Edina City Council Holds January Meeting
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Citizen Surveys Identify City Lake Improvements as Top Priority, Police Chief to Begin Sending Letters to Dilapidated Building Owners, City Ordinances to be Enforced
Submitted by Margaret Gibson, City Clerk
DRAFT – January 14, 2021 – The Board of Aldermen met in regular session with Mayor Alex Reel presiding. Aldermen present: Dot Kriegshauser, Delmar Strange, David Bugh, Rick Yoakum, Mark Parrish. Absent: Staci Rimer. Others present: Joe Dimmitt, Superintendent of Utilities; Rev. David Atkins, Edina Assembly of God Church; Echo Menges, Edina Sentinel Editor.
Mayor Alex Reel called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Rev. David Atkins. Delmar Strange led the pledge of allegiance.
CITIZEN COMMENTS: Echo Menges reported that the Chamber of Commerce will be taking orders for chocolate covered strawberries that will be available for pick-up or delivery on February 12th. Profits from this fundraiser will be used for Chamber projects.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mayor Reel reported that the Knox County Extension Council recently voted to approve the lease agreement with the City for a portion of the City Lake property to be used by the 4-H Council. The signing of this lease agreement has not been scheduled at this time.
Mayor Reel also reported that Corey Moon, City Attorney, said he was unable to draft the proposed ordinance to close a portion of South Fifth Street in time for this meeting but would have it for the February meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
The Board reviewed a proposed engineering agreement with Klingner & Associates for the water tower inspection and painting that has been budgeted this year. Motion was made by David Bugh and seconded by Mark Parrish to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Klingner & Associates for the water tower inspection and report; bidding; and construction observation services. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Reel reviewed proposed Resolution No. 715 with the Board. She explained that this resolution is for adopting the Knox County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan identifies mitigation goals and actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property in the City of Edina from the impacts of future hazards and disasters. Motion was made by Dot Kriegshauser and seconded by Rick Yoakum to adopt Resolution No. 715. Motion carried unanimously.
Joe Dimmitt, Superintendent of Utilities, met with the Board. He said he would like to get the process started to order a new truck that is budgeted and also start looking for a used oil distributor truck. He said it will take several months to get the new truck equipped and ready for use even if the order is placed now. Joe also confirmed that the Duramax will be sold when the new truck arrives. Motion was made by Rick Yoakum and seconded by David Bugh to order the truck and begin a search for a oil distributor. Motion carried unanimously.
MAYOR’S REPORT/ALDERMEN COMMENTS
Alex said the new roof on City Hall was completed in December and now it is obvious that eaves-troughs are going to be needed and possibly snow guards. Motion was made by Rick Yoakum and seconded by David Bugh to get bids for guttering and metal roof snow guards. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Reel said the City received lots of good comments when the recent survey was taken. Some comments were made regarding the condition of some homes and buildings that fall in the category of “fix or flatten”. Alex suggested some type of incentive to encourage homeowners to improve the exterior of their homes. She also said the City has ordinances in place for dilapidated buildings and Ryan Bishop, the Chief of Police, will begin making contacts and sending letters to enforce these. Alex asked the Board to check their wards and turn properties over to Ryan that need to be addressed.
The top three responses in the rankings on the City survey were: build swimming area and campgrounds at Edina City Lake; sidewalk repair program offering partial reimbursement; and repair concrete on tennis/basketball courts at Miller Friendship Park. The Board shared their thoughts regarding some of the citizen concerns such as setting up guidelines to apply for a sidewalk grant; demo of the former water treatment plant; and siding or painting of the former City Shed. The Board also suggested that Joe get some numbers for replacing an old water line at the Sewer Plant.
Motion was made by David Bugh and seconded by Mark Parrish to adjourn. Motion carried and the meeting was adjourned.