Mayor Terry Sundby called to order the Council meeting on April 1, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Argyle City Office. Present were Aaron Rivard, Tony Deschene, and David Gunderson. Absent was Penni Anderson. Also in attendance was Otter Tail Operations Manager Doug Steinmetz, Tom Osowski, Brian Opsahl from Brady Martz, Michael Pagnac and Tamara Benitt. Motion by Aaron Rivard, seconded by Tony Deschene, to approve the previous minutes. Motion carried.
Doug Steinmetz, Operations Manager for Otter Tail, located out of Crookston reviewed Ordinance 01-24, the electric franchise agreement with the Council. Doug will attend the May 6th meeting to answer any further questions and the City can sign the agreement at that time.
Tom Osowski is requesting Lots 98-99 of Auditor’s Subdivision, 110 E. 5th Street, to be rezoned from Residential to Commercial. The public hearing will be set for May 6, 2024, in the Community Center at 6:30PM.
Tamara received news today that Local Road Improvement Grant was received by the City of Argyle. The grant is up to $1,500,000.00 and will be used on the Lincoln Avenue Project.
The Council reviewed the bids presented for the secondary well project. We are currently waiting for a permit revision from the Minnesota Department of Health.
Mike Pagnac will be attending the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety Education Conference in Rochester on April 23-24. Motion by Aaron Rivard, seconded by Tony Deschene, to approve the Maintenance Report. Motion carried.
Brian Opsahl with Brady, Martz presented the 2023 Audit to the Council. Motion by Tony Deschene, seconded by Aaron Rivard, to approve the Auditor’s Report. Motion carried.
Motion by Tony Deschene, seconded by Aaron Rivard, to hire Britni Kroll for watering of the hanging baskets, flower planters, and the garden club gardens for $900/season. Motion carried.
Motion by Tony Deschene, seconded by Aaron Rivard, to hire Paige Zacha, Dawson Kasprowicz, and Kristen McGregor, for summer help at $16.00/hour with $.50 increase for returning employees. Motion carried.
Motion by Tony Deschene, seconded by Aaron Rivard, to hire Carsen Safranski for Summer Rec Director/Head Coach at $17.00/hour and Anders Thompson as Assistance Coach at $14.50/hour, with $.50/hour increase for returning employees. Motion carried.
On a motion by David Gunderson, seconded by Aaron Rivard, the following resolution was adopted: RESOLUTION 08-2024- SUPPORTING RETENTION OF CITY ZONING AUTHORITY. Motion carried.
Building Permits: Tom Osowski – Building to store inventory. Motion by Tony Deschene, seconded by Aaron Rivard, to approve the building permit. Motion carried.
Karen Gunderson came up with an incentive for new homeowners. If they sign up for ACH, we will waive their water and gas utility deposits of $200.00. Their utility bill would never be late, and the payment would be guaranteed. If there are insufficient funds in the account within the first year, the homeowner will need to pay utility deposits.
Pay Equity Report meets compliance requirements.
Motion by Tony Deschene, second by David Gunderson, to not donate to Marshall County Fair Grandstand Fundraising Campaign. Aye: Deschene, Sundby, Gunderson; Abstain: Rivard; Absent: Anderson. Motion carried.
Tony Safranski will be chaperoning the SAC Sr. Class trip April 1st – April 9th.
Cold Weather Rule is no longer in effect as of April 30, 2024.
One delinquent utility account was sent to the collection agency. Motion by Tony Deschene, second by Aaron Rivard, to approve the bills presented for payment, the Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, delinquent accounts and vacation & sick leave. Motion carried.
Being no further business, motion by Tony Deschene, second by Aaron Rivard, to adjourn. Motion carried.
REMINDER: Waste Management recycling tote pickup will be on May 15, 2024.
City Office & City Shop Hours: Monday – Thursday, 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM & Friday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Utility payments can be made with a credit card or stop by the City Office to sign up for ACH (automatic withdrawal)