Pierz public meetings in 2022
14 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
December Council
The Pierz City Council held a Truth-in-Taxation public hearing on December 12, 2022, with no public comment received. City Administrator Bob Otremba reported the 2023 preliminary levy is set at $356,734.00, a 3% increase ($10,390.00) from 2022, split equally between the General Fund and Fire Fund. He noted both funds have been underfunded for three to four years, with the General Fund underfunded by $23,000 and the Fire Fund by over $47,000 in the 2023 budget. The hearing was adjourned unanimously at 7:10 pm.
- Held Truth-in-Taxation public hearing, no public comment received
- Reported 2023 preliminary levy set at $356,734.00, a 3% increase from 2022
- Adjourned public hearing at 7:10 pm, motion carried unanimously
November Council
The Pierz City Council held a public hearing on November 28, 2022, to consider certifying two uncollected items payable to the city: solid waste fees and sidewalk snow removal. No public input was offered. The hearing was adjourned without a formal decision on certification.
- Public hearing on special assessment certification held and adjourned (no formal action taken)
- Discussed uncollected solid waste fees and sidewalk snow removal charges
- Noted city uses Revenue Recapture Program sparingly and will continue picking up solid waste
November Council
The Pierz City Council approved the purchase of a used 2019 Toro sprayer from MTI for $46,490.63 to replace a 23-year-old broken unit. The council also approved five building permits, the 2023 Park Complex rates with new weekend/holiday pricing, four tobacco licenses, a $100 donation to the Morrison County Historical Society, a new Ricoh copier for $6,355, and a liability waiver form. Election results were canvassed, and a coin flip determined Sherry Skochenski as the winner for city treasurer, but she declined the position, leaving the appointment to the new council in January.
- Approved purchase of used 2019 Toro sprayer from MTI for $46,490.63
- Approved five building permits (Holy Trinity School, RPSWD, Megan Bridewell)
- Approved 2023 Park Complex rates with $47 weekend/holiday and $45 weekday rates
- Approved tobacco licenses for Red's Auto Inc., Pierz Foods, Vet's Oil Co. Inc., and Lloyd's Discount Liquor
- Approved $100 donation/membership to Morrison County Historical Society
- Approved purchase of new Ricoh copier from Metro Sales for $6,355.00
- Approved liability waiver form without waiving monetary limits on municipal tort liability
- Approved MMUA electric meter training for Public Works Supervisor Eric Gaffke for $630 plus expenses
October Council
The Pierz City Council reviewed the finance plan for the 2024 Street Improvement Project, with an estimated bond of $2,648,548 over 20 years at 4.0% interest, and an annual payment of $192,600. The council approved the agenda with an addition for a bituminous patch on Oak St, approved two exempt permits, and approved a $7,425 patch for Oak St. The council also approved the September 2022 treasurer's report and claims totaling $554,976.01.
- Reviewed 2024 Street Improvement Project finance plan with $2,648,548 bond estimate
- Approved bituminous patch on Oak St for $7,425.00
- Approved exempt permit for Grad Bash purse raffle on November 6, 2022
- Approved exempt permit for St. Joseph's Church Bingo on November 20, 2022
- Approved September 2022 treasurer's report with checkbook balance of $2,559,190.33
- Approved September 2022 claims for $554,976.01
- Approved September 26, 2022 council meeting minutes
- Approved agenda with addition of Oak St. patch item
September Council
The Pierz City Council approved a 3% preliminary levy increase for 2023, totaling $356,734, and the 2023 preliminary budget. They also approved nine building permits, moved forward with the 2024 Street Improvement Project design, and set a public hearing for the final budget and levy.
- Approved 2023 preliminary levy of $356,734 (3% increase) (unanimous)
- Approved 2023 preliminary budget (unanimous)
- Set Truth-in-Taxation public hearing for Dec 12, 2022 (unanimous)
- Approved nine building permits including mobile home and carport (unanimous)
- Approved $245,000 for SEH design and bidding of 2024 Street Improvement Project (unanimous)
- Approved $5,000 feasibility study for streetlighting (unanimous)
- Approved exempt permit for Knights of Columbus raffle (unanimous)
- Approved background checks for police candidate Preston Rocheleau (unanimous)
August Council
The Pierz City Council held a workshop on August 29, 2022, discussing a potential one-year moratorium on newly allowed cannabis products, the 2023 budget and property tax levy, and the possible sale of the city shop property at 414 N Main St. No formal decisions were made; the council only discussed these items and directed staff to work on resolution language for the moratorium.
- Approved agenda with addition of city shop property sale discussion (unanimous)
- Discussed potential one-year moratorium on cannabis product sales; no action taken
- Discussed 2023 budget with revenues of $3,933,957 and expenses of $3,685,038; no action taken
- Discussed property tax levy increase options of 3% to 7%; no action taken
- Discussed possible sale of city shop property at 414 N Main St; no action taken
August Council
The Pierz City Council approved the purchase of the gravel pit for $100,000 using ARPA funds, despite concerns about city finances. The motion passed 4-1, with Council Member Lynn Egan voting no. The council also approved a pass-through donation to the Pierz Fire Relief Association for Oktoberfest, the treasurer's report, and claims for July 2022. No other substantive decisions were made; the front-end loader discussion was tabled for further research.
- Approved gravel pit purchase for $100,000 using ARPA funds (4-1)
- Approved Pierz Fire Relief Association pass-through donation for Oktoberfest (unanimous)
- Approved treasurer's report with checkbook balance of $2,830,638.47 (unanimous)
- Approved claims of $422,711.62 for July 2022 (unanimous)
- Approved minutes of July 25, 2022 meeting (unanimous)
- Approved agenda with addition (unanimous)
July Council
The Pierz City Council unanimously approved the purchase of the BH Auto building at 501 Industrial Park Road for $450,000 to relocate the city shop, with $200,000 down and $250,000 financed over 5 years at 5% interest. The council also approved a $0.50/month increase in the solid waste drive-by fee for customers, raising it to $6.50/month, and approved the related Pierz Sanitation contract amendment. Election judge pay was increased to $15/hr (head judge to $20/hr), and the 2022 updated fee schedule was approved. All other agenda items, including a building permit and exempt permits for Holy Trinity School events, were approved unanimously.
- Approved purchase of BH Auto building at 501 Industrial Park Road for $450,000 (unanimous)
- Approved $0.50/month increase in solid waste drive-by fee to $6.50/month (unanimous)
- Approved Pierz Sanitation contract amendment for $0.50/month increase (unanimous)
- Approved 2022 updated fee schedule with new solid waste and electric charges (unanimous)
- Approved election judge pay increase to $15/hr and head judge to $20/hr (unanimous)
- Approved building permit for accessory structure at 311 Cassie Circle (unanimous)
- Approved exempt permits for Holy Trinity School events (Steak and Wine, Calendar, Carnival) (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution #2022-0725-1 for Master Joint Powers Agreement (unanimous)
June Council
The Pierz City Council approved a three-year school resource officer contract with ISD #484 at $7,000 per year, denied a building permit for a temporary accessory structure, and approved two other building permits. They also created a 2024 Street Improvement Fund, approved an interfund loan, and tabled a fuel surcharge request from Pierz Sanitation for further committee review.
- Approved school resource officer contract with ISD #484 for $7,000/year (unanimous)
- Denied building permit for Jerome Kammermeyer at 102 Vincent St N (unanimous)
- Approved building permits for Jake Nelson and ISD #484/RA Morton (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution #2022-0627-1 establishing interfund loan from Electric Fund to Golf Fund (unanimous)
- Created 2024 Street Improvement Fund and transferred $30,000 from Third Ave N Project Fund (unanimous)
- Approved park shelter donation request from Pierz American Legion Club and Auxiliary (unanimous)
- Tabled Pierz Sanitation fuel surcharge request for Solid Waste Committee review (unanimous)
- Approved pay increase for Nick Scholl to $16.00/hr and hiring Derek Stangl at $10.50/hr (unanimous)
June Council
The Pierz City Council approved 11 building permit applications, including concrete work, a columbarium, and temporary mobile equipment for Northern Network Concepts, with Council Member Lynn Egan abstaining. The council denied Tyler Kloss's request to change his Industrial Park lot use from a cabinet shop to a storage unit facility. They also approved a $1,450 donation to the Initiative Foundation for 2023, a $0.50/hour pay increase for Jeremy Girtz, and a $1,000 pass-through donation for the Rock, Roll, and Stroll event. The council cashed in two $500,000 CDs, transferring one to the Park Complex Expansion Fund.
- Approved Resolution #2022-0613-1 for Bridewell variance (unanimous)
- Approved 11 building permits (4-0, Egan abstained)
- Denied Tyler Kloss's request to change lot use to storage facility (unanimous)
- Approved $1,450 donation to Initiative Foundation for 2023 (unanimous)
- Approved $0.50/hour pay increase for Jeremy Girtz (unanimous)
- Approved $1,000 pass-through donation for Rock, Roll, and Stroll (unanimous)
- Cashed in $500,000 Electric Fund CD and transferred to Park Complex Expansion Fund (unanimous)
- Cashed in $500,000 General Fund CD into checking account (unanimous)
April Council
The Pierz City Council, acting as the Local Board of Appeals and Equalization, heard two property valuation appeals for taxes payable in 2023. They voted to keep the assessed value of Arvin and Virginia Litke's property at 127 4th Ave NW unchanged, and approved a $3,900 reduction for Dave and Tammy Saehr's duplex at 319 Karst St. The meeting was otherwise procedural.
- Denied appeal of Litke property assessment increase from $150,000 to $188,000 (25% increase)
- Approved $3,900 valuation reduction for Saehr duplex at 319 Karst St due to bathroom misclassification
- County assessor explained residential classification change for Litke property from class 2 to 3
- County staff noted comparable sales cited by Litke were too old to reflect current market
April Council
The Pierz City Council approved a $174,931 low bid from Irrigation by Design for the new nine-hole golf course irrigation installation. They also approved three building permits, including 20 duplexes and a community building for the Roach Development on South Park Drive, and a hold harmless agreement with MN Power for digital map conversion. The council approved the updated 2022 fee schedule, a $1,500 Oktoberfest donation, the treasurer's report, and March 2022 claims of $275,680.85.
- Approved $174,931 irrigation bid by Irrigation by Design (unanimous)
- Approved building permits for James Caza, Premium Concrete, and Roach Development (20 duplexes + community building) (unanimous)
- Approved Hold Harmless and Indemnification Agreement with MN Power (unanimous)
- Approved updated 2022 fee schedule (unanimous)
- Approved $1,500 donation for Oktoberfest 2022 (unanimous)
- Approved treasurer's report with checkbook balance of $1,636,837.85 (unanimous)
- Approved March 2022 claims of $275,680.85 (unanimous)
March Council
The Pierz City Council unanimously agreed to suspend the River Valley Townhomes Phase II construction until December 31, 2023, and will readdress it in a year. The council also approved several resolutions and purchases, including a new snowblower and irrigation improvements, and tabled wage recommendations for part-time employees.
- Suspended River Valley Townhomes Phase II until Dec 31, 2023 (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution #2022-0314-1 reestablishing voting precinct boundaries (unanimous)
- Tabled part-time golf course and public works employee wage recommendations (unanimous)
- Approved moving $7,950 park dedication fee to Parks dedicated fund (unanimous)
- Approved snowblower purchase from Sunrise Ag for $9,350 (unanimous)
- Approved irrigation improvement from Clesens for $25,970.26 (unanimous)
- Scheduled city council workshop for March 24, 2022 at 6:00 pm (unanimous)
- Approved February 2022 claims for $249,567.32 (unanimous)
January Council
The Pierz City Council unanimously approved a Conditional Service by Exception Agreement with Minnesota Power to annex seven properties on Park Avenue SE and the new nine-hole golf course into the city's electric service territory, with an initial investment estimate of $10,177. The council also approved several permits, a fire relief bylaws amendment, and two donations. All decisions were made unanimously.
- Approved Conditional Service by Exception Agreement with Minnesota Power (unanimous)
- Approved renewal of Consumption and Display Permit for Pierz Golf Course and Campgrounds (unanimous)
- Approved Special Event Permit for Bootlegger's Bar on July 15, 2022 (unanimous)
- Approved amendment to Pierz Fire Relief Association Bylaws (unanimous)
- Approved $1,000 donation to Horizon Health - Faith in Action (unanimous)
- Approved $1,500 pass-through donation to Freedom Fest from Pierz Fire Relief Association (unanimous)