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At the April 10 meeting, the Peterson Council discussed the proposed purchase of new light pole banners. The current 10 banners are worn and several have been taken down already. Councilor Gail Boyum suggested the city replace the banners with two new sets – one for late spring through fall and the other in the winter.
“We’re seeming to become the gnome capital of Minnesota,” enthused Boyum. “We’re thinking of a theme with gnomes.”
A quote from Midwest Banner of Champlin, Minn., for $1,982 would cover all 30-inch by 60-inch vinyl banners and shipping. The timeline to get the banners is two weeks after ordering. If any mounting brackets are broken, Boyum noted the company will fix them at no charge. The life span of the banners is approximately 8-10 years, more given the city will alternate them seasonally.
Councilor Justin Simon questioned Boyum briefly about other local companies doing similar work. She noted Midwest Banner focuses on this type of product and sells nationwide.
“This is what they do,” she added.
“I just don’t like gnomes,” responded Simon, garnering chuckles from the council. “I just some other people are going to be like, ‘That is… no… no.’ I know we need tourism, but when you’ve got everyone in town being like, ‘I don’t want this’ because we represent them, too. I just know there’s going to be a big handful of people that will be like, ‘What the heck?’”
“I think they’re unique,” said Councilor Tracy Seelbinder, noting other cities that taut their Nordic heritage. “It’s cool looking. You want to see what it’s about.”
The banner funding will come from the city’s Campground Fund, generated by fees paid by visiting tourists, rather than tax dollars.
“That makes me feel better,” noted Simons, who did agree that they need to be replaced.
The council approved the new banners in a 4:1 vote with Simons opposed.
In other news, two young vandals caused damage to the press box structure at the city’s park near the softball field, smashing the two windows. According to City Clerk Chris Grindland, they can be seen on Ring doorbell video footage. The incident was reported to the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department.
There’s been progress on the Veteran’s Memorial at the museum. According to Grindland, the monument has been moved and the pavers have been laid down. An arbor is also being constructed. There are currently no plans for a grand reveal, but he imagines there will be at a later date.
The city learned it will take a couple of years, possibly even three, to get its water improvement project moved up the list of requests to the state. Boyum noted a notice from Senator Jeremy Miller’s office after the recent visit to the capitol details the process to get Public Facilities Authority (PFA) approval.
“It’s not a one-year process. You have to get PFA-listed,” she explained. “As your item is decided and determined, if critical, you move up slowly. We just have to stay with it.”
Seelbinder, who also attended the capitol day, explained the process more. “Once you’re on the list, they do an inspection. The inspection for this year has probably been done,” he said. “Until some point we move up the list and they come and inspect, that would be for the following year, so yeah, we’re a couple of years out.”
Lastly, Mayor Chris Stenzel asked the council to look at properties after April 27 to determine which appear out of compliance with ordinances. “Hopefully, it gets them motivated,” he noted. After the walk-around, letters will be sent to properties out of compliance. If no changes are made, a second letter from the city is sent with a deadline date. After that point, and another deadline date, fines start accruing at $100 per day per citation.
Boyum suggested the city could use the city truck to collect items at residents’ properties for a fee. The property owners would have to have collected the non-compliant items ahead of time and would need to load the dump truck. The city would then take the full truck to the county dump. She further suggested some sort of agreement be reviewed by the city attorney and written up before the city agrees to pick up items and that property owners could pay in advance of pick up to ensure the fee is collected.
“In two days, it’ll cost them $200 if they aren’t cleaning it up. You’d be helping them do that,” said Boyum. “It’s a friendly way for us to help.”
“I would like to emphasize, that we’re giving them until the 27th, then we’ll walk around,” reminded Stenzel.
“The city’s always had a long history of working with residents,” added Clerk Grindland. “A fine is a last resort. If there’s progress, we don’t fine.”
“By offering this service, too, we’re giving another option,” added Stenzel.
“After that point, there’s no excuse,” concluded Councilor Kristina Grindland.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Wednesday, May 8, at 6 p.m. at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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