Assessments for alley, parking lot approved

By Robert Williams

Editor

The City of Vergas’ ordinance regarding stray cats and dogs was discussed at the opening of the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17, after the city received multiple complaints about a dozen or more stray cats appearing on resident’s porches and around their homes.  ¶  The ongoing issue of stray, in-tact cats running around town and reproducing is the main concern, specifically, for residents on the east side of Vergas. One area that was pointed out as a gathering place for strays was the former Kading Farm & Home Center location at 215 East Frazee Avenue.  ¶  The council addressed concerns regarding stray, abandoned, or free-roaming cats through updates to city ordinances in 2023, due to complaints and a review of existing regulations.  ¶  The council passed Ordinance 2023-003 (Amending Section 91.02) regarding dogs and cats.  ¶  The updated ordinance explicitly included cats in provisions regarding running-at-large, licensing, proof of vaccination and impounding. Cats over three-months-old were required to be licensed annually with proof of a rabies vaccination.

In discussion, council member Bruce Albright pointed to the city’s ordinance, “any unlicensed animal running at large is declared a public nuisance.”

“I know our city staff has worked on trapping cats, as time permits,” said Albright. “The problem is it can be a huge expense for the city because: they catch the cat, staff has to put a notice on Facebook that they have the cat, and a picture of it, if anybody wants to claim it. They haul the cat down to Fergus Falls, where it has to go. Two hours of city time to take it down there in a city vehicle—so it could end up being a couple hundred dollars every time we haul one down there.”

The city also utilized a volunteer feral cat group in 2023 that attempted to capture and spay/neuter loose cats. Contacting the same or a similar group was one option that had some promise.

Other points included current licensing fees, which are $8 if a pet is spayed or neutered and $10, if not.

“A lot of communities have raised that rate for non-spayed or neutered animals to encourage altering your cats and dogs,” said Clerk/Treasurer Julie Lammers.

Vergas also only allows three pets per household. One suggestion was to increase that to four if all animals are altered.

An information campaign to raise awareness of the need to spay and neuter pets was also discussed.

Multiple people acknowledged that kept pets are not the problem, with feral cats being the main issue. 

“This isn’t anything we’re going to solve here, but we can start with these and follow-up and see where it takes us,” said Mayor Bruhn.

Alley assessments

Prior to Tuesday’s council meeting a public hearing was held to consider proposed property tax assessments. These assessments may be collected over a period of up to 10 years, at 6.2 percent interest as permitted under Chapter 429 and consistent with Minnesota municipal assessment practices.

The preliminary assessment roll includes six adjacent property owners of the city center parking lot and the alley improvements downtown.

The assessed total amount is $36,997.70, with the city being assessed a significant portion, over half, at $26,326.34. The remaining approximate $10,000 is split up between the remaining five properties.

The proposed assessment schedule was accepted and passed 3-1 with one dissenting vote from Dean Haarstick.

A resolution adopting the schedule and 10-year interest period was also passed 3-0, with Haarstick abstaining from the vote.

The council also voted to utilize city funds to pay off its portion ($26,326.34). That vote was unanimously approved. 

Grants

Lammers updated the city’s stance on grant applications during her report.

An OSHA Safety Grant of $10,000 with a 50/50 match was received to use SandS Security Services to install cameras at the City Office and shop. This should be completed by the end of February

The Wellhead Protection Plan for a fence around the water plant was approved: a $15,000 grant with no match. The funds were initially on hold and Vergas was put on a priority waiting list. Funds are now available and will be dispersed in the coming weeks.

Personnel

The Personnel Committee decided to implement an annual handover checklist for each employee to identify work tasks for the committee to review. The purpose of the checklist is to help ensure the city is prepared in the event an employee must take leave without advance notice.

Reviews

After committee reviews, it was agreed upon to have the city attorney and city engineer provide a concise, monthly report of activities to review. Widseth and City Engineer Blaine Green provided the following example of his current and future duties in regards to Vergas:

Ongoing Items:

• Parking lot:

o Punchlist items (concrete walk) to be completed in spring

o Final hearing in February

o Project closeout to follow

• Keilley Shores development

o Waiting on coordination from developer’s engineer

• Lead Service Lines

o Staff is sending me the last handful of services, and I’ve been entering them into the City GIS website.

• LRIP Grant

o March 30 is typically when they announce awards

Upcoming Items:

• Gravel Pit permitting

o Flight scheduled for April

o Report to follow

On the radar:

• Project Priority List and Intended Use Plans (utilities)

o Discuss at upcoming utility committee meeting

o Identify system needs with staff

o Develop a preliminary engineering report (PER)

• Street projects

o Work with staff to identify needs