The consent agenda was approved and included the minutes of the June meeting, the claims and June checks, the cash in CD and cash balances.
City Engineer Brett Grabau presented the proposal for design and bidding services for the wastewater treatment plant UV project. The plans include a new building for the system. The council reviewed the proposal and approved it. The council also approved pay request #22 in the amount of $130,964.12 for the 2024 street and utility project.
Bill Spitzer from Rolling Hills Transit addressed the council. He explained the importance of accessible public transport especially in rural areas. Rolling Hills Transit offers affordable rides in Fillmore, Olmsted, Dodge, Winona and Houston counties which can be arranged by calling the service at 1 (800) 528-7622. All of the buses are handicap accessible and can be ridden by anyone who needs a ride to work, school, medical appointments, shopping, and more. Spitzer asked the council if they would consider helping to support the transit program as it’s an essential service that is needed by many people. The council approved a resolution for $10,000 for Rolling Hills Transit.
Sixteen of the 20 identified nuisance properties in Harmony have been corrected, but upon another review, it was found that four have not. The next step in the process would be to serve a notice of violation and then a public hearing to discuss abatement of the nuisance properties. The EDA is looking into ways to remediate the situations in the best way possible for the city and the property owners. The council approved a motion to move forward with the next steps. They also reviewed a nuisance destruction order for a property that has a weed called Japanese Knotweed which is on the noxious weed list requiring eradication by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. There has been very little communication from the property owner regarding the matter. The council approved a motion to send a letter of notice of destruction after which the owner will have seven days to remove the weeds.
City Clerk Sam Grabau submitted a letter of resignation effective August 23 to allow her to serve fully as the Harmony Ambulance director. “While I am stepping back from this role, I am happy to continue serving as the Harmony Ambulance Director and providing for our communities,” she said in her letter. The council accepted her resignation and approved a motion to advertise for the position. They also reviewed a request from Grabau regarding the ambulance director pay for a total of 10-15 hours a week plus on-call hours and runs. Grabau asked for a monthly salary of $1,000 plus the typical $2 an hour on-call stipend. The council approved the request with council member Jesse Grabau abstaining.
The personnel committee recently completed Finance Clerk Karen Apenhorst’s six-month review and recommended taking her off of probation and increasing her pay. The council approved the recommendation.
A sinkhole about eight feet deep and 10-12 feet wide has opened up in the waterway behind the fire hall. It will be filled with clay in the bottom.
The Harmony EDA recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. The bike trail extension project is going well and nearly 50 people attended the groundbreaking in May.
Harmony Chamber President Erica Thilges reported that the fourth of July celebration went well with the weather cooperating for the parade and fireworks. The golf tournament was also a success. A part-time assistant for the Chamber was hired for the summer.
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