Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Two Harbors, Minnesota, held on Monday, December 5, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by President Redden.
Members present, Councilors:
Woodruff, Glaser, Rennwald,
Passe, Erickson,
Redden. 6.
Others present:
Interim Administrator,
Dhein Finance Director, Pietila
City Clerk, Nordean
City Attorney, Costley
Clerk Nordean requested that Personnel Committee and Airport Commission be added to Committee Reports; that New Business 3, be added, accepting nominations for a position on the Library Board and deleting Consent Agenda 3, Approving the Agreement between the City of Two Harbors and Lake County for the 2023 – 2024 Street Improvement Project.
Motion by Passe and Woodruff that the agenda be approved with the changes recommended by the clerk. Carried.
Motion by Erickson and Glaser adjourning the regular meeting and calling to order a public hearing to receive public input regarding the 2023 Tax Levy and Budget. Carried.
Clerk Nordean reported that there were no communications received regarding the proposed levy and budget.
Finance Director, Pietila, was present and addressed the hearing indicating that the proposed resolution would adopt a levy increase of two percent, which was less than the proposed levy of four percent. She reviewed factors influencing the 2023 Budget and provided a 2023 property tax levy comparison showing the affect of market value increases. She provided a review of the proposed levy and budget.
Jan Gothier, 1309 Harbor Hills Drive, was present and addressed the Council, indicating that the increase in property taxes have become a hardship for her and her husband and requesting that the Council consider reducing spending.
Councilor Erickson expressed appreciation to Pietila as well as the Council, the Finance Committee, and administrative staff for their work in preparing the budget. She discussed other factors that contribute to property taxes for property owners.
There was no one else present wishing to speak in favor of or against the 2023 property tax levy and budget.
Motion by Woodruff and Glaser adjourning the public hearing and reconvening the regular meeting of the City Council. Carried.
Personnel Committee:
Vice President Glaser provided a review of the recent meeting of the Personnel Committee where they discussed the Patrol Officer hiring, the status of postings for Public Works, Liquor Store, Cemetery and Administrative positions.
Airport Commission:
Nordean provided a review of the December meeting of the Airport Commission where they discussed maintenance concerns and use of the City’s work order system. She indicated that administrative staff will be meeting with the Airport Manager and Public Works Director to discuss some concerns which were discussed.
Motion by Glaser and Woodruff that the following consent agenda items:
- Approving minutes from the November 14 and 28, 2022 City Council meetings.
- RESOLUTION NO. 12-344-22 APPROVING A NON-EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF TWO HARBORS AND BEARGREASE SLED DOG MARATHON, INC., FOR USE OF CITY GOLF COURSE PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONDUCING THE JOHN BEARGREASE “CUB RUN” SLED DOG RACE FROM 9 AM UNTIL 5 PM ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2023, PENDING RECEIPT OF EVIDENCE OF APPROPRIATE INSURANCE DOCUMENTATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE ACTING MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
- Authorizing Jim Gilbert to carry over an additional 40 hours of vacation with the requirement to use the additional 40 hours by the end of February, 2023.
Be adopted as read. Carried by a unanimous yea vote of all members present on roll call.
Communications:
1. A letter from Judy Sausen, 712 Third Avenue #203, proposing that the Council consider adopting and implementing a one-time use plastic bag ordinance. Council President Redden referred this proposal to the Public Affairs Committee.
New Business:
Motion by Erickson and Woodruff that RESOLUTION NO. 12-345-22 ESTABLISHING THE PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR TAXES PAYABLE IN THE YEAR 2023 be adopted as read. Carried by a unanimous yea vote of all members present on roll call.
Motion by Woodruff and Glaser that RESOLUTION NO. 12-346-22 ADOPTING THE 2023 BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF TWO HARBORS be adopted as read. Carried by a unanimous yea vote of all members present on roll call.
Motion by Woodruff and Glaser accepting nominations for a position on the City’s Library Board. Carried. Motion by Passe and Glaser Nominating Dan Thewis for the position and that RESOLUTION NO. 12- 347-22 APPOINTING DAN THEWIS AS A MEMBER OF THE LIBRARY BOARD be adopted as read. Carried by a unanimous yea vote of all members present on roll call.
Motion by Erickson and Rennwald that the meeting adjourn. Carried.
Ben Redden, President, City Council
Patricia D. Nordean, City Clerk
