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New Germany council approves baseball-park upgrades, allows snowmobile trail use and schedules tax hearing
Summary
At its Aug. 20 meeting the New Germany City Council approved upgrades to Dutchman Baseball Park proposed by the local baseball association, granted permission for snowmobile use on the Dakota Trail for a second year, scheduled a Truth & Taxation hearing for Dec. 3 and approved public-works equipment purchases.
The New Germany City Council on Aug. 20 approved a package of local projects and equipment purchases, granted renewed permission for a snowmobile route and scheduled its Truth and Taxation public hearing for Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.
Mayor Shirley Jaeger called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. and, with councilmembers Kevin Grove, Paul Roepke and Lorn Herrmann present, the council handled several motions by unanimous 4-0 votes. The session included a public comment from Jennifer Ray of Chanhassen, who raised concerns about partisan balance in absentee voting at Carver County and described the absentee voting process to the council.
The most substantive approvals were for recreation and public works projects. Ron Wischnack, representing New Germany Baseball, asked the council to approve dugout and screening improvements and the installation of artificial turf and drain tile in the home-team dugout and right field; he said the work would be at no cost to the city. Councilmember Lorn Herrmann moved and Mayor Shirley Jaeger seconded the measure, which the council approved 4-0.
Scott Wakefield of the MN United Snowmobilers Association asked for permission to use the Dakota Trail again for snowmobile routing this winter. The council indicated no objections to repeating last year’s route and Wakefield requested a copy of the minutes showing council approval.
On budget procedure, Councilmember Paul Roepke moved and Councilmember Lorn Herrmann seconded a motion to hold the city’s Truth and Taxation public hearing on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.; the motion carried 4-0.
Public Works lead Chris Barlau reported on local infrastructure items and presented quotes for a replacement 80-inch snow bucket and a hitch. Two bucket quotes were presented (Hecksel $1,570; Lanos $2,200) and a hitch quote from Lanos for $395. Councilmember Kevin Grove moved and Councilmember Lorn Herrmann seconded approval to purchase the 80-inch bucket from Hecksel and the hitch from Lanos; that motion carried 4-0. Barlau also described corroded manhole covers on Lincoln Avenue, discussed possible gutter guards for the Lindstrom building and recommended replacing the Lindstrom Park sign in spring.
Fire Chief Ryan Goede told the council the department’s tanker has been sold for $5,000; the truck will be released when the city receives the buyer’s check.
The council also approved the consent agenda — which included the Aug. 6 minutes, claims for payment and financial reports — by unanimous vote, and adjourned at 8:00 p.m. The city clerk was not present at the meeting; minutes were taken by Kevin Grove and typed by the clerk. The council noted a budget meeting scheduled for Aug. 27 at 7 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Roepke/Herrmann — approve agenda (carried 4-0); Herrmann/Jaeger — approve Dutchman Baseball Park improvements (carried 4-0); Roepke/Herrmann — schedule Truth & Taxation hearing for Dec. 3, 7 p.m. (carried 4-0); Grove/Herrmann — approve purchase of 80" bucket from Hecksel and hitch from Lanos (carried 4-0); Roepke/Herrmann — approve consent agenda (carried 4-0); Roepke/Herrmann — adjourn (carried 4-0).
The council did not take votes on donations for park improvements or on the Lindstrom Park sign replacement; Mayor Jaeger noted that the family of Bob Van Lith has offered a memorial donation in memory of Steve Van Lith.
