Hanska City Council – Regular Meeting
September 11th, 2023
6pm – Hanska Community Center
Regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Vee at 6:00pm. Members present Vee, Geiger, Miller, Kjelshus, and Larson. Members absent: None
City Clerk Moldan and Public Works Tauer are present.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Kjelshus moved to approve the agenda. Seconded by Miller. Motion passed.
Open Citizens Comments: None in attendance.
Geiger moved to approve minutes from August 14th and 30st meetings. Seconded by Larson. Motion passed
Miller moved to approve City and Muni claims. Seconded by Geiger. Motion passed.
Muni – Clerk gave update on MUNI checking account, waiting on one more bill once that’s paid MUNI account can be closed and money transferred.
Library- Mayor Vee gave update. Hours for September are: Monday 11-3, Tuesday 11-3, Wednesday 2-6, Thursday 11-3, Friday 11-3. Didn’t go through the director job description, members were asked to review the description and come to the next meeting ready to go over it. Spaghetti dinner is set for Saturday October 21st, they are looking for help funding the meal. Lisa Miller said she can apply for a Thrivent grant. Becky B resigned from the board immediately. Amy is putting together a posting for the position.
Fire Department- Larson gave update. No meeting, only two members present.
Public works- Tauer gave the update. Tauer got a letter from MPCA about I&I reports not done for the permit, there was a mix up between Tauer and Bolton and Menk. Mayor Vee asked if anything needed to be done with this, Tauer said no it’s taken care of. Tauer does not have an estimate for the well due to engineers needing to be involved, this will increase the cost of the well. Tauer talked to Bolton and Menk and they brought up a USDA grant. Travis and Matt from Bolton and Menk with meet with Tauer and Clerk to go over options for the city. Clerk stated the process for a USDA grant takes a lot of time and usually the city has to bond the project first and get the grant money when the project is completed. Tauer will pressure wash the Stabbur to get it ready for stain.
City Clerk- Clerk found small-town cities grant through Deed that can be used for the city well or water tower. This grant is based on the income of the city. The city needs to be at 53% of an income guideline, Hanska is at 41%. Deed recommends the city do a rate study and see if the city can meet the 53% to apply for the grant. Clerk found two possible grants for the community center. The first grant is a 1 to 1 match and at this time the city doesn’t have funds
to apply for this grant. Second one is up to $10,000 clerk is looking into this for the steps. Clerk went over the insurance claim list from LMC. LMC Insurance approved $24,540.00 for the community center roof. The bell tower has been put on a separate claim. Park cleaning costs have been approved. The amount at the ball park is not finalized. Club house roof claim was denied due to maintance issues. Clerk presented the proposed 2024 budget and tax levy. The budget and levy as presented was at a 17% increase. Geiger asked why the levy is at that amount. Clerk said the city insurance is going up by 18%, general operating costs of they city went up, fuel, supplies, chemicals. The city is also adding an additional 4,100.00 to the library to balance the library budget. Members asked what can be cut from the budget to bring the levy amount down. Clerk said amounts that can be cut from capital, flowers, park and rec. After discussion council cut money from capital, city flowers and $500.00 from park and rec. After cuts the levy is at 12%, general $154,500.00 and debt $151,000.00 total amount of $305,500.00.
Geiger made a motion to approve Resolution #2023-8 Proposed Tax Levy. Seconded by Kjelshus. Roll call made: Larson Yes, Kjelshus Yes, Miller Yes, Geiger Yes motion passed. Motion Passed.
Clerk presented Resolution #2023-9
Larson made a motion to approve Resolution #2023-9 Accepting Donations for Hanska Night Out. Seconded by Geiger. Roll call made: Larson Yes, Kjelshus Yes, Miller Yes, Geiger Yes motion passed. Motion Passed.
Clerk presented Resolution #2023-10
Miller made a motion to approve Resolution #2023-10 Approving Confidence Learning Center Charitable Gambling. Seconded by Geiger. Roll call made: Larson Yes, Kjelshus Yes, Miller Yes, Geiger Yes. Motion Passed.
Council – Vee said there is $5,000 left in the Stabbur fund. Vee wanted to know what the city should do about snow removal on Broadway, city has been cleaning off the sidewalks. Should the city stop or make businesses pay? Nothing was decided at this time.
Geiger made a motion to adjourn, Larson seconded, meeting was adjourned at 7:24pm
_______________________________ __________________________________
Attest: City Clerk, Cinnamon Moldan Mayor, Daniel Vee
