City Council Meeting Minutes City of Nerstrand
March 11, 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, Interim Clerk Jeanette Baalson, Public Works Steve McDowell
GUESTS: Bollig Representatives; Zack Bubany. City residents and Fire Chief Joe Johnson.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Council member Betty Voge made a motion to approve the agenda, second by Council member John Harris. All approved.
CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Payment of Claims dated March 11, 2025.
B. Minutes from February 11, 2025
MOTION:
Motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion made by Council Member John Harris, second by Council Member Karla Ingersoll. All approved.
CLERK’S REPORT:
A. The Clerk reviewed the current status of the new utility billing software and the annual audit. There are some issues with the third-party credit card billing software from Hamer that are being worked on.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Bollig SCDP
a. Request for Proposal regarding Federal and State funding for Civil Engineering and Related Services.
i. Zach Bubany from Bollig answered questions from the Council about the RFP process and the next steps. The procurement process involves publishing the RFP in the news paper after which the engineering firms will submit requests for information. The responses and information will be reviewed at the April City Council meeting. The Council discussed the process and how an engineering firm would be selected.
ii. Council Member Karla Ingersoll made a motion to proceed with the publishing the request for proposal in the Faribault Daily News, Council Member Pam Caron seconded, all approved.
B. Vehicle on street complaint – A complaint had been received by the City regarding the placement of a large truck, owned by Cody Grund, on the street near the school. As a result, cars navigating around the truck are crossing over the center of the road which results in unsafe conditions. Council Member Betty Voge stated that she was nearly hit by a car navigating around the truck. A city resident also noted that she had received a number of complaints about the truck and unsafe conditions. The question was asked if the truck could be parked near the Ag Center. Mayor Todd Evavold and Council Member John Harris will talk to the Ag Center and see if they would allow the truck to be moved onto their property until such time as Cody Grund could find suitable placement for it. The recent snow plowing was also reviewed. Due to the soft ground, the snow was not able to be moved further off of the road as it has been in the past.
Old Business
A. Update regarding cannabis ordinance – This will be reviewed at the next Council meeting in April
B. Update regarding liquor ordinance and permitting. – Wild Wood will be holding an event with liquor during the first half of May. Council Member Pam Caron asked what had happened to the liquor licenses that the City had in the past. The Council will work with legal counsel to determine what changes are needed to the ordinance. A question was asked by Wild Wood if the City has an ordinance regarding food trucks. Council Member Karla Ingersoll will review the ordinances and respond to Wild Wood.
C. Clerk’s Position– Three resumes were received and interviews will be held on Tuesday, March 18th, starting at 7:00 pm.
Reports of Officers
A. Public Works Director –
a. Steve McDowell reviewed the job posting for the position in public works. He has two candidates interested and Council Member John Harris knows of one more. The position will be posted on the front door of City Hall. Mayor Todd Evavold and Steve McDowell will interview the candidates. Council Member John Harris made a motion to approve the job posting and interview process for the position of public works employee, Council Member Karla Ingersoll seconded, all approved.
b. The recent invoice to Meyers for payment to Nerstrand for the Farm Street legal and survey expenses was reviewed by Steve. After reviewing all of the invoices included in the total, he determined that a portion should not be charged to Mr. Meyers. Council Member John Harris made a motion to remove $861 from the total invoice, Council Member Karla Ingersoll seconded, all approved. A new invoice will be sent by the Clerk.
c. The tree trimming along the streets will be completed as soon as the contractor has time.
d. A request for a grant to cover the copper line inventory was submitted.
e. A request for quotes for paving Farm Street will be sent out to possible contractors.
B. Mayor – Mayor Todd Evavold stated that he would like to replace the banners on the main street light poles. Council Member John Harris made a motion to approve the purchase of six new banners with the cost not to exceed $1,000, Council Member Pam Caron seconded, all approved.
C. Fire Department – Update provided by the Fire Chief.
D. Council Members - Council Member Harris stated that a homeowner had placed stumps along the road in front of their house (across from the church) to prevent cars from parking there. As this could cause a hazard to the public, a letter will be sent from the clerk asking that the stumps be moved further back onto the resident’s property.
MOTION ADJOURN:
MOTION: Motion by Council Member John Harris second by Council Member Karla Ingersoll to adjourn. All Approved.
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Todd Evavold, Mayor
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, City Clerk
Next City Council Meeting is scheduled for April 8th, 2025, at Nerstrand City Hall
