At the July 10 Mabel City Council meeting, the board unanimously passed resolution number 2024-07 concerning the public use of cannabinoids. This resolution aligns with Fillmore County’s ordinance number 20240423, which governs the use of cannabinoids in public places.
Mayor Adam Wilder called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
In addition to Mayor Wilder, council members Kirsten Wyffels, Cory Wilson, Tina Bakke and Valerie Arnold were present.
Staff present included City Clerk Karen Larson and Public Works Director Robert (Bob) Mierau. Also in attendance was Mitch Assum, Assum Electric.
The minutes from the June 12 city council meeting and the financial reports were approved as written.
Cristal Adkins’ request regarding Mabel House Hotel, dated May 30, was denied after the council approved waiving the late fees. Due to the hotel’s exorbitant water bill in April, Adkins had asked the council to allow her to pay an amount more in line with the hotel’s four-year average for the month of April.
The council approved the Mabel Fire Department’s request to increase the Fire Relief Pension from $750 to $900 annually. Wilder and Wilson abstained from voting since they are members of the Mabel Fire Department. The increase takes effect January 1, 2025.
The fire department’s request to join the Statewide Volunteer Firefighter plan was approved. The only change was the increase in the firefighters’ annual pension.
The council endorsed the appointment of election judges for the primary election on August 13, including Head Election Judges Kendra Spalla and Dee Ann Erickson, along with Larry Gifford, Sandra Christoper, Linda Turner and Alternate Judge Myrna Wilson.
Mayor Wilder announced that Mabel Canton Community Night Out will take place on Tuesday, August 6, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Mabel Community Center. Mayor Wilder explained that there will be food inside and games outside. Live music by Sandy Christopher and the popular Moo-Mobile will be located on the south side of the community center. Attendees are encouraged to check out the police car, fire truck, and ambulance to learn how they work. The event is made possible by the Mabel Area Promoters, Mabel BP, Mabel Lions Club, Mabel Fire Department, and the City of Mabel.
The council instructed city staff to explore acquiring a backup generator for the community center. The city has ARPA funds that must be spent by the end of the year, and a backup generator is a qualifying expense.
The city is selling a 2015 red Polaris Ranger 900 UTV (utility task vehicle) with 538 miles/06.9 hours. The UTV was used by the fire department. Bids must be received at city hall by 12 p.m., Monday, August 12. The council will review the bids at the August 14 city council meeting. Vehicle inspections are by appointment only.
Larson announced that the city received a donation of $1,000 from the Canton American Legion for the summer recreation program. The council expressed their thanks to the American Legion for their generous donation.
Larson informed the council that Wright Computers in Decorah recommended replacing city computers older than five years. The city owns six computers, three desktop computers and three laptops. She mentioned that replacing the city’s three desktop computers would cost around $3,500.00 and proposed including this expense in next year’s budget.
In other business:
•The council approved an off-site gambling permit for the Mabel Fire Relief Association.
•Zoning permits for Gjere Construction and Mabel business Association were approved.
•No action was taken on the property inspections. Larson said that the biggest frustration is the lack of communication.
•Temporary liquor licenses were approved for the Mabel Lions Club, Mabel Fire Department and the Hesper Mabel Area Historical Society.
On behalf of EDA, Wyffels reported that all the loans are current, which is good. The committee is designing a how-to brochure for new businesses.
Mierau reported on seven different topics including a meeting with a representative from the League of Minnesota Cities regarding all of the city properties to ensure that everything is listed on the city’s insurance policy, lead and copper survey, a conversation with Davey Engineering and three county staff regarding powerline trimming, the city’s water project and the county’s Highway 34 repaving projects, a request to light up the Steam Engine, and the three street patch works.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
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