Approves start of process to purchase new ambulance in 2017
The Mountain Lake City Council spent a great deal of time at its Monday, May 2 meeting discussing an electric rate study and increase recommendations. Council Member David Savage, liaison to the Utility Commission, explained the study and its concluding recommendations.
The electric rate study was completed by Tim Miller, a manager for financial analysis and rates for Missouri River Energy Services (MRES). The detailed review reported on energy forecasts, sources, consumption and costs, utility revenue and expenses and reserves. At the current electric rate, reserves will decrease by 50% from 2015 to 2019.
The recommendation by MRES is an increase to the monthly base charge, eliminate the discount now given to city/utility facilities and street lighting, establishment of a rural commercial class, commercial and large commercial classes and elimination of the industrial class.
In addition, the study recommends an overall increase of 4% for the remainder of 2016, and a 4.5% increase for each year from 2017 to 2019, with some classes seeing a larger increase, and some a reduction.
Council Member Savage presented the motion to adopt the 4% rate increase as proposed in the rate study, effective in July 2016, and a review of the increase in six months. His motion died for lack of a second.
The issue was tabled until the Council’s next meeting, at which time members would like staff to provide them with information on proposed rate increases for water, sewer and electric for the next three years.
Payment, delivery of new ambulance in 2017.
Following a presentation by Mountain Lake Ambulance Squad Captain Dave Watkins, the Council authorized Watkins to begin the process of contacting vendors for an ambulance, with payment and delivery in 2017.
Captain Watkins estimates the cost of the new ambulance to be around $150,000, including the trade-in for the squad’s 2006 ambulance.
In other business
+ Learned that McKinstry will provide information on costs for each city building, and the savings that would provide, during an update on the Guaranteed Energy Savings Plan (GESP). Once this is done, a decision will need to be made on how much money each department wants to put into the project. Savings are projected over a span of 15 years. In some buildings, the cost to implement the savings would be more than the energy savings.
+ Approved the gambling permit for the Mountain Lake Pow Wow raffle, the street closures needed for the celebration and the city’s contribution to the Pow Wow Road Race.
+ Reviewed and discussed the first reading of an ordinance of city code regarding residential front yard encroachments. The city has had a number of residents who have increased the size of their landing and steps in 2015. For some of these homes, the increase put the new construction in the 25-foot front yard right-of-way, and a variance was needed. Several other homes just met the setback requirements. This ordinance would allow encroachments – but very limited – in the front yard setback.
+ Reviewed the second reading of an ordinance of city code on uniform building code for foundations, exterior walls and roofs. No action was taken.
+ Reviewed the second reading of an ordinance on public nuisance affecting health. No action was taken.
+ Reviewed the second reading of an ordinance of city code on the cutting and removal of grass, weeds and other rank poisonous or harmful vegetation. No action was taken.
+ Reviewed the first reading of an ordinance of city code on telecommunication towers. A homeowner is planning on placing a 90-foot amateur radio operator tower on their property. When checking the present ordinance language, it was noted that there is an issue with Definition #5. It includes the sentence, “The term tower shall not include amateur radio operators’ equipment, as licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).” The FCC does not have setback requirements. City staff, along with the Planning and Zoning Commission, are recommending that the above sentence be removed from the ordinance. No action was taken.
+ Approved the February, March and April building permits. These include: Beth Gaalswyk, bathroom remodeling; Palmer Bus Service (Mountain Lake Public School), pre-fabricated office building/trailer; Daniel and Susanna Strutz, kitchen remodeling; Aracely Sifuentes, egress windows; Jean Murphee, windows and insulation; Paul Molitor, construction of a wood fence; Allen Kleven, shingle house and attached garage; Justin Davison, shingle garage; Ro Morin, shingle house and Gloria McKissick/C. L. Rodas, side house.
+ City of Mountain Lake Local Board of Adjustment and Equalization will be held tomorrow (Thursday, May 5), from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Mountain Lake City Hall.
+ Mediation in Kuechle Underground Inc. v. City of Mountain Lake has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 28 in Minneapolis. Pre-trial has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 20, in Windom. As well, the trial is scheduled to be held in Windom from Monday, July 25 to Friday, July 29.
City of Mountain Lake Meeting Dates
+ Mountain Lake City Council meets the first and third Mondays of every month at 6:30 p.m.
+ Utilities Commission meets the second and fourth Thursdays of every month at 7 a.m.
+ Economic Development Authority (EDA) meets the second Friday of every month at 12 noon.
+ Lake Commission meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
+ Library Board meets the second Wednesday of every month at 4:45 p.m.
+ Police Commission meets the second Thursday of every month at 7 p.m.
+ Planning and Zoning meets the last Monday of the month, if needed.
+ Tree Commission meets quarterly – January, April, July and October – at 7:45 p.m.
