documents by stating, “Everything looks good for being December.”
Unfinished business
The sidewalk project and the dog ordinance projects continue to show up as unfinished business on the council’s agenda proving that they are still top-of-mind, but currently they are in limbo.
The city continues to discuss using the American Rescue Plan funds, $13,174.22, for the installation of backup generators in city hall, the fire station, and the community center. Lange mentioned that he would like to invite representatives from Kish & Sons Electric down to explain the automatic backup generator system to the council.
The mayor announced that he is going to get someone to come out and look at the roof on the community center. The city is looking at replacing the shingles on the north facing section. The south facing section of the roof were replaced two years ago. The highest part of the roof was shingled during the last hailstorm, and it is holding up well. The round part of the roof has been reshingled.
New business
Mayor Adamson informed the council that the city is working to produce an hourly wage for the lift station repair. As soon as they have it confirmed the city will turn the paperwork in.
The council approved the $118,000 tax levy, which is approximately a 2% increase.
The first plow of the season went well.
The Friday night snowstorm did not get in the way of families attending Saturday morning’s Christmas event. An estimated 48 kids met and sat on Santa’s lap, Saturday, December 11. The event started around 8:30 a.m. and they ran out of food.
The last piece of business, to pay the bills, was approved.
Mayor Adamson adjourned the meeting at 6:28 p.m. The motion was unanimously approved.
The next regular meeting of the Eitzen City Council is Tuesday, January 11, at 6 p.m., at Eitzen City Hall (next to the fire station), 202 East Main Street, Eitzen. Contact Steve Schuldt, City Clerk, at (507) 495-3017 or eitzen@acegroup.cc. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.