City of Dennison
Meeting minutes
October 3rd, 2024
The October Dennison City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Flaten on Thursday,
October 3rd, 2024 at 7:00 pm. Present were Councilors Diane Ruddle, Heidi Cooke, Nichole Schloesser, and clerk Jessica Page. Councilor Nygaard was unable to attend.
Councilor Ruddle moved to approve the Meeting Minutes from both the August and September City Council meetings. Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 4:0.
Councilor Schloesser moved to approve the Treasurer’s report. Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 4:0.
Old Business/Committee Reports/Building Permits:
Question on a building site from Dean Larson. There is a 5 acre parcel located on 10th Ave. of bare land which looks to be a buildable site. Dean explained where he would like to build a shed with living quarters. To build where he would like to, the parcel would need to be changed. Clerk sent email to the County to ask what that process would be to do that, but they hadn’t responded by the time of the meeting. Council was of the opinion that it was a buildable site, but a new survey would need to be done and they would need to know how Goodhue County would treat a change in the parcel before any formal approvals could be made.
Administrative Issues:
1. Brian Edwards, Nerstand Fire Department came to speak on parking issues in Dennison by the Fire station. He asked if the City could bump out the yellow area on the curb so the Firemen would have more space to park when responding to a call. They can get one vehicle in the driveway already, but really need two more spots. Council isn’t opposed to expanding the parking area in front of the building. Maybe ask Joe about helping expand the driveway as he directly benefits from not taking more parking spots off the street. Maybe Fire Dept could move the parking sign? Will look at possibilities and costs for this.
Deputy Goodall from the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Depart stopped by. He noted that thefts are still pretty high with the warmer weather. Otherwise nothing new. Council didn’t have any new issues to address.
2. Bryan Caffin was in attendance to answer questions relating to the Small Cities Development Program Income Survey. Unfortunately, there have been some changes in the City of Dennison's Low to Moderate Income percentage. With these newly reflected numbers, Bollig can no longer in good faith recommend that our city proceed with the SCDP Income Study. Bollig is recommending the City vote to rescind the task order. They were previously using the 2015 data, but then switched to the 2021 data, which moved the City’s higher, which meant that even if the Income Survey was completed, the City would most likely not qualify any longer. Councilor Ruddle move to rescind the vote to do the income study. Councilor Schloesser second. Motion passed 4:0.
Neal Wilson has asked to extend city water to his property (west of Dennison Meats). Bollig can help with that. Bryan asked if they City wanted to include that in the project scope to have it designed and funded? Or is it needed right away so there is no funding? There is no curb stop for the gas station. Maybe find a locator to find the copper pipe. Contact Rural water to see if we can find the line. Probably look at doing it as part of the infrastructure improvements. (Bryan was estimating the cost at around $30 per foot based on other projects they are working with.)
Regarding the notice that the City received regarding slightly elevated Radium levels from the water system. Bryan said they will work on amending the PER to include this information on the higher side, so if the results of testing are still high, we will have it in the report. There are another 2 quarterly tests that will be used and the average of 4 sets of tests is what will be used to determine if the City needs to do anything in regards to those levels. Clerk to send the notices to Bryan.
Bryan had spoken with Jess Greenwood. The County doesn’t think there is a need for a safer crossing. They want proof that people are actually crossing the street, as well as where do they naturally cross as when nothing is marked, people will cross where they feel it is safest. The County would need 8 different 72 hour time slots to see what the crossing rates are. Bollig encourages the City to do the legwork as it would be very expensive. Public health studies can reach out to the bussing companies, as well as parents of children. County would need letters to support that the community does actually want the crossings. So basically the City needs to prove the need for, and the local support for the crossing project. It was suggested that the City could to Steve Mathre about cameras, and does it catch people crossing? Mayer Flaten will do so. Councilor Cooke will talk to the bank.
Clerk asked Bryan how does the City update the lead water line report as there were a couple of lines that were marked unknown, but are actually known. Bryan will touch base with the clerk later in the week? It was also confirmed that the customer owns the service line from the curb stop to the building.
3. Todd Greseth, Goodhue County Commissioner had joined in the discussion regarding the intersection on Co Rd 9. When thinking about signage or lights to slow down traffic, you don’t want something going over the road with the tall farm equipment that goes through. He was sondering where would flashing lights go on the side of the road? On the building? Mayor Flaten asked about other Cities having the County be responsible for the Cannabis licensing. Todd said there were lLots of cities that were going to have the County do the Cannabis regulation.
4. Mayor Flaten requested $5000 from the Glen Taylor Foundation for small town grant to help with the costs of the emergency discharges this summer. He is still pursuing FEMA funds for the emergency discharges also. Mayor sent a letter in support of the Nerstrand Fire Department in their request for funds for a new rescue truck and extraction equipment from the same small town grant program.
5. Emails forwarded to the council from the city attorney regarding the Cannabis Delegation Agreement with Goodhue County. City Attorney reviewed the Consent Agreement with Goodhue County and would recommend the City sign it. Councilor Cooke move to accept the Goodhue County Cannabis Delegation Agreement. Councilor Schloesser second. Motion passed 4:0.
City attorney suggested the City may also want to adopt a new ordinance that can place additional restrictions on the use and sale of cannabis within the City. She provided a model ordinance from the Office of Cannabis Management (State of Minnesota). She would be willing to assist the City in drafting this new ordinance, otherwise we could put together a draft on our own and she could review it. Diane will look at Brittany’s ordinance that she sent and make it work for Dennison. Hopefully will be ready by the November meeting.
6. The city website: City Attorney reviewed the Catalis contract for our city website. She stated: “The Agreement that you signed doesn't allow for automatic renewal, but you agreed to an initial term of three years. So it won't be until 180 days before February 28th, 2027, that you can terminate the contract without being in breach.” So the City will continue to use the current website until the three years of the contract is up. Mayor Flaten will try to get some photos on to update it a little.
7. Tree work proposal submitted to the City from Toby Kayser. 1.) Remove 2 Ash trees next to the Fireside for $1,000 – $1,200. 2.) Remove 3 Spruce trees East of the Fireside for $1,000 -$1,200 (Arvid Larsons house).
City received a verbal estimate from John Miner to cut down and remove 6 Ash trees in town for $250 each. The two Ash trees by the Fireside, the Ash south of the well house and two Ash trees in the city boulevard East of the horseshoe pits and one Ash inside the city park (horseshoe pits).
Councilor Schloesser move to have John Miner cut down the 6 ash trees. Councilor Ruddle second. Motion passed 4:0. (City has budgeted $3,000 to remove trees.)
8. Adding street lights on 373rd Street, between 1st Avenue Court and 2nd Avenue. Email sent to the council from Xcel Energy about the proposed work. 2- 30' fiberglass poles with Cobra LED lights on the Standard Service Rate, which is roughly $21 per month. Wood poles would cost the same as fiberglass poles. Work could begin this fall. Would have to sign off on a contract before proceeding with the project. Total cost would be $3342. Councilor Schloesser move to accept the bid for adding the lights, contingent that it stays this price for next year. Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 4:0.
9. Paul's Plumbing was at City Hall to install the new water heater on 10/1/24. Need to have the electrician hook up the heater to the circuit panel yet.
10. Dan Storlie and the mayor poured the concrete for the new feedback sign foundation on Rice County 31. Will work to install the pole and pedestal this month.
11. The mayor is requesting that Nate remove his snow thrower and trailer parked on the west side of the city shop in the next month. The weed inspector has noticed tall grass in that area. Should be weed whipped. Diane move to have Nate move the trailer in the front asap for the fire dept., then move the stuff in the back out also. Snowblower can be moved inside. Needs to be done within 30 days. Jeff second. Motion passed 4:0. Heidi will tell him the items that need to be moved.
12. Mayor painted City curbs on Main Street this week.
13. Well inspection was done on the 30th by McCarthy Well.
14. Pete Lee Building update. Mayor contacted the city attorney to update her of the situation. No further communication to the City from Pete Lee regarding the sale of the building. No action has taken place to replace/fix the roof since our last meeting.
15. Warsaw Township is taking over for Northfield Township on Goodhue Ave. North. Will work with Warsaw Township to finalize exactly what they will be doing.
16. Lions Club requesting to use City Hall for Turkey Bingo. Councilor Schloesser move to approve the Lions to use City Hall for their Turkey Bingo on November 23rd. Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 3:0. Councilor Ruddle abstained from voting.
Citizens Issues:
Mayors Issues:
Utilities:
Update from Nate
Discussion on extending water service to Neal's property. The approximate cost to the City? Does the council want to move this forward? Talked about earlier.
DO calibration paperwork will be available for the council to review before the meeting. Nate didn’t have ready for this meeting. Will have ready for next month.
Councilor Schloesser move to approve the bills. Councilor Cooke second. Motion passed 4:0.
Mayor Flaten move to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Cooke second. Meeting adjourned at 8:47 pm.
Next meeting: Regular meeting is Thursday, November 7th at 7:00.
