A public hearing was held at the beginning of the November 12 Harmony City Council meeting to discuss the 2024 street and utility project assessments. City Engineer Brett Grabau stated that three different areas of improvement were done during the project and each one had varying assessment unit prices. The total project costs were $1,796,359.70 with assessed costs coming to $554,342.44 and the city bearing the cost of the remaining $1,242,017.26. At the November 2023 public hearing, the assessed costs were estimated to be higher than what they actually turned out to be with the exception of the water service assessment. Grabau noted that property owners can appeal their assessment by submitting a simple appeal in writing to the city clerk before the closing of the public hearing. Grabau answered multiple questions from homeowners about payment clarifications, how to defer payments if the homeowner is over 65 years old, and how to address items that still need attention.
The consent agenda was approved and included the minutes of the October meeting, the claims and October checks, the cash in CD, and cash balances as well as a municipal meeting letter and 2024 agenda from MiEnergy.
Pay request #6 from Stantec in the amount of $233,005.82 was received. Council member Domingo Kingsley asked if any steps needed to be taken to address the delays in the project. Brett Grabau said that the council could file for liquidated damages, but that he didn’t recommend doing so as the contractor did a good job on the project overall and it would be a lot of extra trouble for the city. The pay request was approved.
The council reviewed resolution 24-14 adopting the assessment roll. One appeal was received. The resolution was accepted.
Becky Meyers from Bee Balm, Matt and Heidi Brown from Gabby Lou’s, and Brian Ostby from Torgerson-Ostby Floor Covering and Stone addressed the council with concerns about a sewer issue and the costs of repairs. Bee Balm and Gabby Lou’s were both experiencing some sewer backups recently, so they had someone come and explore the line. It was found that a section of their shared sewer pipe had fallen away where it connects to the main and that Torgerson-Ostby’s pipe was also broken. A large cavern was found in that area that could possibly be a result of the sewer not draining into the main line. “We feel that this is a bigger problem than we originally thought and that the city should be involved,” Meyers explained, noting that it appears as if the issue had been going on long term. City Engineer Grabau said that he has been talking to MnDOT about the problem, but that no solution has been determined yet. Meyers, Ostby, and the Browns asked if they needed to pay the bill for the work done so far as the matter has not been settled. The council approved a motion to allow the costs to have the same financing options available as the current assessments pending a waiver being signed by each of the three property owners.
The council reviewed the annual agreement with the Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce. Councilmember Jesse Grabau expressed some concerns with property maintenance upkeep section. Erica Thilges responded that the majority of the agreement was the same as before with no new expectations. “We just want to be sure that everyone is on the same page,” Thilges said. The council tabled the agreement for further discussion.
Resolution 24-15 certifying the election results and canvassing was approved.
A letter was received from Abdo informing the city that they will not be doing the city’s 2024 audit which means that a new vendor will need to be selected for that service. A motion to put out an RFP for proposals with a one to three year agreement was approved.
The EDA reported that Fitzgerald Construction has accepted the Phase II bid for the bike trail expansion project. Two applications were received for the 2024 Downtown Revitalization Grant.
Councilmember Michael Himlie gave the Arts Board report and informed the council that they will be holding the lighting contest again this year with three winners to be selected. The council approved the board’s recommendations of Sarah Hutchison to fill the open seat on the Arts Board and Gracie Whalen as the board’s student rep.
Greg Schieber updated the council on the motion they made to grant a 9-foot variance contingent on purchasing 10 feet of the neighbor’s property so Jay Masters can build on to Monster Bash. However, upon measuring the space to the neighbor’s buildings, it came to 8.5 feet rather than 10. The council amended the original motion to allow him to purchase the smaller amount.
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