The January 13 Peterson City Council meeting began with the taking of oaths from returning Mayor Tim Hallum and new Councilors Tracy Seelbinder and Chris Stenzel. In addition to the council, Clerk Chris Grindland, and Public Works Director Rick Lee, six citizens also attended the meeting.
Resident Pete Erickson addressed the council regarding the recent sale of the side lot property, adjacent to his Main Street and Fillmore Street residence. The property is in non-compliance with city ordinances and has been cited and fined. It was purchased by AJ Jenkins.
“It was bought out Friday night,” noted Erickson. “He bought out everything. I’d like to waive some of these fines. It’s getting out of hand.”
Everything will be removed from the property. Jenkins stated the removal equipment is already in town and he anticipates having it done by week’s end. Hallum will inspect the property following cleanup and discuss the matter with the council at the next meeting. “We’ll go from there,” said Hallum.
Sharon and Gerald Horton also addressed the council on behalf of Everett Evenson and similar fines for his property. The property has seen substantial cleanup, as noted previously by the council, but a school bus remains parked on it and is non-compliant. “We cleaned up all we could at the moment. Why are we being pushed to try and get that bus out?” asked Sharon Horton. “He said in four years he hopes to get a shed up and then move things out of the bus.”
“We waived fines a year ago and made it clear at that meeting that we wouldn’t waive them anymore. That’s why you’re still seeing fines. If it’s gonna be four years, he will still get charges.”
Gerald Horton opposed the city implementing further fines and stated that Evenson needs time to get money set aside for the construction. “If you do that, he said he’s going to start charging for that [electrical] pole on his property. Nothing on that pole is hooked up at his property. He talked to a lawyer and the lawyer agreed that from the time he took over the property, he can charge for the pole. He also doesn’t want them plowing where the city’s got access to. He’s a little fed up with it. It’s not right,” he added.
The City of Peterson owns the pole in question and the easement access on an alley to utilities on the hill behind the property. Hallum suggested Evenson meet with himself and city staff. Grindland reminded all in attendance that during the time for public comment, the council does not have to respond to concerns. Instead, the council researches the facts and to form a response at a later time.
Annual designations and appointments were also made at the meeting. All designations remain the same for 2021.
Acting mayor, in the event of Hallum’s absence, will be Councilor Dave Colbenson. Acting clerk/treasurer will again be Councilor Gail Boyum with Grindland, Seelbinder and Stenzel making up the Finance Committee. Boyum and resident John Erickson will continue to serve as the Musuem Committee. Colbenson expressed an interest in serving on the city’s Planning Commission, if former Councilor Loren Rue no longer wishes to serve in that role. Once the city knows Rue’s decision, it will make the appointment. Other appointments are as follows: Colbenson to Electric Committee, Boyum to Parks, Stenzel to Water, Seelbinder to Streets.
Utility rate and fee schedule will remain the same except for expected changes in garbage collection, which residents were already aware of. “We received very few changes on tote sizes,” noted Grindland regarding the city’s change in providers. “I think it went very smoothly. I’ve gotten resident comments about the quick, automated service.”
One addition to the agenda was a call from Boyum for residents to participate in the US Census, should it reopen again this year to continue where it was stopped in 2020. According to Boyum, the city museum, which also serves as the tourism center, was’t eligible to receive Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Safety Act funding. After contacting Fillmore County’s Economic Development Authority to determine why, Boyum said because the city’s last population count was 199, if fell below the minimum of 200 people required for funding.
“I know we’re more than 199. We’re more than we were 10 years ago,” said Boyum. “I don’t think the census is finished. If it reopens, we need to make sure every citizen is counted so we qualify for these things.”
An update on the museum fundraising project was also provided. The current amount is now $49,300 of the $60,000 needed for construction of a new annex to house additional materials.
Next month, the council will address previously tabled issues including a welcome sign design and traffic complaints on Park Street.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Wednesday, February 10, at 6 p.m., at city hall. It is open to the public and attendees are welcome to attend in person or virtually by contacting city hall.
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