With Mayor Tim Goenner absent from the meeting last Wednesday, Acting Mayor Karen White wielded the gavel and expeditiously maneuvered the council through a light agenda.

Because several of the council members are relatively new to their positions, Clerk Kari Mechtel felt it would be prudent to start the work on the city’s 2022 budget with a workshop meeting to familiarize all members with the process. This would give members sufficient time to understand the deadlines and mechanics that go into adopting their proposed expenditures for the coming year.  With all members in agreement, August 16 at 6 p.m. was set for the workshop meeting, as the budget needs to have preliminary approval in September.

SCSO Patrol Captain Ryan Broich was present at the meeting to share the calls for service for the last reporting period, which numbered 47 in total. Security checks continued to be the top response category, followed by traffic stops.  

Next, resident Mitchell Koenig appeared before council to ask for a refund for part of his sewer charges for the last month. Koenig stated that he was unaware that the sewer charges were based off his water usage, which had faced a steep climb in the previous month since his sand point lawn watering system had failed and he used city water for his lawn.

Several members of the council noted that there was past precedent to work with the homeowner in these situations by looking at the historical system averages.

Members directed Mechtel to look at these averages and credit Koenig’s account for the excess sewer charges for the past month, although he will still be responsible for the costs of the water used for sprinkling his lawn.

Public Works Director Dustin Luhning also reiterated to Koenig and the council that there is another option for residents via installation of an irrigation meter for city residences. By utilizing a separate meter for the lawn watering systems, residents are charged only for the water used in the process and they do not face charges for the sewer fee.

Luhning’s report was next on the agenda and he noted that dating back to 1995, the city had been required to have a nitrate removal plan because of having one of the higher nitrate content wells in the area. However, that well has been retired and the city no longer uses the well for municipal water service. Annually, the MDH sends the city a letter regarding this well but Luhning stated it was immaterial at this time since the well is not in service.

Luhning next sought and was given approval for the procurement of a Public Works vehicle that has been budgeted for purchase this year.

Over the past few months, a city-approved contractor has been working on replacing water meters for residents and the process is nearly complete with just 16 left to be installed. Luhning stated that the new meters boast a very accurate reading, while also greatly reducing the time needed to read meters and assess charges.

Mechtel was next on the agenda, as she presented the second quarter financial records, which were given unanimous approval.  

As part of the council’s consent agenda, they approved terminating the local emergency declaration in response to COVID-19. Council Member Kristin Brandt asked Mechtel and Luhning if they saw the need to do any further mitigation strategies at City Hall, but both employees reported being satisfied with how business is being conducted at this time.  

With no further business coming before the council, White adjourned the meeting.