Call to order:
The regular Randolph City Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Robert Appelgren.
Roll Call:
Present:
Mayor Robert Appelgren
Council Members Sarah Podritz, Jacob Friedrich, and Jacob Toledo was absent
Treasurer Sandy Nicolai and Clerk Mary Haro
Public Comments:
Fireman Opelt indicated that they are in the process of preparing the 2023, 2024 and 2025 Fire Contracts. He also noted that they received a $184,000 grant from the government for SBA's. They also received a grant for $9,200.
Prior Meeting Minutes
A motion to approve the September 14, 2022 regular council meeting minutes was made by Friedrich, seconded by Podritz. All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 5:0.
Treasurer's Report
Sandy indicated she was mailing out water bills today. We have been reimbursed for the Bolton & Menk invoice from our bonds. She will be assessing two residents water bills. We still need to install more water meters including the school and several other businesses and we do have the meters that need to be installed at these locations. Sandy also noted that she had $20,000 moved from the general account and deposited into the water account which is where it should have been deposited.
It was asked about the fraudulent check and Clerk Haro noted that she had to prepare an Affidavit of Forgery which she returned the same day to Merchants. They are working with Dakota County on this case.
A motion to approve the Treasurer's Report was made by Friedrich, seconded by Haro. All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 5:0.
Approval to Pay Bills
Motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Appelgren and seconded by Friedrich. All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 5:0.
Old Business
There was no old business this month.
New Business
Liquor License
Nate Icaza and Ashley Gergen were present to request a liquor license for The R Bar for 2023. They have prepared the paper work and submitted it to the Sheriff's Office.
Motion by Friedrich to approve the liquor license for R Bar for 2023 pending the submission of all paperwork and approval from the Sheriff's office, seconded by Podritz. All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 5:0.
Election Judges
Motion to appoint the Election Judges of Colleen Taubman as head judge, Heather Siebenaler, Michelle Splichal, Lisa Price and Mary Haro for the General Election set for November 8th made by Podritz, seconded by Appelgren. All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 4:0. Haro abstained from the vote.
Eric Brochman, Garage Addition
Eric Brochman indicated they were considering connecting their current garage to the house so they can build a second garage. He asked what is considered a connection from the house to the garage – is a breezeway sufficient. He was told we do not have a square footage restrictions on an attached garage but he would have to meet setbacks on any addition.
As for the second garage which would be more than 1500 sq. ft., he asked what the setbacks are. He did talk to the building inspector a while back to discuss setbacks regarding the alley and was told that it is considered a road so he would have to meet those setbacks. He has 45 feet on the north side of the alley. He plans on building next Spring. We told him to discuss this with Mark our building inspector to see what constitutes an attached garage and what all setbacks would be. We also indicated that he should check to be sure that the alley is open, otherwise it is considered a roadway.
He asked about getting a variance to build the second garage due to not meeting the setbacks because of the size. He can apply for a variance but he would have to meet the test for a variance. He was told that the fee for a variance hearing is $500.00. Clerk Haro will get the information to him for the three items that need to be met and a variance application.
It was also noted that the alley/roadway is not maintained by the city.
He asked that he be added to the agenda for next month.
Sewer Update
Matt from Bolton & Menk held an open house prior to tonight's council meeting to take questions. Only two people attended. It was posted on the website as well as on the bulletin board. There was miscommunication about mailing out a notice which should have gone to the homeowners. We will have another Q&A meeting next month and include a notice in the water bills that are being mailed out today. Dakota County is having an open house on Monday the 17th from 4:30 to 6:30 to discuss the county road 88 project.
Matt put together some rates for the sewer usage and reviewed them with us, which included existing rates, the initial rates and ultimate growth rates. We will not be putting money aside right away. With 70 people on the system it is estimated at $51.00 per month at the rate of $6.00 per 1,000 gallons. The more people hooked up the less the monthly charge would be. Down the line with 160 people hooked up the cost would be about $47.50 per month with putting money aside for replacement costs. The cost of hiring a company to manage the water and sewer would be approximately $60-70,000 per year. He checked with People Source. The number one costs will be the maintenance person and the other cost will be to start putting aside money for future repairs. He estimates $5,000 per year for maintenance. Maintenance would be cleaning it, greasing the pumps, etc. The electricity would be approximately $2,000 per year. It was asked if there are any state fees that would need to be included? Matt will check on this and get back to us. It was also noted that we could check with other towns to hook up with their maintenance person versus hiring a company.
He indicated that sanitary sewer usage is usually determined by looking at the winter months when not running sprinklers, etc. December, January, February and average people's water bills during those months and apply those rates to their monthly/quarterly sewer charges. This is all just estimates. It was noted that there are snow birds that go south so that would give them an advantage.
He also noted that they have been working with the railroad regarding the project. It is owned by Progressive Rail and at the present time it looks good.
He noted that they are currently trying to get right of entry to get the soil borings from the land owner.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn the meeting made by Podritz, seconded by Appelgren, the meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m. All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 5:0.