It was a brief Clear Lake City Council meeting on May 2 with some updates and a council vacancy declared.

 

The council passed Resolution 16-06, declaring a council vacancy, due to Council Member Connie Achman stepping down. With council member Claudia Page stepping down last month, this leaves two open spots on the city council. Interested parties are asked to contact Kari Mechtel by May 15 at 320-743-3111, or email her at cityofclearlake@frontiernet.net.

 

Mayor Tim Goenner presented Achman with a plaque and thanked her for her service on the council.

 

“Being on the council is something you can’t imagine until you’re sitting here,” Achman said. “I started on the other side of the table, listening and wanting to make an impact. It’s time well spent.”

 

The council is considering holding an informational meeting for people interested in joining the city council to hear what it’s like firsthand from current members.

 

Clear Lake Assistant Fire Chief Craig Miller approached the board asking, for approval to move forward with ordering a new grass fire truck and skid unit, which will replace their oldest truck. 

 

He explained research done and options available, with costs ranging from $62,000 to $66,000, and stated he was confident everything could be purchased within the original $65,000 that was budgeted.

 

A motion was made and passed to approve the purchase.

 

Public Works Supervisor Dustin Luhning reported there has already been park vandalism. He said another camera would most likely be mounted in the area to catch responsible parties and help deter further problems.

 

Luhning also thanked Mayor Goenner for his help in getting the ballpark set up; Goenner and other volunteers worked to apply four loads of lime on the field this past Saturday. Goenner extended the thank you out to all the volunteers.

 

Council Member Dale Powers asked Luhning on the status of sun-faded signs that need to be replaced. Luhning replied they were on order and should be arriving in the near future.

 

Mayor Goenner informed the council MnDOT was set to begin the first phase of the Clear Lake Quiet Zone in September. They will be installing cement medians that will eliminate the need for trains passing through Clear Lake to sound their horns.

 

Clerk Kari Mechtel reported the city had been awarded a $10,000 Source Water Protection Plan Implementation grant, which they will receive in September.

 

Mechtel inquired if the council wanted to hold National Night Out again this year. Goenner and Powers felt it was important, and suggested more advertising to help residents become aware of it. National Night Out is a community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to help make neighborhoods safer, better places to live. The 2016 National Night Out event is August 2.

 

A motion was made and approved to accept the Sherburne County cost share agreement on the new election equipment.

 

The sheriff reported there were 37 points of contact for the month of April, including 17 traffic stops, 2 traffic complaints, 2 DWIs, 1 warrant and 1 disturbing the peace.

 

The next Clear Lake City Council meeting will be held June 6 at 7 p.m.