At the June 12 Mabel City Council meeting, Public Works Director Robert (Bob) Mierau and City Clerk Karen Larson stressed the importance of Mabel residents completing a short inventory survey.
According to a public notice, “The City of Mabel is working to complete an inventory of all service lines within the water system as part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and copper rule Revisions Program (LCRR). The goal of the inventory is to identify any lead service line connections in the water system.”
Larson explained that a flyer will be sent to residents, asking residents to fill out an online survey online, bit.ly/mabel-inventory, or return the survey included with the flyer along with a photo of their water service line connection. The survey can be dropped off in the utility drop box at city hall. If residents have any questions, they are asked to call city hall at (507) 493-5299.
Mayor Adam Wilder called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. In addition to Mayor Wilder, council members Kirsten Wyffels, Cory Wilson and Tina Bakke were present. Councilor Valerie Arnold was absent.
The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda, the minutes from the May 8 regularly scheduled meeting and the May 23 public meeting, as well as the financial reports, disbursements, and claims, as presented.
Cristal Adkins, proprietor of Mabel House Hotel, presented her case before the council, urging them to consider her request to pay a fair amount for the hotel’s water usage. She explained that her April bill amounted to $1,375.53 as compared to an average of $492.48 recorded over the past four years. Mierau reported that he ran a test at the hotel and confirmed that the mechanical meter is functioning properly, emphasizing that all water usage must pass through the meter. Adkins mentioned her intention to install a secondary meter. This isn’t the first time she’s received an exorbitant bill; a similar incident occurred in October 2021. The council tabled Adkins’ request until the July meeting.
There being no old business, Mayor Wilder promptly moved on to new business.
Earlier this year, the city conducted property inspections and sent 15 letters to residents. In June, city staff re-inspected the properties and five were found to be in compliance. The council agreed that six of the violators will be granted additional time to comply because it is either their first offense or they have contacted the city to discuss their plans, while the remaining four will receive citations.
The council approved the fire relief form SC-24 and approved cashing in the fire relief certificate of deposit and depositing it in the fire relief savings account. The fire relief pension increase was tabled until the July meeting, as well as resolution #2024-06 a resolution opting to join the statewide volunteer firefighter plan.
In other business, the council:
•Approved zoning permits for Mike Aasum, Cole Kleppe, Ronda and Leroy Brand, Terry and Jean Ingvalson, and Loretta Lillegraven.
•Accepted the estimate from Big T’s to paint the two community center meeting rooms. The total cost is $6,700.
•Unanimously approved the hiring of Sharra Liptack as the city’s new librarian.
• Approved Larson’s recommendation to increase the hourly wage for every library employee by $1.
• Tabled the public use of cannabinoids resolution until the July meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
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