The Mabel City Council met in regular session Wednesday April 13, from 6-7:37 p.m. at the Mabel Community Center.
Council members in attendance included Mayor Jim Westby, Terry Torkelson, Kirsten Wyffels (call-in), Adam Wilder, and Cory Wilson.
The council unanimously approved the minutes from the March 9 regular city council meeting and the accounts payable report.
Others in attendance include Public Works Director Jeff Rein and City Clerk Karen Larson.
The council approved two zoning permits, one for Carl Westby (window replacement) and Danny and Janet Sanden (doors).
Larson explained that she did not know what energy rate to charge for the EV Chargers and asked the council to table the decision giving her a time to gather more information.
The council approved Larson’s recommendations for the 2022 Summer Recreation program. Katie Bergy has agreed to run the six-week program again this year and will receive $400 per week. Helpers over 18 years of age will be paid $10.33 per hour (2022 minimum wage) and if the help is under 18 years of age and it is their first year, they will receive $8.42 per hour. If it is their second year, youth will receive an additional 35 cents an hour for a total of $8.77 per hour. The prices for activities will remain the same as last year with a cap for families of $85 for Mabel residents and $110 for residents outside of Mabel. There will be no charge to ride the swim bus and it will run eight Friday afternoons this summer.
Mabel Ambulance received $1,000 from MiEnergy Cooperative’s Operation Round-up to upgrade pagers. The funding is a result of MiEnergy members’ rounding up their monthly electric bill to the next dollar.
Each year the city is required to sign the 2022 MiEnergy Cooperative’s Consumer Owned Generator Load Management Program 2022 indicating whether they plan participate in the program or not. In 2021, Mabel saved approximately $30,00 by opting in. The council approved opting in again this year.
Larson shared that the 2021 audit conducted by Hacker-Nelson, “looks good” and mentioned that Hacker-Nelson does a thorough job. The only note was the sewer plant which, according to Larson, happens every year. The last big payment on the sewer plant is in 2023 and by 2024 the sewer plant numbers will look better.
The Mabel Business Association and Mabel Lions Club discussed at their Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Day’s organizational meeting doing some work on the building at the Steam Engine grounds. In addition to talking about moving the beer tent and entertainment to the grounds, festival organizers make improvements to their building by replacing the rocks where the current seating area is, with concrete. The upgrade will not cost the city anything as the Lions received a generous donation that should cover the costs, plus organizers are holding a raffle to make sure all the costs are covered. Wilder announced that Molly B has been signed to perform on Saturday afternoon and the committee will be announcing soon the Saturday evening band.
After touring the town, the names, addresses, and photos of properties that need to be cleaned up were sent to the City Attorney Greg Schieber’s office. Schieber will be sending out letters informing the owners that their properties are in violation of the city’s ordinance. He will include the community clean-up day flyer with the letter. Mayor Westby stressed, “The city is done messing around. If they do not clean it up, we will be going to court.”
Both Bank of the West and Merchants Bank were approached regarding a loan for the new ambulance. After hearing both offers, the council approved Merchants Bank offer with a 3.99% interest rate and a six-year term.
The election judges for the special primary election on May 24 are head judges Kendra Spalla and Dee Ann Erickson. Judges are Linda Turner, Larry Grifford, Sandra Christopher, and alternate Chris Hanson. The resolution spells out the wages, “Election judges shall be paid at a rate of $10.00 per hour, the head judge will receive $12.00 per hour, with the exception of Kendra Spalla who will receive her hourly rate of pay.”
The council approved publishing the watermain replacement projects’ Request for Qualifications (RFQ). According to the RFQ, the purpose of the project to replace existing deficient undersized watermain pipes.
A thank you was noted to the Mabel Legion Post 299 for donating 24 new flags for Main Street and thank you to the Mabel Business Association for paying for the flower baskets that are hung on the light poles on Main Street.
Reminders
The council was reminded that Cleanup Day is May 7 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTTP). It was noted in last month’s meeting minutes that the procedure and pricing will remain the same as last year with residents unloading their own stuff. Hydrant fFlushing is April 25-29 and compost pick-up begins May 2. Do not forget to get your Recreational Vehicle Permits before May 1.
The next regularly scheduled Mabel City Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 11 at 6 p.m. at the Mabel Community Center, 201 South Main Street, Mabel. For questions, contact City Clerk Karen Larson at (507) 493-5299 or karen.larson@cityofmabel.com. The meeting is open to the public.
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