At its Sept. 6, 2016, meeting, the South Haven City Council approved a preliminary budget for 2017 of $196,703. The 2017 levy (collectable taxes) was approved at $141,581, an increase of 18 percent or $21,597 over the previous year.
The city?Äôs Truth In Taxation meeting will allow the public to make comment on the levy. The final levy can be lower than the preliminary one filed with the state by Sept. 30, but it cannot exceed that amount.
After researching options, the council approved spending $795 per year for GovOffice to set up and maintain a new website for the city. This is the same provider used by the cities of Kimball and Annandale.
The city of South Haven received an emergency loan from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust last year to pay for demolition of 401 Oak Avenue (the former Municipal Liquor Store). Loan repayments must begin this month. The first payment due is $12,000 which is interest-free. The remaining payments would be $12,914 each of four years, unless more of the principal can be paid down now. The council approved paying the first installment of $12,000 this month.
The council unanimously approved the request by Tom Lundeen to allow steel storage containers at his already-approved storage facility in town. This would be in lieu of a pole shed or stick-built building. Each container would be 10×20 or 10×40, and he plans to install about 20 containers. There will still be lighting and security, and all other zoning conditions will be met.
In August, there were 2 rescue calls, and 2 fire calls in South Haven. The South Haven Fire Department will pay to purchase an automated external defibrilator (AED), and the city agreed to pay for a storage box and any other related expenses.
The council approved closing Lincoln Ave. from about noon Sept. 17 until noon Sept. 18 for a resident?Äôs birthday party.
Two state DFL candidates introduced themselves and their platforms briefly at the meeting. Courtney Phillips is running for MN State House of Representatives District 29A, and Janice Kittok is running for MN State Senator.
The public parking lot area (to the south of the post office) is prepared; it just needs car stops. The council approved spending up to $1,500 for them. (They received one bid of $1,300 for 20.)
The city has been notified that AT&T Services no longer plans to lease the new Cingular wireless cell tower; the site near the city?Äôs wastewater pond will not be their new tower location.
A demolition permit was issued for 600 Fairhaven Ave. (at corner with Hwy. 55), a vacant substandard structure.
The next meeting of the South Haven City Council will be at
7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4.