Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
Eitzen Mayor Jeffrey Adamson welcomed the council’s guests to the May 9 regularly scheduled city council meeting. Resident Cathie Scheeler expressed her frustration, “We are here because we thought the city was going to provide a dog park. As we stand now, we do not have a dog park because a dog park has to be an area where people can freely let their dogs off the lease to run and have good times. Our dog park has two sides that any dog of any size can get through and two gates that are totally inadequate.”
Her husband, Jack Scheeler, added that the gates should be gone. One of the gates does not even open. Jack invited the mayor to come down and look at the park when he has time. The mayor noted that the city purchased the materials to make the improvements, and now that the weather is better, the city will get it installed, hopefully, by the end of the month.
Cathie Scheeler strongly said, “If it’s not going to happen, we will take down the signs and won’t have a dog park. The mayor reminded the guests that the city had completed the improvements that were first discussed, adding, “We all agree that this is a work in progress and will make it better than it is.”
The council unanimously approved the April 11 city council meeting minutes and the April financial statements.
Council members in attendance include Mayor Adamson and councilmembers Emily Burrichter, Mitch Lange and Mitch Luttchens. Not in attendance, Doug Meyer.
In addition to the Scheelers, others in attendance were a third resident, Todd Hultgren; Darryl Meyer, city maintenance; and City Clerk Steve Schuldt.
The city received four estimates (A, B, C, and D) for the Main Street sidewalk extension project. The mayor confirmed that the bids are for the same footage, 500’ X 5”; everything is the same. The plan is to extend the sidewalk to the end of town. The plans to get on the schedule after the Fourth of July. Meyer added that the city will finish the landscaping and confirmed that the estimates included the base. Meyer recommended going with the first estimate as he was familiar with their work. The council unanimously accepted the first estimate. Mayor Adamson said, “We will have sidewalks all the way through town. First time ever.” Burrichter added, “It will be very well received.”
The community center remodel project continues to move forward. Estimates have been received that range from $50,000 to $80,000. The mayor explained that work on the community center will not occur until late fall or early winter, so it does not interfere with events scheduled at the center.
A letter will be sent from the city on June 1 announcing the water meter project. Two more letters will follow, asking residents to call and schedule an appointment with the contractor. The project will start on July 10 and end two weeks later, with staff receiving training on August 1. Schuldt noted that the process is pretty thorough, and the mayor expects everything to go smoothly. Meyer confirmed that all the meters are inside.
In other business, the council:
• Approved an exempt raffle permit for the Eitzen Lions Club.
• Approved a liquor license for the Eitzen Lions Family Fun Fest.
• Approved the Minnesota joint powers agreement, which allows Eitzen to work with other government organizations.
• Approved a building permit for Matt Schwartzhoff to build a garage.
• Adjourned the meeting at 6:48 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Eitzen City Council is Tuesday, June 13, at 6 p.m., at the Eitzen City Hall (next to the fire station), 202 East Main Street, Eitzen. Contact Steve Schuldt, City Clerk, at (507) 495-3017 or eitzen@acegroup.cc. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Leave a Reply