Photo by Hannah Wingert
At the October 8 Harmony City Council meeting, the consent agenda was approved and included the minutes of the September 17, the claims and September checks, the cash in CD, the cash balances, and a thank you letter from SMIF for the city’s recent donation.
The council reviewed and approved change order #1 for the street and utility project as recommended by city engineer Brett Grabau. Pay request #5 from Stantec was also approved.
Resolution 24-13 setting a public hearing to certify street assessment was approved. The hearing will take place at the November’s regular council meeting.
A purchase request from the city staff for a 20” burnisher with dust control in the amount of $2,823.54 was reviewed. It will be used at the community center and the visitor’s center to wax the floors. Using the burnisher will make the wax last longer so the floors won’t need to be waxed as often. The purchase was approved.
The Harmony Ambulance Service needs to purchase a new ambulance. There is a schedule for replacing the ambulance, but due to the lead time of 2-3 years to get a new one, they would like to order it earlier than the timeline dictates. Funds for the purchase have been put away each year and will be sufficient to cover the cost after the current ambulance has been traded in for the new one. The council approved the purchase.
Three sealed bids were received for the sale of the city’s 2020 trailer. However, the Lions Club asked if the council would consider giving the trailer to the organization for parades and other events instead of selling it. The council discussed the matter and decided to gift the trailer to the Lions Club and not accept the bids.
While dealing with a recent accident on 3rd Street SE and 1st Avenue, the Fillmore County deputy on the scene recommended that the city install yield or stop signs at multiple locations on that side of town. City Administrator Alissa Stelpflug obtained a quote in the amount of $1,510 for 10 yield signs and $1,200 for 10 stop signs. Council member Jesse Grabau noted that there is typically an accident or two a year in that area so some kind of signage would probably be a good idea. “We’re probably going to get some complaints, but it’s better than someone getting hurt,” Stelpflug said. A motion was approved to put up two stop signs for the time being.
Jay Masters from Monster Bash addressed the council with a variance request for 18 feet to extend the north side of the Monster Bash building out to the edge of the property line. Planning and Zoning had recommended that the council not grant the variance due to concerns about increased traffic, fire safety, and the impact on future residents and businesses of the Monster Bash and neighboring properties. Masters asked the council to reconsider the matter and approve it. He has spoken with the neighbors of the edge of whose property the building would extend to and they were in agreement with the plan, signing letters of support and an easement. Those which were presented to Planning and Zoning along with the variance application and fee. Masters noted that Monster Bash has given back almost $160,000 to support the Arts Program at Fillmore Central and also spends a considerable amount of money locally. Masters said that the neighbors to the north of Monster Bash are willing to sell him the 10-foot vacated alley which would then change the variance to a 9-foot request. The council considered the change and decided to approve a motion to grant a 9-foot variance contingent on purchasing the former alley, with Mayor Steve Donney abstaining due to also serving on the Monster Bash board.
Each time a permit is issued, a Planning and Zoning inspector has to go out and check to make sure that the set-back requirements are being followed. Currently, Jim Strozyk conducts the necessary inspections. Planning and Zoning recommended that he be paid $25 per inspection for his time and effort. The council approved the recommendation. A motion to accept Jesse Grabau as the chair for Planning and Zoning was also approved, with Grabau abstaining.
Portions of the sidewalk on Main Avenue and Center Street have had tripping hazards identified. A quote was obtained from Safe Step LLC to mitigate them. The council approved a motion to have 12 hazards on Main Street repaired at a total cost of $1,752 and will consider the other hazards in the spring of 2025.
The EDA is accepting applications for the Downtown Revitalization Program until November 1st. On the recommendation of the EDA, the council approved the sale of 2.4 acres of land in the Industrial Park to Miners Underground pending some clarifications to be made in the purchase and development agreements.
The council approved a motion to issue a letter of support for the proposed Fillmore Central school district levy. A declaration of appreciation for the service Steve Sagen provided to the city through his years as a city council member was also approved.
Erica Thilges gave the Chamber report. The membership drive is going on now. All fall and holiday events are moving forward as planned. People are encouraged to participate in the Trunk or Treat event as it is not just for businesses.
The kitchen oven and stove has been installed in the community center kitchen and is fully operational.
City staff will be identifying dead ash trees in Harmony and letters will be sent to property owners notifying them of the need to remove the trees.
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