Raise 2017A Electric Revenue Bonds
In a separate, but coordinated project with Cottonwood County, the utility will replace two blocks of sewer line and one block of water line between 3rd Avenue and 6th Avenue, Mountain Lake City Council members concluded at the group’s Monday, February 6 meeting. Following that work, the county will be resurfacing Cottonwood County Road 1 with concrete.
This project will include the elimination of one block of water main along County 1 between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue, along with replacing the block of water main between 3rd Avenue and 5th Avenue with new 8″ diameter main. Sewer will also be replaced, with new 12″ lines laid between 3rd Avenue to 6th Avenue, along with reconnecting service to Town’s Edge Auto.
The move is being made to pre-empt any possible future water or sewer issues, as the county does not want any cutting into or digging up of the new concrete.
Andy Kehren, city engineer of Bolton & Menk, reviewed the timeline, scope and cost of the project with the council.
(The council authorized for the prep of the plans and specs, contingent on the agreement of the Utility Commission to move ahead on the project at the group’s Thursday, February 9 meeting. At that meeting, the Utility Commission approved moving ahead, and decided to self-fund the project, using sewer funds for both the sewer and water work, with water repaying its portion of the cost.
Raise 2017A Electric Revenue Bond size
Council members additionally approved raising the size of the 2017A Electric Revenue Bonds from $2,260,000 to $3,000,000, following discussion on the reasons behind the raise, the impact and other financial issues on the sale. The reason for the increase on the bond size was due to the fact that some of the bids for the new sub-station came in higher than expected.
The final debt service schedule and other items related to the sale were also reviewed.
In other business
+ Awarded the remaining two parts of a six-part bid for the sub-station project. The bids had been opened on January 13, but two of the bids were not awarded at the council’s January 17 meeting. Mike Thielen, project manager from Utilities Plus Energy Services (UPES), recommended at this meeting that the two parts be awarded. Awarded to Farabee Mechanical of Hickman, Nebraska were the installation of AC and CD electrical, exterior conduits, interior conduits, ground grid and cable tray at a price of $235,385 and the installation of concrete piers, transformer pad/oil containment pit, S2 foundation and switchgear enclosure at a cost of $197,298.
+ Listened to a presentation by Diane Englin and Kathy Harder, representing Friends of the Pool. The group has raised money to support the Mountain Lake Public School’s indoor swimming pool. Since the pool was recently closed, the Friends of the Pool are looking to use the remaining funds in ways that support physical activity in the city. Included was information on a warming house at the outdoor ice rink and a sand volleyball court at Lawcon Park. The group is additionally looking for the council’s guidance and approval as they move forward with these, and possibly other, ideas.
+ Reviewed the annexation resolution for property southwest of Mountain Lake, northeast of the intersection of Minnesota State Highway 60 and Cottonwood County Road 27. Zoning the property was discussed. The resolution is slated to the adopted at the council’s Monday, March 6 meeting.
+ Heard three scenarios prepared by Northland Securities on the financial impact of financing Series 2017B infrastructure impovements to the Mountain Lake Commerical Park Subdivision in 2017. The subdivision property is southwest of Mountain Lake, northeast of the intersection of Minnesota State Highway 60 and Cottonwood County Road 27. The financial impact was weighed on the city, as well as on residential and commercial properties. The scenarios differed only in the number of lots sold each year. The Mountain Lake Economic Development Authority (EDA) anticipates the cost of the project to run slightly over $2,000,000. No action was taken.
+ Discussed possible negotiation dates with union representatives from (American Federsation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
+ Decided that the city will not waive the monetary limit on municipal tort liability for the upcoming policy year in connection with the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust 2017-2018 Renewal Liability Coverage Waiver.
+ Heard from Jay Scheid during Public Open Forum requesting answers too the following questions:
- If the EDA of Mountain Lake Area Chamber of Commerce have made efforts to attract dentists, optometrists, accountants, lawyer and financial planners to the communitt. Mountain Lake Mayor Mike Nelson and Mountain Lake City Council Member Darla Kruser, also members of the EDA, explained that the topic has been discussed at EDA meetings, and attempts have been made.
- What the status is of a new Sanford Clinic on the former Ross Cleaners corner, as well as a Dollar General store. Explanations included that Sanford Medical is working through their facilities projecss, and that Dollar General has bade an offfer on a lot in the new commercial/industrial park. Discussion was also held on the search currently underway by Sanford to recruit a physician to replace the recently-retired Dr. Steve Harder.
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.
