Fountain City Council has received notice that Steve Eickhoff, executor of property formerly owned by his father Donald Eickhoff, along with the joint-property owner, is seeking detachment from the city. The issue was brought forth at the November 4 council meeting by Mayor Jim Schott.
The 111.22 parcel acres is entirely farmland, with the exception of one pole building on the property’s east edge. It is bordered to the south by County Road 80, to the east by Highway 52 and County Road 8, to the north by County Road 8 and to the west for additional farmland. In the petition for detachment, Eickhoff verified several criteria including that the area is agricultural and undeveloped and that it is not farmed with any city supported services. In the summary of what efforts have already been taken prior to filing the petition, he noted that there are no issues other than the city including the property within its boundaries many years ago.
Schott indicated Eickhoff sent the petition to City Attorney Frederick Suhler who then spoke with City Clerk Mary Tjepkes. “He recommends we turn it back over to him,” said Schott. “The city isn’t doing anything with the land.”
Tjepkes indicated a few possible hang-ups that need to be clarified before a decision can be made. One, taking the land out of the city will result in a loss of property tax revenue. Additionally, Fountain Township will need to agree to the process. “It could cost the city a lot of money to go to court,” she cautioned. “We will have to talk to the township, too. If the township doesn’t agree, I wonder if we all end up in court over this.” Quoting Attorney Suhler’s letter to the council, she further stated, “The land owners would have a fairly strong case. Maybe we should table this and find out what they are paying in taxes to the city of Fountain.”
The matter was tabled until the December meeting. The city will invite Suhler and members of the township board to attend for further discussion.
In other news, the city has approved a resolution accepting $31,417 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Safety Act funds. Several uses for the funds were approved at last month’s meeting including utility relief for businesses which applied. One additional business, AJ’s Diner, applied for the $500 utility credit in October.
The council unanimously approved certifying unpaid water and sewer bills over $300 to the county. The amounts will be applied to property taxes for each affected parcel.
A digital speed sign has been placed on Cedar Street for more than a month now and the city is looking to purchase a trailer making the sign portable to other areas of the city including County Road 8 and Main Street. It was noted the trailers are specifically designed for the signs. The council approved the purchase should one be found between now and the next council meeting.
Lastly, Councilor Dave Gudmundson requested that, due to the favorable weather at present, some of the city’s potholes be filled. It was noted that the material will be a temporary fix and that it would have to be done prior to the weather shifting colder next week. The council instructed Public Works Director John Hanson to contact Fillmore County to see if any county trucks are in the area currently.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Wednesday, December 2, at 7 p.m. Meetings are currently being held at the Community Center.
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