The Mabel City Council met in regular session June 13, with all members in attendance (Liz Folstad, Gary Morken, Mayor James Westby, City Clerk Karen Larson, Terry Torkelson, and Kirsten Wyffels). The council heard from Curt Marx (Davy Engineering) regarding the city’s manhole upgrade project. Marx explained, “I wish I had good news to report. We authorized Municipal Pipe Tool last October to do some additional sanitary sewer lining,… Rural Development agreed to fund it, it’s all grant dollars… Municipal Pipe Tool did come in starting in November or December, and cleaned and televised the sewers, and no one has come back since… The substantial completion date for the project is June 29… They cannot get their subcontractor to come in. He hasn’t come in to do it, and quite frankly, I don’t think he’s going to. So the project is not going to get done by June 29, and the funding agency is aware of this.”
Marx said this particular subcontractor has a history of this type of performance, and it leaves the city in a tough position. The overall contractor, Municipal Pipe Tool, will have representatives in town to meet with Marx on June 14, and MPT is proposing to make a change to the project whereby instead of replacing the manholes, they would line them. Marx explained this would need to be approved by the city and by Rural Development. He also added that if Rural Development does not approve this change, the grant funds will likely be lost.
Larson shared information about the list of Fillmore County Tax Forfeited properties. She explained the only item listed within Mabel is 104 Fillmore Street. It was discussed that if the council takes no action, the property will transfer to the county. After discussion, the council chose to allow this.
The council discussed whether or not the fire department should continue to fill swimming pools for a fee. This has traditionally been done, but council members said it creates some challenges, including how best to set a fee that is equitable. Torkelson voiced his opinion that if Mabel stops this service, it will feel “cold” rather than helpful. It was pointed out that if a fire truck is outside of city limits to fill a pool, this could slow down response to if a fire broke out in the city. The council voted to continue to allow the fire department to fill pools, at the current rate of $12.24 per thousand gallons used, plus a $25 delivery fee. The council also decided this will only be offered within city limits, and a waiver form must be signed beforehand.
The council considered whether or not to pay to have the city sprayed to kill mosquitos. It was brought up that a sprayer from northern Iowa has sprayed in several other towns, with very good results (killing 97% to 98% of the mosquitos). He generally sprays each city three to five times per year, at an annual cost around $3,000. It was also pointed out that the spray is not dangerous to humans, and can be sprayed on the skin. The council voiced an interest in possibly having the city sprayed in the early fall (as a trial run), if a price is obtained and acceptable. No action was taken at this time.
The council voted to increase the Fire Relief Pension annual amount, from $700 to $750. It was mentioned that in the future this amount can be adjusted, up or down, depending on investment results. The council approved zoning permits from five property owners for various projects, and approved a $76,000 pay request from Tollefson Construction regarding the incubator building. Heidi Jones addressed the council regarding her candidacy for county auditor/treasurer, and gave a summary of her background and experience. The council also heard from Jean Ingvalson, regarding a request to allow barricades to block off the street for a portion of July 9 for an auction at the store owned by Jean and Terry. The council approved this request.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. The next regular meeting will be July 11, at 7 p.m. at the community center. The public is welcome.
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