TRUMAN — During the Truman City Council meeting Monday, Mike Tennyson from J&M Properties was present — per the council’s request — to discuss concerns about tenants at his rental properties.

Mayor Lynn Brownlee said some properties have seen police called to them repeatedly.

“The problem that we have is, their rental agreement might say we can go in,” said Truman Police Chief Justin Jobe. “However, that does not comply with … the Fourth Amendment. The Supreme Court has made it very clear that if somebody is in a house and that’s their residence, we need a search warrant to go in.”

“The agreement that we have is direct from the Minnesota Attorney General; it’s quoted verbatim,” Tennyson said.

He went on to say that Human Services or the police or some other specific groups can enter a rental property at any time, according to the contract.

“Would you be willing to work with somebody to find an application that might better screen tenants?” Brownlee asked him.

City administrator Bethanie Ekstrom asked if Tennyson requires background checks. He said applicants can do one if they choose.

Council member Brandon Mosloski asked if there is anything in the rental contract about contact with law enforcement, specifically what happens if there are so many contacts within a certain time frame.

“Absolutely, if we find out about it,” Tennyson said.

Tennyson said the contract states that if police are called two times, a tenant cannot be evicted but there can be a renters conference to discuss the problem.

Mosloski stressed that he would like to see better communication between law enforcement and Tennyson so that any problems are brought up right away.

Brownlee next told Tennyson that several properties look rough on the exterior, specifically due to chipped paint and long grass. Tennyson said the properties were chipped because they were being prepared to be painted. He said the lawns were recently mowed.

Council member Kathy Hendricksen asked if pets are allowed in the properties. Tennyson said it is a $500 non-refundable fee if people want pets. Hendricksen said she knows that one property has multiple pets that are not on leashes when outside. Tennyson said that issue should be dealt with by police.

“We’ll leave it at that and hopefully things will improve,” Brownlee said.

In other business at the council meeting, China House Cafe owner Johnny Vuong was present with concerns about his utility bills.

“I’m not here to complain. I need to solve this problem. I need to bring it up because I can’t afford these bills,” he said.

Ekstrom said that for the month of June, Vuong’s water and sewer usage was 9,400 gallons. In July, it was 27,000 gallons.

“What made it fluctuate that much and what can Johnny be doing differently?” Ekstrom asked.

Hendrickson said she does not believe it is an issue that the council can solve, but should be directed to Public Utilities.

“I agree but it’s good for the council to be aware that a business owner is having these issues in town,” Ekstrom said. “Johnny has expressed concern before about how he is going to keep his business open.”

“It’s not you guys but I cannot find an answer from [Public Utilities],” Vuong said. “They keep saying we have a leak. That is not the case, we don’t have any leak.”

He added that he has had plumbers come twice.

Hendrickson said someone from Heartland, Truman’s power distributor, should come and study why the restaurant is losing power. She said she will contact someone who can set up a study with Vuong.

In other news, Pat Jones and Marilyn Carrigan, members of Truman Active Living, were present to share some projects they are working on with the council. Jones updated the council on her goal to make Truman a bike-friendly community.

“A lot of times, first-time communities that apply don’t get it, but they’re given advice for what they can work on,” Jones said.

She said another goal is to make the area around the pool and campground more attractive, by adding a walk area and trail with bike racks, a water fountain, shrubs, flowers, benches and trash cans.

A $3,000 SHIP grant does not provide the money needed for a bike trail, so the group will look at outside grants to cover the cost. Engineering firm Bolton & Menk has provided an estimate for the project of $280,000.

“It’s something we as a city need to look at because there is money sitting out there for things like this,” Mosloski said.

Moving to other matters, Ekstrom said that during an informal meeting last week about ways to clean up Truman, sidewalk and alley appearances were discussed. Ekstrom said she looked up City Code, which states that it is the duty of the property owner to keep sidewalks and alley in repair and safe.

“Are we going to say that it’s the property owners responsibilities or is it the city’s?” Ekstrom asked.

Council member Jake Ebert said he is nervous that if the city fills one person’s alley, it will get more requests.

“I can’t count the number of calls we’ve had this year of people saying, ‘There’s a pothole in my alley’ or ‘I need gravel for my alley,'” Ekstrom said.