City Council Meeting

City of Holdingford Public Hearing and Council Meeting Minutes (Approved) November 13, 2012 Present at the meeting: Kim Ebnet, Mike Odden, Lloyd Rausch, Susan Marstein, Ernie Schmit, Vicki Statz, Sandra Meer, David Blommel, Al Leinen, Keith Hommerding, Dan Fiedler, Lewis Becker, Michelle Mader, Louis Walz, Jeremy Freudenrich, John Hoefs, Louise Winkler, Laverne Woidyla, Lisa McClintock, and Luke Sjurseth. Mayor Ernie Schmit called the public hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing was to determine easement rights for the property at 321 Hill Street. A sewer line is located in the alleyway and approximately 2.5 feet of the garage encroaches on the 20 foot wide alley. After residents comments were heard, Mike Odden made a motion to close the public hearing at 7:05. Lloyd Rausch seconded the motion. AIF. Mayor Ernie Schmit called the November council meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Sue Marstein made a motion to grant easement for the garage at 321 Hill Street in the alley as stated in Resolution 12-11-13-01. Lloyd Rausch seconded the motion. AIF Motion to approve checks was made by Sue Marstein seconded by Lloyd Rausch. AIF Motion to approve bank reconciliation for October, 2012 statements was made by Kim Ebnet, seconded by Sue Marstein. AIF Motion to approve electronic transfers, debit card purchases was made by Kim Ebnet, seconded by Sue Marstein. AIF Motion to approve minutes of the October, 2012 council meeting was made by Sue Marstein, seconded by Mike Odden. AIF Liquor Store report was given by Mayor Ernie Schmit in the absence of manager, Pat Meier. Gross revenue for October was $32,296.86 with expenses at $24,052.35. Lottery YTD revenue $3,489.86, leaving a balance of revenue for the L.S. at $14,308.15. A list of 12 NSF checks from 2009 to present was submitted. Mike Odden made a motion to send the checks to a collection agency. Kim Ebnet seconded the motion. AIF Discussion was held on accepting any checks since a cash machine is located in the bar as well as accepting debit/credit card payments. Keith Hommerding gave the Fire Department report. He attended the Stearns County Fire Chief’s meeting; the firefighters replaced batteries in residents’ homes; they helped with the Safe House program for Kindergartners; the FD received a $4,700 payment from the Verso Mill fire; a $5,000 donation was made for the fire truck fund from the Fire Relief Association gambling fund; both EMT’s, Dorine Rausch and Pat Meier, are taking a refresher course; the oil was changed in the fire trucks; and Steve Feldewerd is leaving the department. Mike Odden made a motion to adopt Resolution 12-11-13-05 to raise the amount of the Benefit Service Pension from $900 to $1000 per year of service for fully vested fire fighters. Kim Ebnet seconded the motion. The fire departments Benefit Pension payout is lower than many surrounding area fire departments and has been set at $900 since 2005.Motion passed. Lloyd Rausch abstained from the vote The motor on the city siren by the water tower needs repair. An estimate of $2,000 was submitted for the repairs. Mayor Schmit will check on grant money from FEMA for a new siren before going ahead with the repairs. Maintenance Report was read by Mayor Schmit. Hydrants were flushed; sludge was hauled and spread; the sprinkler system and the bathrooms at Veteran’s Park were winterized; the bristles on the snow sweeper broom were replaced; both of the Maintenance personnel tested and passed their licensure for waste water treatment. Mayor’s report included a reminder for winter parking restrictions on city streets from 2:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m. and introduced the new city clerk, Sandra Meer. Old Business Dave Blommel reviewed the remaining items for the street project. Salitros property at 331 Prairie Street had repair work done on the street and curb is cracked. Council agreed to pay Opatz Excavating half of the amount now for repairs and half in the spring after the frost goes out and the road settles to determine if more repairs are needed. PPE# 13 on the 2012 Street and Utility Rehabilitation project to Larsen Excavating in the amount of $2,022.54 was approved for payment on a motion by Lloyd Rausch, seconded by Sue Marstein. AIF PPE #3 on the 2011 Street and Utility Rehabilitation project to Larsen Excavating in the amount of $87,686.32 was approved for payment on a motion by Mike Odden, seconded by Sue Marstein. AIF The rail for the handicap ramp will be installed this week. Pay Invoice #268168 from SEH in the amount of $25,448.15 was approved on a motion by Sue Marstein, seconded by Lloyd Rausch. AIF Louis Walz noted problem with water drainage after sidewalk was put in at 140 Plymouth. SEH will meet with Walz to determine further action. There was discussion on extending Main Street south past Park Street to accommodate possible Assisted Living project. The Gerard Wentland property is ready to be sold. The city will purchase the 10 acre parcel for $35,000. The land will be rented out with the stipulation that sludge be spread and tilled in twice per year. New Business Dan Fiedler asked for approval on the gambling license for the Husker Booster Club at Minnesota 13. Holdingford City Council adopted Resolution 12-11-13-02 on a motion made by Kim Ebnet, seconded by Lloyd Rausch to have a gambling license for pull tabs at Minnesota 13. AIF Holdingford City Council adopted Resolution 12-11-13-03 on a motion by Lloyd Rausch, seconded by Mike Odden allowing the Holdingford Commercial Club to have gambling of pull tabs at the Holdingford Municipal Liquor Store. AIF Holdingford City Council adopted Resolution 12-11-13-04 on a motion by Mike Odden, seconded by Sue Marstein allowing the Holdingford Commercial Club to have gambling of pull tabs at the Minnesota 13. AIF Luke Sjurseth, owner of Minnesota 13 requested a 2:00 a.m. closing time for the bar. Mike Odden made a motion to set a Public Hearing for December 10, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. to hear residents’ comments. Sue Marstein seconded the motion. AIF Kim Ebnet made a motion to set a Public Hearing for December 10, 2012 to follow the first hearing to seek input for changing the winter parking ordinance to accommodate a 2:00 a.m. bar closing time. Lloyd Rausch seconded the motion. AIF The results of the November 6, 2012 General Election were canvassed by the Holdingford City Council. Mike Odden made a motion to approve $15 fee for new clerk to attend Region 3 MCFOA meeting. Sue Marstein seconded the motion. AIF A motion was made by Kim Ebnet and seconded by Mike Odden to approve $3,000 reimbursement for the 2012 Summer Recreation Program that is put on by Holdingford Community Education. AIF The delinquent utility bills for the month of October include; Mark McClintock $365.18; Janice Zarbok $343.88; James Urbanshich $323.08; Miles Sinner $331.37; and Ed Erlichmann $513.13. There was discussion on hiring part-time help for snow removal on the city sidewalks. No decision was made. A motion was made by Mike Odden and seconded by Sue Marstein to approve the labor agreement contract between the City of Holdingford and American Federation of State, County And Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO Local Union No 748, Council 65. AIF Mayor Schmit reported on Mayor’s meeting with Michelle Bachman’s office and the League of Minnesota Cities meeting that Sue Marstein, Lloyd Rausch and Mayor Schmit attended in October. A motion was made by Sue Marstein to approve Resolution 11-13-12-06 for the 2013 Stearns County Sheriff’s Office contract renewal for Police Services at $45 per hour for 6 hour per week. Lloyd Rausch seconded the motion. AIF Michelle Mader requested a discount on her August water and sewer bill. The maintenance crew took a reading with the Trimble after her bill went up substantially. Sue Marstein made a motion to give a $100 discount to Maders. The motion failed for lack of a second. The Commercial Club checked with the DNR regarding dredging out the river by the campground to make it more feasible for fishing and a canoe access. Motion to adjourn regular council meeting was made by Lloyd Rausch, seconded by Sue Marstein. AIF Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sandra Meer City Clerk City of Holdingford