City Council Meeting Minutes City of Nerstrand
January 14, 2025, 221 Main Street
7:00 P.M. Nerstrand, MN
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Todd Evavold, Council Members John Harris, Karla Ingersoll, Betty Voge, Pam Caron
ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Clerk Frances Boehning, Public Works Steve McDowell
GUESTS: City residents –Monica Gernandt, Annette Evavold
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Council member Betty Voge made a motion to approve the agenda, second by Council member Karla Ingersoll. All approved.
CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Payment of Claims dated January 14, 2025.
B. Minutes from December 10, 2024
C. Approval of City Council meeting dates for 2025
MOTION:
Motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion made by Council Member Pam Caron, second by Council Member Karla Ingersoll. All approved.
CLERK’S REPORT:
A. The Clerk reviewed the status of the utility billing software conversion. The new software will be used to run the January billing. W-2s will be issued when the new PIN number from the federal government is received.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Public Hearing regarding variance for 302 3rd St. N – RESCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 11th
B. Bollig SCDP public hearing
a. Proposed infrastructure project and the submission of an application to DEED’s SCDP program and to the Rural Development program.” – RESCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 11th
C. Resolution 2025-01: Appointing the City Official Designations
a. Council Member Karla Ingersoll made a motion to approve resolution 2025-01: appointing the City official designations, Council Member Pam Caron seconded the motion, all approved.
D. Resolution 2025-02: Resolution Allowing Electronic Funds Transfer
Transactions
a. Council Member Karla Ingersoll made a motion to approve resolution 2025-02: allowing electronic funds transfer transactions, Council Member Pam Caron seconded the motion, all approved.
E. Resolution 2025-03: Official Appointments
a. Council Member Betty Voge made a motion to approve resolution 2025-03: official appointments as follows:
i. Deputy Mayor – Karla Ingersoll
ii. Planning Commission Representative – Betty Voge
iii. Planning Commission – Don Quistorff, Luanne Kuntz, Amy Harris, Monica Gernandt, one member TBD.
iv. Zoning Commissioner – City Clerk Frances Boehning
Council Member Pam Caron seconded the motion, all approved.
b. Council Member John Harris made a motion to add the following to resolution 2025-03.
i. Ordinance Review Commission – Karla Ingersoll, John Harris, Monica Gernandt, Luanne Kuntz, and City Clerk Frances Boehning.
Council member Karla Ingersoll seconded, all approved.
F. Resolution 2025-04: Utility Sewer Rates
a. Council Member Karla Ingersoll made a motion to approve resolution 2025-04: utility sewer rate increase of 3%, Council Member John Harris seconded the motion, all approved.
G. Resolution 2025-05: Salary Increase for Public Works Director
a. Council Member John Harris made a motion to approve resolution 2025-05: salary increase of 6% for public works director, Council Member Betty Voge seconded the motion, all approved.
H. Discussion regarding zoning map
a. The City Council reviewed the current zoning maps and the draft zoning map. Discussion was held regarding past zoning events. A short discussion was had about the state-owned land on the north side of the city. Comment was made that this area should be zoned as parkland.
b. Council Member Karla Ingersoll asked if the Council would like the ordinance review commission to review the ordinances in any specified order. The Council indicated that the commission could choose the order independently.
I. Discussion Regarding the Dormant City Savings Accounts
a. A couple of the current savings accounts are dormant due to lack of activity. Council Member Pam Caron made a motion to approve the Clerk moving $1 into each of the accounts to make them active, Council Member Betty Voge seconded, all approved.
Old Business
A. Update regarding liquor ordinance, and cannabis ordinance – Legal Council has provided a sample cannabis ordinance from Kenyon along with draft questions for the Council to review before the February meeting. The Clerk will inquire if Kennedy & Graven have drafted a liquor ordinance for review yet.
B. Farm Street Update– Steve McDowell will obtain updated asphalt pricing for paving Farm Street. The old storm water building will be dismantled and brought down to street level.
Reports of Officers
A. Public Works Director – Steve McDowell reviewed tree trimming along city streets that will take place later this winter. The non-working water meters will be replaced as time allows. Steve noted that he will need to enter all the residential building basements to check on types of water softeners for the chloride report and to look for any lead service lines.
B. Fire Department – Update provided by the Fire Chief.
MOTION ADJOURN:
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Karla Ingersoll second by Council Member John Harris to adjourn. All Approved.
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Todd Evavold, Mayor
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Frances Boehning, City Clerk
Next City Council Meeting is scheduled for February 11th, 2025, at Nerstrand City Hall
