At the June 10 Harmony city council meeting, Mary Sack spoke to the council members regarding some details for the Golden Happenings group that meets in a room at the community center. She noted that there is no light in the parking lot and over the outside door that the seniors use which can be a problem. She also asked for clarification on whether or not the group is the only one that uses the room.
Salle Crutaire addressed the council with some research that she had conducted regarding the temporary suspension of the volunteer and intern program at the Harmony Public Library. She found that the Minnesota legislature appoints working groups when facing a complicated issue and issued a proposal to the library board asking it to put together a working group composed of employees, volunteers, patrons and board members.
The consent agenda was approved and included the minutes of the May meeting, the claims and May checks, the cash in CD, and the cash balances.
The council approved pay request #7 from Stantec in the amount of $169,149.37.
Mike Bubany from David Drown and Associates spoke to the council about his bond recommendation for the wastewater treatment plant UV project. His research indicated that a $1,775,000 bond with a 25-year term would be the best option for the city. The council accepted resolution 25-07 authorizing the sale of the bond.
The council reviewed the updated proposed telecommunication tower ordinance. City attorney, Greg Schieber changed some of the language in the ordinance regarding conditional use as requested by the council at their last meeting. Ordinance 606.13 was approved as well as a summary publication in the newspaper.
The Harmony Area Historical Society asked permission to install a pop vending machine at the visitor center with proceeds being used for office supplies for the Historical Society. The society members will be responsible for supplying, stocking, and maintaining the machine. The council granted permission.
Vicky Tribon and Dave Kingsley addressed the council with an update on the Historical Society’s work restoring the McMichael grain elevator. There are four phases for the restoration. The goals for phase 1 have been completed or are in progress. Phase 2 has almost been completed as well. Phase 3 includes the stabilization of the elevator and ADA compliance. Tribon noted that the Historical Society is working to obtain a large legacy grant from the Minnesota Historical Society for those costs. She asked if the council would grant permission to have the city’s CEDA representative, Lorena Reichert, help with the grant writing process which they did.
A quote in the amount of $55,838.10 from Driveway Specialist LLC was approved for patching nine different spots on the city streets.
A letter was received from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, asking if the city would be willing to donate $1,000 in 2026 as it has done in other years. A motion to give an annual donation of $1,000 to SMIF starting in 2026 was approved.
The pavilion in Selvig Park has a hole in the roof so it needs to be replaced. Three quotes were received and the quote from Prosper Lumber in the amount of $9,995 was accepted with the understanding that construction will not be ongoing over the Fourth of July.
Erica Thilges gave the Harmony Chamber report. Two new businesses, Tinker and Makes and Raindrop Massage, have recently joined the Chamber and have ribbon cuttings coming up. Eva Hemenway and Becky Meyers have been hard at work with promotions and planning for the summer tourist season. The Arts Board reported that the Fourth of July buttons are in and will be for sale soon. The practices for the “Let There be Harmony” play are going well.
The council accepted the resignation of library director Stephanie Morse with gratitude for her years of service. A motion to advertise for the position was approved.
Councilmember Michael Himlie announced that he will be getting married in August and then moving to Tennessee so he will be resigning his seat on the council as of August. Letters of interest will be accepted for his term and since it is less than two years, the council will appoint someone to fill his seat. More information can be found on the city’s website.