Mabel Mayor Adam Wilder announced at the city council’s July 12 regularly scheduled meeting that the Mabel-Canton Community Night Out is scheduled for August 1 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. It promises to be a fun evening!
Since the city’s budget process is scheduled to start soon, Sheriff John DeGeorge addressed the council regarding the policing services contract between the city and the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department. Going forward the city will pay an hourly rate for policing services which he noted that they have been doing for the last couple of years. This change is necessary since the department does not have part-time officers and he does not expect that there will ever be part-time officers again. DeGeorge emphasized that the city or residents will not notice any changes plus it will make it much easier for the clerk and for budgeting. He explained that his department reviewed the costs and came up with an hourly figure of $61.00. That rate was then compared with the rates other departments in the area are currently charging, which range from $57.00 to $105.00 per hour. DeGeorge noted that this does not represent an increase. He also realizes that it is important to the city and its residents that they build a relationship with the officer, therefore the same officer will be assigned to Mabel during daytime hours.
Mabel resident Danny Marsden suggested that the city council consider making the alley by BP one way. He stated that the alley is not wide enough to accommodate two vehicles meeting in the alley; thus, causing vehicles to drive on private property. Deputy Jason Harmening shared his results from observing the traffic in the alleyway last fall. The results were also shared with the council at the December 14 meeting. Harmening emphasized that the survey was conducted in one-hour blocks on random days and times last fall for a total of 12 hours. Harmening summarized his findings: 41 north bound vehicles and 33 south bound vehicles were observed. On average 6.16 vehicles per hour travel the alley. He added that he only observed the meeting of two vehicles once in the alley during observation times. Marsden was thanked and informed that before next month’s city council meeting the city clerk Karen Larson will visit with the manager at BP to get their input. She will report back to the council at the August council meeting.
Mayor Wilder called the meeting of the Mabel City Council to order at 6 p.m. Council members in attendance included Mayor Wilder, Tina Bakke, Cory Wilson, Kiersten Wyffells, and Valerie Arnold.
The agenda and the minutes from the June 14 were approved as written. The council unanimously approved a motion to pay the bills totaling $228,897.44. Larson eagerly announced that the city made the last bond payment, $83,356.00, to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority.
Larson informed the council that the second letter regarding property inspections was sent to property owners via regular mail and a copy was sent by certified mail to ensure that the city knew the letter had been received. Property owners have until August 6 to get their property in compliance. Larson noted that photos will be taken before the next council meeting.
The council approved three zoning permits. 1) Bev and Norris Bakke, 305 N. Elm, shingle roof, repair existing fence, and basement windows with a projected completion date of June 2025. 2) Earl Mulqueen and Curt Myrah, 215 Main, windows, siding, roofing, and remodel which is projected to take two years to complete; and 3) Ross and Rachel Herok, 320 W. Melby Drive, replace the roof with a completion date of August 1, 2023.
In other business, the council:
• Agreed to follow the Fillmore County cannabinoid ordinance and revisit it next year.
• Reviewed the 2022 TIF report summary letter.
• Adjourned the meeting at 6:51 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled Mabel City Council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 9 at the Mabel Community Center, 201 South Main Street. For questions, contact City Clerk Karen Larson at (507) 493-5299 or karen.larson@cityofmabel.com. The meeting is open to the public.
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