The Mabel City Council held a regular council meeting on November 13. All members were present (Adam Wilder, Mayor Jim Westby, City Clerk/Treasurer Karen Larson, Gary Morken, Terry Torkelson, and Kirsten Wyffels).
Deputy Clerk Brooke Harmening addressed the council to ask them to consider approving a system in which citizens could make payments to the city using debit or credit cards. She explained, “I’ve been doing a little bit of research and I actually have something to propose that doesn’t cost the city any money, is my understanding.” The system she suggested is called GovPay, and she stated, “It’s actually designed for government, utilities, like ourselves.” She explained that if Mabel chooses to use GovPay, there would be a 1.95% fee to debit card users, and a 2.5% charge to credit card users.
Karen Larson shared that she checked to see how other cities have felt after using GovPay, saying, “There was a lot of responses, and I did not find any negative ones… it seems like it gives our customers a good option.” The system would allow customers to pay not only utility bills with debit of credit cards, but also zoning fees, permits and licenses. Harmening added, “And this way, I could actually take payments over the phone.” She said if the council chooses to use GovPay, and later wishes to stop, Harmening can cancel at any time. The council voted to approve offering GovPay as a payment option for citizens.
There was discussion regarding a property owner who recently seal-coated a driveway, and is asking the city to pay a portion of the cost, since it is also the access road to the city’s water tower. According to Larson, the total cost was $2,300, and the property owner asked Mabel to pay $1,000. Council members asked if there is currently any agreement between the property owner and the city regarding this, and Larson said there’s not. The consensus among the council was that, if the city is to pay a portion, it should be spelled out in an agreement beforehand. The city will ask the property owner to bring forward a proposed agreement, if he wishes. The council voted unanimously to deny the request for a payment of $1,000.
Jeff Rein brought up the previously discussed topic of possibly purchasing new snow tires, or tire chains, for the city’s payloader. He said that the crew feels new tires are the best option. He explained that the proposed tires would cost around $6,500, while chains would cost $4,800. But, he added, if new tires are bought, the city could potentially sell the old tires, possibly for around $1,000. Gary Morken said he felt chains were the better option, but the council voted to approve the tire purchase, with Morken as the only vote against.
Representing the Sheriff’s Department, Jason Harmening spoke to the council regarding the suggested purchase of a new squad car. He said after looking at the various makes and models available, as well as the per-mile costs of operations, and the potential trade-in value, his suggestion is a 2020 Dodge Ram. The council voted to approve this purchase.
Liquor and cigarette license renewals were approved, as follows: Mabel BP (off sale 3.2 and cigarettes), Mabel Liquor Store (on and off sale, and cigarettes), and Mabel American Legion (on sale club, Sunday, and off sale 3.2).
The council approved four zoning permit requests, including from Bonnie McGarvey (replacement of roofing and basement windows), Lee and Jane Senne (storage shed and new kitchen countertop), Pearl Holland (storage building), and Taylor Marsden (utility shed). The council also designated city hall as the official polling place for 2020.
Mayor Westby reminded citizens that Alternate Side Parking went into effect November 1. It applies only between the hours of 2-8 a.m. He said the sheriff’s department staff has been issuing warnings, but will now be giving tickets instead. The council’s next regular meeting will be December 11, at 7 p.m. at the community center. The public is welcome.
Leave a Reply