City Council Meeting

Holdingford City Council Meeting Minutes June 10, 2013 Mayor Ernie Schmit called the regular monthly meeting of the Holdingford City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. The pledge of allegiance was recited. Present: Lewis Becker, Susan Marstein, Mike Odden, Lloyd Rausch, Ernie Schmit, Sandra Meer, Keith Hommerding, Pat Meier, Dorine Rausch, Scott Lange, Sue Ebnet, Wayne Ebnet, Ann Imholte, Karla Kalla, Jeanette May, Ruth Odden, Jessie Scepaniak, Luke Sjurseth, Karen Solarz, Mary Solarz, Ed Vail, Arnold Voss, Florence Voss, Laverne Woidylla, Gary Zapzalka and Linda Zapzalka. After review of claims, a motion to approve checks was made by Sue Marstein, seconded by Lloyd Rausch. AIF Motion to approve bank reconciliation for May 2013 statements was made by Lloyd Rausch, seconded by Lewis Becker . AIF Motion to approve electronic transfers & debit card purchases was made by Mike Odden, seconded by Sue Marstein. AIF Motion made by Mike Odden to approve minutes of the May 2013 council meeting. Motion seconded by Sue Marstein. AIF Reports Liquor Store report was given by Pat Meier. Gross revenue for May was $34,292.92 with expenses of $33,360.63. YTD lottery is $1,848.30. YTD net revenue is $4,065.32 less inventory. Insurance rates will go down this year. No update on internet services for the Liquor Store. Meier will get a quote to replace the furnace. There was discussion on bartenders and clean-up crew for Holdingford Daze being paid as employees or independent contractors. Sue Marstein made a motion to continue to pay temporary workers on a contract basis and have them sign a waiver to address liability issues. Lewis Becker seconded the motion. Voted in favor; Lewis Becker, Sue Marstein, Lloyd Rausch, Ernie Schmit. Abstained; Mike Odden. Fire Department report was given by Keith Hommerding. 32 calls this year to date; 1 from Avon Township, 1 from Krain Township, 7 from Brockway Township, 10 from the City and 13 from Holding Township. The department has a few applications for new members and will interview soon. A bus for the bus extrication training was not available and the training has been postponed. The department has applied for a DNR grant for wild land gear and a new hose for the brush rig. The grant would require 50/50 matching funds. A replacement for the old emergency siren located up by the school has been ordered and should be installed by the end of the month. The Fire Relief Association met with the auditor. Maintenance Department Report was read by Mayor Schmit. An outside fluorescent light was fixed at the Liquor Store. The streets were swept. Lawns were repaired that were damaged by the snow plow. New blades were put on the 1445 John Deere. A defunct water meter head was replaced at a residence. The Maintenance Department has received approval from the Minnesota Department of Health for a grant totaling $2,428.50 for two new fluoride pumps. Weeds at the park and at the city lot will be sprayed when the weather dries out. Mayor Ernie Schmit gave his Mayor’s Report. See end of minutes for details. Guests Liquor Licenses: Gary and Linda Zapzalka requested a one day 3.2 liquor license for the annual Amber Zapzalka Softball Tournament to be held at the Cyril Ebnet Field. Lewis Becker made a motion to approve a Special One Day 3.2 Malt Liquor License for the Husker Athletic Booster Club which hosts the tournament on June 22, 2013 and waive the $25 permit fee. Mike Odden seconded the motion. AIF Wayne Ebnet requested a temporary 3.2 liquor license for The Holdingford Daze Softball Tournament. Mike Odden made a motion to approve a Temporary 3.2 Malt Liquor License for Holdingford Daze Softball Tournament to be held on July 12, 13 and 14, 2013 and waive the permit fee of $25. Sue Marstein seconded the motion. AIF Lloyd Rausch made a motion to approve the renewal of the On-Sale Liquor License and Special Sunday Liquor License for Minnesota 13, LLC upon receipt of required insurance certification, county licenses and permit fees. Mike Odden seconded the motion. AIF Sue Marstein made a motion to approve the renewal of the On-Sale Liquor License and Special Sunday Liquor License for the American Legion Frank Feia Post 211 upon receipt of required insurance certification, county licenses and permit fees. Lewis Becker seconded the motion. AIF 2012 Street Project: Scott Lange from SEH recommended moving stop signs at Third Street and Spring Street. Mike Odden made a motion to eliminate the stop sign coming up the hill on Spring Street to Third Street and add two stop signs on Third Street at the intersection of Spring Street. Sue Marstein seconded the motion. AIF Scott Lange reported on Prairie Street repairs where Opatz Excavating had placed drain tile and pushed pipe under the road. Half of the payment was held until the road wintered and the road repair was deemed satisfactory. Sue Marstein made a motion to pay the remaining balance to Opatz Excavating for the road repair on Prairie Street. Lloyd Rausch seconded the motion. AIF Larson Excavating is working on completing the punch list for the street project with a projected completion date of June 28th. The final layer of asphalt will be laid this week. Two residents requested to have their driveway paved when the final lift was put on. Scott Lange will follow up. Pay Invoice #268649 from SEH in the amount of $1,364.00 was approved on a motion by Mike Odden, seconded by Sue Marstein. AIF Residents’ concerns: Several residents expressed concern regarding Ed Vail’s new residence at Third and Gertrude Street. A petition was presented requesting the area be cleaned up. There was concern about his dogs barking at night as well. The concern that unlicensed vehicles, several trailers, construction materials, equipment and appliances are cluttering the yard and it is an eye sore. City Ordinances state that vehicles need to be licensed and in working condition, residential lots be maintained in a neat and orderly manner, and no rubbish, salvage materials, junk or miscellaneous refuse be openly stored. Ed Vail agreed to clean up the yard and is planning to put a fence up for the dogs. The Council granted him 30 days, until July 10 th to have his yard cleaned up and in order. Old Business Sue Marstein and Lloyd Rausch met with Lions members and they have agreed to raise funds for new playground equipment at Veteran’s Park. They are planning a raffle with the prize drawing at the end of the summer. They are looking at options for moving the horse shoe pits, putting down a ground layer and adding benches. The sign for Veteran’s Park will be put up after the street project is complete. A water pipe with a shut-off valve will be extended outside of the park shelter so campers will have access to potable water. The Council reviewed definitions and wording changes to Sections 2 and 5 of the Personnel Manual. Changes will be made and sent to the Union Representative for review. New Business Sue Marstein made a motion to approve a gambling permit for the Holdingford FFA Alumni Annual Tractor Raffle. Lloyd Rausch seconded the motion. AIF Mayor Schmit has been working with CenterPoint Energy to look at the possibility of bringing natural gas to Holdingford. Representatives from CenterPoint will be contacting residents to see how much propane they are currently using to determine cost and feasibility. Mike Odden reported on the progress of improvements at the old Maintenance Building/Museum. They are planning to have it open for Holdingford Daze. There was discussion on placing a pedestrian sign at the Lake Wobegon Trail crossing on County Road 17 to slow down traffic. Mike Odden made a motion to purchase a 4 sided pedestrian crossing sign to have on County Road 17 if the County does not cover the cost. Lewis Becker seconded the motion. AIF Residents voiced concerns regarding other residential lots that have abandoned vehicles, construction materials and rubbish, and out buildings that are not within the city ordinances. Council agreed that all residences that are not conforming to City Ordinances should be identified and given notice of non-compliance with a request to rectify the problem. Past due utility notices were sent to Diane Young, David Hageman, Mike Becker, Edward Ehrlichman, Minnesota 13, Jesse Johnson and Roger Jensen. The Annual City Wide Cleanup Day will be from 8:00 a.m. until Noon on Saturday, June 15 th. Council Members will be on hand to help unload and receive items. A public hearing to review the Wellhead Protection Plan will be at 7:00 p.m. on July 8, 2013. Motion to adjourn was made by Mike Odden, seconded by Sue Marstein. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sandra Meer City Clerk, Holdingford