CEYLON– The Ceylon City Council met Tuesday evening and heard from Bjorn Olson, state representative, who explained which committees he is on in the legislature. He answered all questions the council had and emphasized that he is working for the people and especially smaller communities. Olson said he is trying to get changes made so that smaller communities are not hindered by the state regulations and are helped by the state instead. He said he was also on the transportation committee and that smaller towns have the same problem because more citizens work in other towns and no gas tax helps smaller towns. Olson also said he is against higher gas tax and will try to get legislation about using 50 percent of all auto parts sales toward roads.

Olson was asked about any grants or loans that would help Ceylon with the new road being built this summer. The council and he both agreed that this is the time to do infrastructure while the roadway would be dug up anyway. The timing is not advantageous to Ceylon since asking for grants takes months and sometimes years. The fact that the state finally decided to do the Highway 263 project after postponing it for years does not leave

Ceylon with the allotted time to ask for grants or get them written

up. Olson suggested a few loans may be available.

The meeting continued with discussions about the old city hall building which houses the Ceylon Area Historical Society Museum and Tom Beckendorf’s office. Chris Griffin asked about the part being vacated by the Ceylon First non-profit. The council discussed the lease agreement proposed for any renter. They council also discussed the loss of income concerning that building for 2021, and whether the historical building should be saved or if it’s not possible. The museum has been paying half of the LP expense but the building is 130 years old and has no insulation. There have been discussions about building a new facility there for the city hall, community center, museum and others, which would give opportunity for some to view the museum and help with income for the City.

The council decided to meet on January 18 in a special meeting to discuss the lease agreements and the federal rules about the internet money awarded. After the special meeting they will have a planning meeting. The old city hall will be available to lease by Feb. 1. Chris Griffin will have business plans available to explain the small grocery enterprise she would like to open. The meeting continued with discussion about the building permit requested by Scott Heeren. The permit was denied because the

building was already made without permission and was on City property.

In other news, the beginning of the year appointments were approved. The

depository was awarded to Portage Bank in Ceylon, the official newspaper to the Photo Press, the City Clerk Treasurer to Mary Muller. The city attorney appointment will need some bids and interviews. The committee or mayoral appointments were: Acting Mayor, Chad Dunlop; Street Department, Wayne Walter and Jodi Scott; Light and Water, Judith Perkins, John Gibeau, and Jodi Scott;Park Department, Jodi Scott and Chad Dunlop; Fire Association, Wayne Walter.

In council reports the January 18 meeting and planning meeting was mentioned and asking the League of Minnesota Cities for help about job descriptions and suggestions for council members was mentioned. The Ceylon Council handbook and ordinance book need revising. The lack of follow up about ordinance violations was mentioned and the clerk will be asked to contact the city attorney again to find out what the status is and why. The cemetery is in

need of a new ground thawer for grave digger, Larry Kling. It would be about $1,350. The council suggested the cost of the item be split between Ceylon, Lake Belt, and Tenhassen cemeteries or rent be charged. The mayor will contact the cemetery associations.

Discussion of sale of a property concluded with a request to see the plans and discuss demolition by the buyer. Discussion also was held about the house on the corner of Main Street and Grove Street. The council approved getting a lead and asbestos evaluation of that house first.

Mayor Gibeau gave an update on the CDBG-CV internet project. They hope to lay the cables when the road is open while reconstruction will be going on. Monthly updates should be, and have been, available from the grant writer.