Mabel parking ticket crackdown

On March 13, the Mabel City Council held a regular city council meeting, with all members in attendance (Adam Wilder, Gary Morken, City Clerk Karen Larson, Mayor Jim Westby, Kirsten Wyffels and Terry Torkelson). 

As discussed at a previous council meeting, the city continues to have a number of citizens with unpaid parking tickets.  Mabel has issued 22 parking tickets this winter, and 12 remain unpaid.  After consultation with the sheriff’s department, a new process is being implemented.  Karen Larson shared information that a parking ticket in Mabel carries a total fee of $25.  She explained this is a “city ticket” based on Mabel’s ordinance.  But she said if not paid within 30 days, the original ticket will be dismissed, and the sheriff’s department will then issue a state ticket, which is a misdemeanor, and carries a fee of $25, plus additional fees of roughly $90, bringing the total cost to about $115.  Regarding the state ticket, Larson said, “When it’s a misdemeanor, if you don’t pay,… you could eventually have a warrant out for your arrest.”  She encouraged that all parking tickets get paid timely, to avoid excess fees and charges. 

Three high school sophomore students addressed the council.  Lauren Wyffels, Colton Heintz-Kuderer and Natalie Murray came to request approval for an annual event.  Colton explained, “So we are here to ask you if we can have permission to use the streets and the Steam Engine grounds for our annual Prom 5K fundraiser on May 11.”  He added that they would also ask to have the use of the community center in case of inclement weather.  Lauren said the request is for 4-8 p.m. on the day of the event, adding, “We’re doing a dinner dash, so we have the run at 5 p.m., and then the meal will start at 5:30 and go until 7.”  The council voted to approve the request.

Regarding the recent implementation of late fees for overdue utility bills, Larson shared data showing that the first penalties were applied March 4, and that 44 accounts incurred a penalty, ranging from $1.61 to $55.63, with a total of $834.49 in penalties.  She added that 96 accounts (roughly 44% of all accounts) have signed up for ACH automatic payment.

Pet licensing was discussed.  Approximately half of the pets licensed in 2018 are now licensed for 2019.  City staff continue to ask citizens when feasible, but pet owners are encouraged to come in and pay the $10 fee to avoid any penalty.

Regarding the water main project, Public Works Director Jeff Rein stated, “We’ve been checking out services.  We’ve got roughly eight blocks that we’re going to have to switch over from four-inch to six-inch, and we’re getting an estimate.”  He was asked where the four-inch service is, and said most of it is on Oak Street. 

The council discussed whether or not to again contract for spraying in the city to control mosquitos.  It was pointed out that last year, Mabel had spraying only for roughly the second half of the summer season.  There were mixed opinions on whether any difference was noted after spraying.  Gary Morken stated his opinion that, “To me, it’s a waste of money… I think the money would be better spent trying to figure out how to de-water some of our town.”  Mayor Westby suggested getting input from citizens as to whether or not they noticed a decrease in mosquitos after the spraying.  It was also suggested that Mabel could do an informal poll on the city’s Facebook page to garner feedback.  No formal action was taken at this time.

The council discussed, and approved, a request for Mabel to send a letter of support for the Venture SE MN Diversification Loan Fund.  Larson explained that, “It’s obviously not costing Mabel anything to show our support.”  A reminder was given regarding the firemen’s dance, set for March 22, with social hour at 6 p.m., meal at 7 p.m., and the dance at 8 p.m.  The council’s next regular meeting will be April 10, at 7 p.m. at the community center.  The public is welcome.