Harlem City Council honors work of Harlem Civic Association

The Harlem City Council passed a resolution honoring and recognizing the work of the Harlem Civic Association, a group of volunteers formed in 2005 and devoted to the betterment of Harlem. A number of Association members were on hand to receive a plaque presented with the resolution. Council also affirmed its participation with Bear Paw Development Corporation, a group of professional planners that works closely with the city on many infrastructure and economic development projects.

The regular July council meeting was held on Thursday, July 13. Mayor Bill Taylor called the meeting to order followed by the roll call. Council members present were Kenneth Hansen, Ralph Schneider, Marc Arensmeyer, and Mayor Taylor. Council member Eva English was excused. City Clerk-Treasurer Rebecca Skoyen, Public Utilities Supervisor Richard Mohar and Street Superintendent Dale Cornell were also present.

Council moved and approved the consent agenda, which included approval of the minutes from the June 13 regular meeting. Payment for current claims and payroll for June was also motioned and approved.

Mayor Taylor read resolution 02-16-01, a resolution honoring the Harlem Civic Association. The resolution noted the group formed in 2005 and detailed a long list of improvements completed and recurring activities that the Association puts together on a regular basis for the citizens of Harlem. Council motioned to approve the resolution and it was passed.

Mayor Taylor expressed his thanks to the group, then called the group of Association members in attendance to receive a plaque to accompany the resolution. Rod Becker, who has served as president of the Civic Association since its inception, accepted the resolution and plaque on behalf of the group. Later Colleen Brommer, Library Director, said the plaque would hang in the library meeting room where the Association regularly meets.

Returning to the council agenda, Mayor Taylor asked for public comment, a time when anyone can bring up any topic, but the city council cannot take action. There were several comments ranging from concerns about drivers speeding on city streets to issues involving the decay ordinance and its enforcement.

One public comment involved a concern over the nationwide incidents of violence against law enforcement officers and the need to show the local emergency aid providers and law officers that they are appreciated. Both city and Civic Association representatives said there were plans to host an event later in the year to recognize local emergency providers and law enforcement for their efforts.

Each year local governments go through a process of officially committing to use Bear Paw Development for planning and other assistance. A motion supporting the continued relationship between the city and BPDC was read and approved. Harlem’s portion of the local matching funds to support BPDC will be $6,250. Michele Turville, the Director of Community Development for BPDC, thanked the council for continuing their relationship.

Wastewater treatment plant project. Council motioned and approved to exercise an existing option to buy approximately 32 acres of land south of the existing wastewater lagoon. The land is owned by Ede Breitmeier and will be used for the new lagoon.

Brownfields. There was a lengthy discussion about a proposed use of the old Equity Coop property as a youth baseball field. Kellie and Paul Rasmussen, representing the Harlem Youth Baseball, described some possible grants that would provide funding to develop the property as a baseball field. There was discussion about the status of the property and what local entity should eventually take over ownership in order to qualify for some of the grant possibilities.

Michele Turville and Samantha Chagnon, both with Bear Paw Development, explained some of the issues involved with cleaning up a Brownfields site. They said there was grant money both for assessment and cleanup if certain conditions were met. After extensive discussion the council motioned and approved a request that Bear Paw Development help the city, on behalf of Harlem Youth Baseball and the Civic Association, to find a way to use the Equity Coop property as a youth baseball field.

Drain ditch. Mayor Taylor shared information about progress and challenges with cleaning the drain ditch in town. He described some actions under way to clean portions of the ditch and prospects for future ways to clean and drain other parts still needing attention.

Floodplain ordinance. Blaine County is currently submitting a grant request to update plans regarding flood plains. There would be a significant savings if the city could be a part of that grant application. Council approved a motion to be a part of the floodplain application being but together by the county.

Write off list. Council motioned and approved to write off uncollectable water and sewer payments for the past year. City Clerk Skoyen noted that even though the bills are taken off the books they are still sent to a collection agency. She also added that to be city subscribers again those users on the list would have to pay their delinquent bill. Tax lien list. Council motioned and approved having the unpaid water and sewage bills of property owners added to the owners’ county property taxes.

Decay ordinance. Mayor said there are currently five active enforcement actions under the decay ordinance. He said sometimes enforcing the cleanup of a property is stymied by how the property Is zoned.

Concerns and committee reports. Public Utilities Supervisor Richard Mohar explained why there were water restrictions last week. A leaking air compressor reduced the amount of water that could be processed. He emphasized there was always enough water to fight a potential fire and the problem is under control. He said water users responded to the call for restrictions and that was a major help while the problem was being fixed.

The next regular council meeting will be August 8. Meeting was adjourned.