Long Prairie City Council Proceedings
City of Long Prairie
7:00 P.M., Monday
March 4th, 2024
City Council Meeting Held in Person & Via-Teleconference
The Long Prairie City Council met in person and by phone at City Hall, 7:00 pm, on Monday March 4th, 2024, Acting Mayor David Wright called the meeting to order with Council members Jim Kreemer, Clint Krueger, and Lilah Gripne present. Others present were City Attorney Joe Krueger, Police Chief Ryan Hanson, Fire Chief Dan Laumeyer, Jeremy Sovich, Amanda Hinson, Officer Trevor Larson, Bob Klick, Kent Louwagie, Lisa Wright, Steve Hinson, Otis Ostendorf, Chris Haasser, Luan Brunkhorst, Sarah Amundson, Chris Amundson, John Chase, Darla John, Jeff Sauer, Pat Schultz, Matt Farrow.
Council member Gripne motioned Kreemer seconded to approve the consent agenda as amended:
(a) Approve Agenda for Monday March 4th, 2024.
(b) Approve Council Meeting Minutes from February 20th, 2024.
(c) Approve Donations Resolution #24-03-04-04.
Resolution #24-03-04-04
RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING DONATIONS
Said resolution is on file at City Hall and may be viewed Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m.to 4:00 p.m.
(New Business)
The City Council reviewed the applications for Mayor. The applications that were received were from Amanda Hinson, Mike Brakke, and David Wright. Discussion was had on the resignation process if the council would choose council member Wright to be the mayor. Council member Gripne presided over the process as council member Wright was an applicant for Mayor. Council member Gripne allowed applicants to speak if they chose too. Amanda Hinson addressed the council regarding her qualifications to be Mayor of the City of Long Prairie. Mayor Wright presented and read a letter to the City Council regarding his qualifications to be Mayor of the City of Long Prairie.
City Attorney Joe Krueger addressed the council regarding next steps to appoint a mayor. Council member Gripne asked for a nomination for mayor. Council member Kreemer motioned seconded by Gripne to recommend David Wright to be Mayor. Council member Kreemer provided a reason for why he made the motion to approve David Wright to be Mayor.
Council member Kreemer motioned seconded by Gripne to recommend David Wright to be Mayor. Roll Call Vote: Krueger No; Kreemer Yes, Gripne Yes. Motion Passed.
Mayor Wright presented resolution 24-03-04-05 which declares a council vacancy due to his acceptance to become the Mayor of the City of Long Prairie.
Council member Kreemer motioned seconded by Gripne to approve Resolution 24-03-04-05 accepting David Wright’s resignation as a Council member and to declare a vacancy on the City Council. Motion Passed.
RESOLUTION NO. 24-03-04-05
A RESOLUTION DECLARING A VACANCY.
Said resolution is on file at City Hall and may be viewed Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m.to 4:00 p.m.
Mayor Wright opened the presentation to restart the Tourism Commission. Chris Amundson presented this request to start a new Tourism Commission for the City of Long Prairie. Discussion was had on the current ordinance regarding the Tourism Commission and possible revisions to the number of members to be on that commission.
Council member Kreemer motioned second by Gripne to reestablish the Tourism Commission with Chris Amundson as the Chair of the commission. Motion Passed.
Luan Brunkhorst presented the proposed banners for the City of Long Prairie. In the presentation images of the proposed designs and the locations where the banners would be located were provided. The expenses split, with the design of the banners being paid for by Tourism Fund and the physical banners being paid for through other city funds. The cost of the physical banners would be $5,491. The budgets were discussed on the expense of these funds for the banners. The council had approved the cost of the banners in May of 2023, the next steps would be to approve the design of the banners that would be purchased. The council discussed the possibility of using all the proposed designs. However concerns were raised regarding the banner that included the clock, which the city is looking at fixing, but may need to be replaced. It was decided to wait until more information was obtained regarding the clock replacement/repair.
Luan discussed with council a proposal for drone footage that would be obtained of Long Prairie and be used as an advertising tool for the website and other city functions. The costs and cost breakdown of this proposal were discussed.
Acting Mayor Wright motioned seconded by Kreemer to remove the Temporary Liquor License for the Long Prairie Lions from the agenda. Motion passed.
City Engineer Kent Louwagie presented and provided details on resolution 24-03-04-06 committing to certain financial obligations for the Sewer System in Conjunction with Federal and State Funding for the Lift Station Improvement Project.
Mayor Wright motioned seconded by Kreuger to approve Resolution 24-03-04-06 Committing to Certain Financial Obligations for the Sewer System in Conjunction with Federal and State Funding for the Lift Station Improvement Project Motion passed.
Resolution 24-03-04-06
A Resolution Committing to Certain Financial Obligations for the Sewer System in Conjunction with Federal and State Funding for the Lift Station Improvement Project
Said resolution is on file at City Hall and may be viewed Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m.to 4:00 p.m.
(Old Business)
The council reviewed the Community Service Officer Position. The council was presented with the budget information that was requested at previous meetings. The council discussed concerns with the budget and expenses related to this position. Council member Krueger motioned to hire a Community Service Officer; council member Wright Seconded.
Continued discussion was had by the council. Council member Gripne expressed concerns with the expenses related to this position. Council member Kreemer expressed similar concerns. After discussion Mayor Wright re-presented the motion.
Council member Krueger motioned to hire a Community Service Officer seconded by Mayor Wright. Motion failed 3 to 1, Krueger: Yes; Kreemer, Gripne, Wright: No.
(Public Comment)
Fire Chief Dan Laumeyer addressed the City Council regarding Narcos Cans being carried on the fire department rescue truck. The Todd County Sheriff strongly recommends that we have these cans added to our rescue truck. The department has been trained in the use of these cans. This would provide protection for citizens as well as firefighters. The ambulance service would be assisting in providing updated training on the use of these cans.
Council member Kreemer motioned seconded by Council member Gripne. to allow the Fire Department to carry Narco Cans and to update any needed policies on the use of these cans. Motion passed.
(Council Reports)
Public Works: Council Member Krueger presented the council public works report. The daily water/ wastewater rounds and samples are going fine. Public Works has been busy with trimming trees, sweeping streets, and equipment maintenance. In the next few weeks we will be plowing snow as needed, repairing/painting picnic tables, patching potholes, and cleaning the chlorine contact chamber at the wastewater treatment plant.
Public Safety: Mayor Wright reported on Public Safety. Police Department had 156 calls in the last two weeks. Part-time Oetterer resigned from his Part-Time Position. The 2023 Squad will be in for the replacement of doors that were damaged. Police Administrative Assistant Amber Pearcy has completed her 6-month probation. The Police Department was represented at the Burnsville Memorial Service by Chief Hanson and Amber Pearcy. The Fire Department completed the Prairie Plunge last weekend. On Wednesday, March 6th the department will complete their annual OSHA training.
EDA: Mayor Wright commented on the EDA meeting. He described possible grant opportunities for a day care facility. Rick Utech will be retiring, and his replacement was hired, Melissa Wyman who is formally with Staples EDA.
Liquor Store: Council member Kreemer reported on liquor store activities. The work will begin on Tuesday March 5th to replace the compressor system.
Library: Council member Gripne stated that on March 18th Kevin Klimek and the Sidewinders will be performing at the library at 5:30 pm. Friday March 22nd from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm a mosaic artist will be presenting on how to make mosaic flowerpots.
There being no further business, motioned by Gripne seconded by Kreemer to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 p.m.
Ted Gray,
Interim City Administrator/Clerk
David Wright,
Mayor
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