Bellechester City Council Meeting Minutes
November 16, 2022 @ 6:00PM
Regular City Council Meeting was called to order by Mayor Jody Gordon at 6:03 p.m.
Pledge to the flag.
Roll call was taken: The council in attendance: Mayor Jody Gordon, Council people Rich Majerus, Jered Buxengard as well as City Clerk Lisa Redepenning, Treasurer Kyle McKeown, and City Engineer Matt Mohs were also present.
Minutes of October 19, 2022 regular meeting were reviewed and motion was made by Kyle Blattner with a second by Rich Majerus to approve the minutes. Motion carried.
Bills were reviewed and a motion by Rich Majerus with a second by Mark Gerken to approve and pay the bills as presented. Motion carried.
Public Hearing was opened at 6:08. 2nd reading of Engine Braking Ordinance. Mayor Gordon read the proposed ordinance and asked for public input. We will inquire with Sherriff about fines. With no residents present, the public hearing was closed at 6:14. Tabled until December meeting.
City council meeting was reopened at 614.
Old Business:
• Sewer Project Update – Matt presented to the city a donation for a raffle to be used. It will be displayed at the Tavern. We received approval from the small city assist program grant. Agreement will be forthcoming to sign to receive the funds. We will need to approve some additional policies and environment review needs to be done in order to receive the grant monies, which is required by the state. Sewer lining project plans are in place and being reviewed and will move forward. Sewer easements were distributed, and we have a notary can come to residents for this. Rochester Plumbing was in town over the weekend. Matt explained why they were in town. They were getting preliminary information only. Matt distributed to council an estimate for Water Meter Pre-Installation Inspections Rochester Plumbing was able to obtain to move forward with this project. Motion was made by Rich Majerus with a 2nd by Kyle Blattner to approve the Rochester Plumbing and Heating to do the preliminary inspection for our sewer. Motion carried.
Noise ordinance was distributed by Matt as reference for council for future discussion.
New business:
• Canvas November 8th Election Results – Motion was made by Rich Majerus with a 2nd by Jered Buxengard to canvass and approve the results from Goodhue and Wabasha County for the 2022 election. Motion carried.
• Approve Ordinance #35 Engine Braking Ordinance. Ordinance was tabled until we verify fines for violations.
• 2023 Final Levy - discuss/change/approve. Motion was made by Rich Majerus with a 2nd by Kyle Blattner to set the final levy at $70,000 raising it $10,000. Motion carried.
• 2023 Special Assessments – approve list for submittal to County – Anderson, Hansen, and K. Poncelet, will be assessed to county. Motion was made by Jered Buxengard with a 2nd by Rich Majerus to approve these accounts to be certified to the county for 2023 assessments. Motion carried.
• Agreement for State Building Code Administration with Goodhue County – discuss and approve. Motion was made by Mark Gerken with 2nd by Jered Buxengard to approve the agreement with Goodhue County for the Building code administration for 2023. Motion carried.
• Snow Plowing for 2022-2023 Season – discuss and approve. Jason Zemke and Kevin Merkens sealed bid was opened for snowplowing with their prices. Jody read the proposal to council. Special accommodations and instructions as well as insurance certificate will be discussed with vendor approved. Motion was made by Kyle Blattner with a 2nd by Jered Buxengard accept the Zemke/Merkens proposal to perform these services for the city for the upcoming season. Motion carried.
Engineer Report – see above.
Clerk Report – Municipal Impact – (website) sent notice that our yearly rates will be increasing from $565.95 to $605.
Treasurer Report – past due list was discussed with special assessments above.
Water/Wastewater/Facility Report – discharge is done for year as well as quarterly samples.
Mayor Concerns: 2 residents in town received duplicate ballots and will be addressed with county. The Lions have a lighted Christmas event on December 10th. Swing at the park will be fixed in the spring and dog fence for aluminum cans will be addressed by the Lions.
Council Concerns: None
Adjourn
Motion was made by Rich Majerus with a second by Kyle Blattner to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:08 pm. Next meeting is November 16 @ 6:00 p.m. at the Bellechester Community Center.
Submitted by Lisa Redepenning – City Clerk
