Bill Hanson from Hanson Waste Removal & Recycling out of Chatfield was present at the June 8 Harmony City Council meeting to discuss a city clean-up day in Harmony. Hanson’s company is available to do the clean-up on Wednesday, June 23 and will enlist Tony Severson of S & S Sanitation to help so that it can be done in one day. The cost will be $150 an hour for each of the three trucks and $100 a ton for disposal.
On the day of the clean-up, Harmony residents will be able set things such as couches, mattresses, construction materials, and other debris and junk on the curb outside of their house to be picked up. Batteries, paint, fluorescent light bulbs, TVs, and computer monitors will not be allowed and residents will be asked to put no more than 40 pounds of loose debris in a bag or box. “We would ask citizens not to use this as a regular garbage pickup,” Swanberg said.
Mayor Steve Donney asked about the possibility of selling tickets or stickers for TV and monitor disposal. Swanberg proposed that the clean-up be kept simple this year as it’s the city’s first time doing it and the date is coming up quickly. Hanson said that he would be willing to arrange another day for pickup of TVs and monitors if there’s a big demand for them.
Chamber of Commerce Director Melissa Vander Plas reviewed the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration with the council. As things are starting to open back up, she expects to be able to hold most of the traditional events like normal. Vander Plas asked for and received permission from the council to use a portion of the south side of the trailhead parking lot for a pedal pull. She also asked for the council members’ signatures for the parade route which will be kept the same as it was before.
On Friday, July 2, a marathon ribbon cutting will be held for each of the Harmony businesses that opened, changed locations, or got new owners during the pandemic. The ribbon cutting, which will be called “Running the Scissors” will begin at 10 a.m. and will proceed to each of the nine businesses with about 10 minutes spent at each one. Vander Plas noted that the event will be promoted to the media to bring recognition to Harmony businesses. “We had a bad year, but we still had businesses that were succeeding and doing new things,” she said. “I’m just really proud of our businesses. They have done some really great things this year.” The businesses participating in the ribbon cutting are Birch Bark Grooming, The Bite, Bee Balm, Farm Charm, Estelle’s (patio), Tin, Rust & Harmony, The Shirt Off My Back, Harmony Car Wash, and Nolan Lumber.
Resolution 21-10 regarding the assessment of delinquent utility debts was approved.
The council approved a motion to redo a small section of the road by Kwik Trip.
The EDA asked the council to approve a loan request from Josh and Kelsey Bergey for the purchase of Harmony Car Wash, which they did. The electric car charging stations have been ordered and will be installed behind the bank when they arrive. The EDA is still deciding how to handle payments for charging.
The EDA is currently working on the concept for a Downtown Revitalization Program with an emphasis on preserving the character of the city.
The Park Board is in the process of submitting a swimming pool plan review application for the Splash Pad to the Minnesota Department of Health. The inspection funds will come from the Splash Pad donations. The council approved the application. The board recommended the purchase of a robotic mower for the cancer park. “It’s (the cancer park) an important part of downtown,” Swanberg commented. The cost of the mower will come to about $1,200. The council approved the purchase.
City financial advisor Mike Bubany called into the meeting via phone to discuss loan 2021-C with the council. In 2017, the council obtained a large loan for a road project at a 3.05% interest rate. The outstanding principal left on that loan is $712,500. Refinancing that loan at a 1.3% interest rate will save the city a considerable amount of money. The council approved loan 2021-C.
The city is planning to spray for mosquitoes near the end of June.
The next Harmony City Council meeting will be held on July 13 at 7 p.m.
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