Photo courtesy of the City of Mabel
On Wednesday, April 12, at the Mabel City Council regularly scheduled council meeting, the board recognized the service, reliability, and dedication of Public Works Director Bob Mierau to the city. On March 16, Mierau celebrated his 25th anniversary with the city.
Prior to the council meeting a public hearing was held. The purpose of the hearing was to gather information and answer questions regarding the Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application. Carson Hackett with Davy Engineering provided an overview of the program and the scope of the project – watermain and street replacement. No one from the public attended the public hearing. During the council meeting the members authorized Davy Engineering to prepare and submit the CDBG and SCDP application and approved the resolution stating that the city is committed to providing matching funds.
Mayor Wilder called the regular meeting to order at 6:13 p.m.
Council members in attendance: Mayor Adam Wilder, Tina Bakke, Cory Wilson, and Kiersten Wyffels. Absent: Valerie Arnold.
The council unanimously approved the minutes from the March 8 regular city council meeting. Wyffels made a motion, seconded by Wilson, to pay the April bills totaling $151,456.20.
Katie Bergy will again serve as director for the six-week summer recreation program at $400 per week. Staff wages are: $10.59 for staff over 18, $8.63 for first-year staff under 18 years old, and $8.98/hour for second-year staff under 18 years old. Activities and costs will remain the same as last year. The swim bus will run again this year. It is free to ride with swimmers paying their own admission fee.
The council tabled making any decisions on the softball field, reroofing the Steam Engine Park bathrooms and shelter, and replacing the Steam Engine Park shelter canopy legs until the May meeting as there are still unanswered questions. Larson mentioned that Mayor Wilder has volunteered to roof the two structures in July or August; thus, the only cost to the city is the cost of materials.
Reminders
Cleanup Day is Saturday, May 13, from 8 a.m. to noon at the WTTP. The rates remain the same as last year.
Recreational vehicle permits (orange sticker) are due by May 1. The stickers are good from May 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024.
April 20 has been designated Tornado Drill Day. Ther will be a drill at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.
Public works will flush the hydrants the week of April 24 and compost pickup begins May 1.
The Fillmore County household hazardous waste collection is scheduled for May 2 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the resource recovery center in Preston.
The council accepted EDA’s recommendation to cancel the EDA phone since there is not an EDA coordinator. Larson mentioned that she had not heard the phone ring in some time. Wyffels noted that all EDA loans are current.
The recently purchased 2011 Elgin Pelican street sweeper from MacQueen Equipment, St. Paul, Minn., will be delivered either this Friday or next week. “It certainly is an upgrade for your city. It is super nice, no hanging out the window,” said Director Mierau. “The sweeper will be a nice machine for your city and for quite a few years.”
In other business, the council:
• Approved a zoning permit from Kelly Sand to do work on his kitchen, door, and windows at 205 South Maple. The work will be completed by Sand.
• Accepted Mierau recommendation to “opt-in,” MiEnergy Cooperative’s consumer owned generator load management program for 2023.
• Approved a temporary liquor license for the Mabel Lions Club.
• Approved the value exerciser lease agreement. The total cost is $800 for five consecutive working days.
• Adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled Mabel City Council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at the Mabel Community Center, 201 South Main Street, Mabel. 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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