Pierz public meetings in 2021
13 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
December Council
The Pierz City Council unanimously tabled the implementation of new electric rates and rate structure after several business owners raised concerns about significant bill increases, particularly for the Pierz Ballroom and Lanes. The council approved a $276,268.57 final invoice from Minnesota Power for the Third Ave N electric relocation project and passed Resolution #2021-1227-1 to accept ARPA funds. A council workshop was scheduled for January 3, 2022, to discuss options for phasing in the new rates.
- Tabled electric rate implementation (unanimous)
- Approved $276,268.57 final invoice from Minnesota Power for Third Ave N electric relocation (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution #2021-1227-1 to accept ARPA funds (unanimous)
- Scheduled council workshop for January 3, 2022 at 5:30 pm (unanimous)
November Council
The Pierz City Council approved seven building permits for River Valley Townhomes, two interfund loans to fund the golf course expansion, and several exempt permits. It also scheduled a public hearing for a rezone request by Pierz Townhomes, LLC. All votes were unanimous.
- Approved 7 building permits for River Valley Townhomes (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution #2021-1122-1 creating interfund loan from electric fund to golf fund (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution #2021-1122-2 creating interfund loan from solid waste fund to golf fund (unanimous)
- Approved exempt permit for Pierz Youth Baseball (unanimous)
- Approved exempt permit for St. Joseph's Church raffle (unanimous)
- Approved $100 donation to Morrison County Historical Society (unanimous)
- Approved city hall closures for Christmas and New Year's holidays (unanimous)
- Scheduled public hearing for Dec. 13, 2021 for Pierz Townhomes rezone, conditional use permit, and preliminary plat (unanimous)
September Council
The Pierz City Council approved the 2022 preliminary budget and a property tax levy of $346,344, a 3% increase from 2021. It also approved selling an Industrial Park lot to Legacy Cabinets, LLC for $1.00, along with a Developer's Agreement and Quit Claim Deed. Five building permits were approved, including a new commercial building for Tyler Kloss. Several contracts and payments were approved, including pay applications for road projects and golf course expansion contracts.
- Approved 2022 preliminary budget and property tax levy of $346,344 (3% increase)
- Approved sale of Industrial Park lot to Legacy Cabinets, LLC for $1.00
- Approved five building permits, including new commercial building for Tyler Kloss
- Approved Pay Application #4 for 3rd Ave N project for $18,102.25
- Approved Final Pay Application #5 for 2020 Street Improvement Project for $21,073.00
- Approved contracts for Scott Hoffman and Dan Bieganek for golf course expansion
- Approved fund transfers to Park Complex Expansion Fund totaling $360,000
- Approved claims for August 2021 for $440,430.95
August Council
The Pierz City Council approved two building permit applications, three exempt permits for Holy Trinity School events, and scheduled a budget meeting for August 30, 2021. The council also received updates on the 3rd Ave N project timeline and park complex expansion costs.
- Approved building permits for Richard and May Schomer (61 Summer St S) and Scott and Kristen Funk (211 Main St N) unanimously
- Approved exempt permit for Holy Trinity School Steak and Wine event on October 9, 2021 unanimously
- Approved exempt permit for Holy Trinity School Calendar on December 22, 2021 unanimously
- Approved exempt permit for Holy Trinity School Carnival on March 13, 2022 unanimously
- Scheduled city council budget meeting for August 30, 2021 at 5:30 pm at Pierz City Hall unanimously
June Council
The Pierz City Council met with NEEMPA consultant Dave Berg to discuss ongoing wholesale power contract negotiations between Minnesota Power and NEEMPA, of which Pierz is a member. No formal decisions were made; the council only heard a status update and adjourned.
- Adjourned meeting at 6:50 pm (unanimous)
May Council
The Pierz City Council approved two building permits, a $1,000 pass-through donation to Freedom Fest, an exempt permit for St. Joseph's Church, and several golf course staff hires and a wage increase. All motions were unanimous. The council also received updates on the 3rd Ave N project and a public meeting on the park complex expansion.
- Approved building permits for Dustin Betsinger (313 Robert Street S) and Jessica Leeb (125 Robert Street S) (unanimous)
- Approved $1,000 pass-through donation to Freedom Fest from Pierz Fire Relief Association (unanimous)
- Approved St. Joseph's Church exempt permit for August 1, 2021 (unanimous)
- Approved wage increase for returning clubhouse staff Ben Peterson to $11.50/hr (unanimous)
- Hired clubhouse staff Maraya Boser at $11.00/hr and Lily Riley at $10.50/hr (unanimous)
- Hired golf course grounds crew candidate Grant Kuske at $10.08/hr, up to $11.00/hr after training (unanimous)
May Council
The Pierz City Council approved liquor licenses for seven establishments for the July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 period, including B&T Bootleggers, Frosty's Bar and Grill, Lloyd's Liquor, Patrick's Bar and Grill, Pierz Ballroom, Pierz Golf Course and Campgrounds, and St Joseph's Church. The license for Pierz Legion Park was also approved with a 4-0 vote, with Mayor Fischer abstaining. A request from Pierz Ballroom owner Sharon Bell for a liquor license discount was tabled until more information is available on the Covid-19 American Recovery Act. The council also approved a $100 donation to Pine Grove Zoo, scheduled a workshop and a public meeting on the park complex pre-master plan, and approved the treasurer's report and claims.
- Approved liquor license for B&T Bootleggers (unanimous)
- Approved liquor license for Frosty's Bar and Grill (unanimous)
- Approved liquor license for Lloyd's Liquor (unanimous)
- Approved liquor license for Patrick's Bar and Grill (unanimous)
- Approved liquor license for Pierz Ballroom (unanimous)
- Approved liquor license for Pierz Golf Course and Campgrounds (unanimous)
- Approved liquor license for Pierz Legion Park (4-0, mayor abstained)
- Approved liquor license for St Joseph's Church (unanimous)
April Council
The Pierz City Council met as the Local Board of Appeals and Equalization on April 15, 2021. Morrison County Assessor Jean Popp reported no appointments were made through her office for the city, and no members of the public attended. The meeting was adjourned unanimously with no substantive decisions made.
- Adjourned meeting unanimously (3-0)
March Council
The Pierz City Council approved three building permits, an on-sale and Sunday liquor license for Pierz Ballroom and Lanes, a resolution supporting an LCCMR grant application, and several new hires including a public works superintendent and golf course employees. All votes were unanimous except for the building permits, where one member abstained. The council also received updates on federal COVID relief funds and police activity.
- Approved building permits for Premium Concrete, Toby and Lynn Egan, and Richard Henry (4-0, Egan abstained)
- Approved On-Sale and Sunday Liquor License for Pierz Ballroom and Lanes (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution #2021-0322-1 supporting LCCMR grant application (unanimous)
- Approved hiring Eric Gaffke as Public Works Superintendent at $26.00/hr, with $0.50 increase upon becoming licensed tree inspector (unanimous)
- Approved hiring golf course employees Emily Virnig, Addie Leblanc, Kegan Scholl, Piper Laney at $10.50/hr and Jill Hoheisel at $11.00/hr (unanimous)
March Council
The Pierz City Council held a workshop to discuss hiring for the public works supervisor position. The hiring committee recommended Eric Gaffke, and the city attorney found no conflict despite his relation to the city administrator. The city administrator will offer the position, with formal council approval set for the March 22, 2021 meeting.
- Recommended hiring Eric Gaffke for public works supervisor
- City attorney determined no policy conflict in hiring relative of city administrator
- City administrator to offer position pending council approval on March 22, 2021
February Council
The Pierz City Council approved conduit financing for Horizon Health, rezoned a Kloss Development parcel from R4 to R3, scheduled a public hearing for TIF District 1-12, and approved the 2021 final property tax levy. The council also increased firefighter retirement benefits, approved a special event permit for Bootleggers Bar, accepted the resignation of Public Works Supervisor Paul Hennessy, approved golf course staff pay increases, and donated $1,000 to Horizon Health Faith in Action.
- Approved Resolution #2021-0222-01 for conduit financing for Horizon Health (unanimous)
- Approved rezone of Parcel #420632000 (Kloss Development) from R4 to R3 (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution #2021-0222-02 scheduling public hearing for TIF District 1-12 (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution #2021-0222-03 2021 Final Property Tax Levy (unanimous)
- Approved increase in firefighter retirement to $2,800 per year of service (unanimous)
- Approved $14,300 yearly contribution to Pierz Fire Relief Association (unanimous)
- Approved Special Event Permit for Bootleggers Bar (unanimous)
- Accepted resignation of Public Works Supervisor Paul Hennessy (unanimous)
February Council
The Pierz City Council held a workshop and agreed to pay out 132 hours of comp time to City Administrator Bob Otremba at his rate of pay as of December 31, 2018, and allowed him until December 31, 2022, to use his vacation time. The council also discussed updates on the employee manual, fire department truck, eminent domain proceedings, apartment building leases, and a possible golf course expansion, but no formal votes were taken on these items.
- Agreed to pay out 132 hours of comp time to Bob Otremba at his rate as of Dec 31, 2018
- Allowed Bob Otremba until Dec 31, 2022, to use vacation time; excess over policy carryover will be lost
- Discussed employee manual update, with goal to complete by summer 2021
- Discussed fire department tanker truck, with city paying half; $93,000 dedicated, $20,000 due on delivery
- Noted eminent domain process for two Ricky Kirschbaum properties is progressing
- Discussed lease agreements for city apartment building and renting vacant unit
- Discussed NEMMPA negotiating with Minnesota Power for wholesale power
- Discussed golf course expansion, with concerns raised and LCCMR grant application planned
January Council
The Pierz City Council approved an ordinance amending the zoning code to allow tiny homes in the mobile home park, provided they meet building code; park models and RVs remain prohibited. The council also approved a construction engineering agreement and plans for the 3rd Ave N project, and scheduled a public hearing for Horizon Health conduit financing.
- Approved ordinance amending zoning code to allow tiny homes in mobile home park (unanimous)
- Approved construction engineering agreement with S E H for 3rd Ave N project, approx. $106,000 (unanimous)
- Approved construction plans for 3rd Ave N project (unanimous)
- Scheduled public hearing for Horizon Health conduit financing for Feb. 22, 2021 at 7:00 pm (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution #01252021-1 (roll call: 5 ayes)
- Approved January 11, 2021 council minutes (unanimous)
- Approved treasurer's report with checkbook balance of $1,991,667.67 (unanimous)
- Approved claims for December 2020 for $244,932.68 (unanimous)