The regular meeting of the Spring Grove City Council, July 21, 2020, held at the Fest building. Due to COVID-19, the public was able to dial in.
All members of the Spring Grove City Council were in attendance: Sarah Schroeder, Karen Folstad, Travis Torgerson, Scott Solberg, and Chad Roland.
The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, including minutes from the regular June 16, 2020, meeting and the following two resolutions: Resolution 20-36 accepted a monetary gift of $9,000 from Spring Grove Communications for Q3 2020 library services, and 3. Resolution 20-37 Authorizing Transfer of Funds $98.09 from the sewer infrastructure fund to the sewer fund; $37,500 from the General Fund to the EDA fund and $51,500 from the General Fund to the Library Fund.
Old Business
Administrator Julie Amundson presented the cost of online payment networks that would allow residents of the city to pay their utility bill online. The Payment Service Network, Inc. (PSN) would have an one time fee of $200.00 for Service Implementation Fee, one time Website Customization Fee of $50.00, a monthly maintenance fee of $300.00, and annual Security Compliance Fee of $89.00. There would also be a transaction fee of $1.95 for payment from checking/savings account or $3.99 for a credit/debit card transaction fee with a maximum payment of $300.00. This service would post payments to Banyon Data System, which is the current billing system used in the office. The cost of setting up the PSN Web Pay System in the current Banyon Data System would be a one time cost of $1,490.00. Another option available is through Govpaynet.com, which does not cost the city anything, but a transaction fee would be charged to the user. After much discussion, the Council directed Administrator Amundson to check into the Govpay.net and bring to the August meeting.
New Business
Scott and Jacqui VanMinsel submitted a request to the city council to hold a 15-minute fireworks display following a graduation party on their property, 336 South Division Ave, at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 1. The council approved VanMinsel’s request contingent that VanMinsels notify the neighbors and the fire chief, and that there is not a burning ban in effect.
The council reviewed the plans for the Fire Station Expansion Project. It was confirmed that the addition should last 50 years. After a lengthy discussion focused on the design of the expansion and how to pay for the project, the council authorized the next step, preparing documents to go out for bid.
The conversation regarding COVID-19 continues.
City council members agreed that city employees could open the doors to the city office, allowing residents to enter while ensuring the safety of staff and residents. If the staff does not feel they are safe from COVID-19, they have the council’s approval to lock the doors; thus requiring visitors to knock on the doors for assistance.
It was agreed that the park benches and picnic tables should be left in storage since half the summer is over.
The council approved allocating $30,000 of the $97,264 Relief Funds Received for COVID-19 Expenditures to Spring Grove Public Schools for needed COVID-19 technology.
The council approved replacing the gutters on the log cabin for a total of $750.
The council approved moving Ed Asner Day to coincide with the International Film Festival.
Administrator Amundson stated that the city budget is at 50% of the year and that it has “Been pretty much as normal.”
The council scheduled a 2021 budget workshop on July 30 at 6 p.m. at the Fest building.
Mayor Schroeder reminded the council members that the city council election filing period is July 28, 2020, through August 11, 2020, for Schroeder, Folstad, and Torgerson.
EDA committee members Schroeder and Torgerson shared with the council that EDA discussed the possibility of purchasing the Harold building to use as possible office space for EDA and chamber of commerce at their last meeting.
At the May 11, 2020, Parks and Recreation meeting, the board discussed the removal of four walnut trees in Trollskogen Park. The parks remain closed due to suggestions from the League of Minnesota Cities because of the COVID-19 virus.
The next regular meeting is August 18 at 6 p.m. at the Fest building. The public is invited to dial-in. Contact City Hall at (507) 498-5221 to be included in remote meetings.