Improvements at Steam Engine Park

Mayor Adam Wilder called the May 10 regular meeting of the Mabel City Council meeting to order at 6 p.m.

Council members in attendance: Mayor Wilder, Tina Bakke, Cory Wilson, Kiersten Wyffels, and Valerie Arnold (call-in).

Fireman Orel Tollefson appeared before the council to present a list of proposed rules and regulations from the Mabel Fire Department. Tollefson explained that they are something that the fire department has been lacking for quite a few years. He added, “We, as firemen went over the rules. Everybody had a chance to look over them, and any adjustments were made. This is what we came up with. We just want to know if it is something that the council should okay or if there is something you really kind of question or maybe aren’t legal. We don’t know. We are just looking at trying to get some rules in place. So, if something comes up, we have something to back our…What we’re going to do.” Since this is the first time seeing the rules for some council members and have not been reviewed by the city attorney, no action was taken.

The April 12 minutes were approved as presented. A motion to pay the bills totaling $99,429.60 was approved. There were no questions regarding the financial statements.

Mayor Wilder announced that clean-up day is scheduled for Saturday, May 13 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Wastewater Treatment Plant. Garbage and recycling pick-up is Thursday, June 1 instead of Wednesday, May 31.

Regarding replacing the material on the softball fields at Steam Engine Park, Public Works employee Jeff Rein said, “We are looking at peeling off 4-6” of that old grimy lime and putting this really good stuff down.” Both Rein and Chucky Dahl think it would be a good thing to do. Other communities have not had to replace their lime in over 10 years. Instead of scraping off, reordering two to three loads of lime, and reapplying it every year, which is what Mabel currently does. In the long run it will save the town money. Arnold added, “Dave said that last year the rocks were so big that he took out, they would have ripped their knees open if they had slid.”  It was confirmed that there is no flood coverage for the softball field. Since the quote came in $4-5,000 higher than expected, a decision was tabled until the June meeting.

The roofs on the bathroom and east canopy at Steam Engine Park will be shingled. In addition, the posts will be replaced on the shelter. Rein is donating the posts to save costs.

Two zoning permits, one for Bryan Guber and one for Lynn Reichenn, were approved, with Rein confirming that “everything is good.” Guber is replacing the kitchen and porch roofs and the kitchen door on his property at 114 Maple St. S. Reichenn is replacing the shingled roof on the house and attached garage on her property at 106 Karli Dr.

Mayor Wilder thanked MiEnergy Cooperative for the $765 Operation Round Up grant to purchase a fit test kit and for their continued support.

The council received two quotes from Stryker Medical Service. Option one is preventive maintenance which covers labor and travel for an annual preventative maintenance inspection at a total cost of $2,376. The second option for a price of $14,200.95 includes all labor, travel time, and cost of parts for any repairs needed and an annual preventative maintenance inspection. Both are three-year contracts. The payment for option two can be split into annual payments. The council unanimously approved option two.

Mayor Wilder reported that the property inspections are completed. Twenty-six letters were sent out to property owners. A copy of the letter from the attorney was shared with the council.

The city was notified that the Energy Resources Corporation has asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to increase the natural gas rates. The proposed increase is approximately 9.91%, adding $8 to a typical resident’s bill.

EDA is meeting on Thursday, May 11.

Rein thanked the city for the sweeper, “It is amazing.”

Mayor Wilder called to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled Mabel City Council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14 at the Mabel Community Center, 201 South Main Street, Mabel. For questions, contact City Clerk Karen Larson at (507) s493-5299 or karen.larson@cityofmabel.com. The meeting is open to the public.