City Council Meeting

Public Hearing and Holdingford City Council Meeting August 10, 2015 Mayor Sue Marstein called the August council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and Boy Scout, Mason Seep led the pledge of allegiance. Present: Lewis Becker, Eric Berscheid, Sue Marstein, Mike Odden, Alan Walz, Sandra Meer, Keith Hommerding, Pat Meier, Dorine Rausch, Tony Stalberger, Amy Fuechtmann, Jason Langner, Chase Larson, Molly Thompson, Carlena Johnson, Bob Pueringer, Ernie Schmit, Mason Seep, Gordy Sjaaheim, and Louie Walz. Motion to approve consent agenda consisting of claims, checks, electronic transfers and withdrawals, and minutes of the July 13, 2015 council meeting was made by Lewis Becker. Motion seconded by Alan Walz. AIF Guests Chase Larson and Amy Fuechtmann from Central Minnesota Credit Union addressed the council requesting to be named as a city depository and highlighting the credit unions banking services, programs and community involvement. The council normally approves the depositories at the beginning of the fiscal year. Chase Larson will follow up then. Molly Thompson from Schlenner Wenner & Co. presented the 2014 audit results for the city. In general, propriety funds were at a loss compared to 2013; liabilities decreased and assets increased; revenues were up 5% and expenses were up about 4.5%. Molly summarized the management letter with recommendations. She also noted that Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) changes could affect future funding options for cities if the city and fire relief associations choose not to implement GASB Statements 67 and 68. The Statements both have to do with pension liabilities and determining the effect on the fire relief association and the city. Jason Langner, owner of the Lake Wobegon Trailside Café requested a 3.2% liquor license to add bottled beer and wine coolers to his menu. Mike Odden made a motion to approve a 3.2 % liquor license for the Lake Wobegon Trailside Café. Lewis Becker seconded the motion. AIF Department Reports Liquor Store report was given by Manager Pat Meier. July gross revenue = $50,262.04. Expenses = $44,214.26. YTD lottery = $1,927.38. Year to date balance = $5,173.01. The motor froze on the tap cooling system and C&L Distributing will replace the system for approximately $1,000.00. Estimate for a new camera-recorder was $1,865.00 and a double door freezer was estimated at $1,831.00. The Liquor Store budget meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, August 18 th at 5:30 p.m. Fire Department report was given by Chief Keith Hommerding. There have been 59 calls this year including 36 in the City, six in Krain, ten in Brockway, six in Holding and one in Avon Township. Information for the calendar fundraiser is being collected. Printing will be done locally by Rengel Printing in St Cloud. Matt Philippi moved out of response area and is on six month trial period for calls and meeting attendance. Adam Lane accepted job in North Dakota and is no longer with the department. The Stearns County Fire Chief’s will meet with Xcel Energy on August 31st to discuss ways to improve services in our area. On Tuesday, October 13th the department will host the Stearns County Fire Chief’s meeting at the City Center. Dorine Rausch, Emergency Manager, is hosting the Emergency Managers quarterly meeting at the City Center in October. Dorine is also meeting with MN Rural Water, Mayor Marstein and city employees to review Wellhead Protection Plan on Monday, August 17 th. She noted that the Maintenance Department requested a 1500 megahertz radio for the Maintenance Garage. Maintenance Report was read by Mayor Sue Marstein. Approximately 8,000 feet of sanitary sewer was cleaned and jetted using the jetter from City of Upsala, including the old clay pipe from school to 3rd Street and all lines northwest of the lift station on County Road 17 and County Road 9 on west side of river. The jetter will be requested for some additional cleaning. Street sweeper was used to clean Upsala streets in exchange for using their jetter. Tri-County Septic pressure washed and cleaned the lift station. The SCADA system is working and will be complete after a phone land line is hooked up this week. Maintenance and repairs were completed on backup power generators. Unfinished Business The speed limit study for reduced speed signs on County Road 9 is being completed by County. After discussing and comparing Xtratyme Technology rates with other companies for internet services, the council recommended that the Mayor negotiate with Xtratyme to increase monthly tower rental/antenna payments, upgrade internet speeds and service to the city buildings and sign a contract agreement to reflect changes made in a timely manner. New Business The new SCADA system, used to access and monitor the water and wastewater systems for the city can be monitored remotely with a smart phone. Currently the city provides Maintenance employees a cell phone for city business and discussed reimbursing Maintenance employees for use of personal smart phones used for city business. Mike Odden made a motion to reimburse Andy Bartkowicz $25 per month for use of his smart phone for city business. Alan Walz seconded the motion. AIF Dates were set for department budget meetings: Office and General Funds- August 12th at 4:30 p.m., Maintenance- August 17th at 5:30 p.m., Municipal Liquor Store- August 18th at 5:30 p.m., Parks- August 19th at 4:30 p.m., Fire Department- August 26th at 7:00 p.m. All budget meetings will be held at City Center. Due to the regular Council meeting date falling on Monday, October 12th which is Columbus Day, the council agreed to change the monthly meeting to the first Monday, October 5 th. Bob Pueringer requested on behalf of the American Legion that parking consideration be given to business patrons, especially Wednesday through Sunday when the Legion is open. He noted that tenants in neighboring building are using street parking in front of the Legion, sometimes leaving vehicles parked for multiple days, which limits parking for business patrons. The building owner and several tenants have been approached with the concern but it continues to be an issue. A sign is currently posted on Main Street, by Corner Pizza noting 2 hour parking restrictions from 8am-5pm. An additional parking sign will be posted on the east side of the street and a letter sent to the building owner regarding the street parking restrictions and cleaning up/creating other parking options for tenants around the building. Admin Reports Mayors Report: A 30 mph speed limit sign was ordered and will be posted on 4 th Street north of city, heading south from Holding Township. A replacement street sign was ordered for Spring Street. The Commercial Club also ordered three Main Street Business signs. Thanks to the Commercial Club who paid for half of costs for Holdingford Daze dumpster rental, extra sheriff patrol and satellite toilet rental. Mayor Marstein asked council to consider reviving the Economic Development Committee or other alternative to help promote and support area business. She also noted that Stearns County cleaned small trees and brush out of ditch between Halverson’s, Scegura’s and Wobegon Trail and planted grass. County Road 17 is scheduled to be repaved in Holdingford in 2017. Several city improvements could happen with this project including connecting sidewalks from the Wobegon Trailhead to school along County Road 17 and replacing water and sewer mains, if repaving Main Street (County Road 62) is also included in the project budget and timeframe. The City will be working with the County on costs and feasibility. The drainage culvert on County Road 17 from the school ponds will be addressed by the County. See end of minutes for full report. Council Report: Mike Odden noted updates at the Historical Society Museum and thanked the Lions Club for donating window, framing and siding for around the window as well as John Buetz, Herman Ebnet, Al Leinen and others for completing the project. Clerk’s Report: Office Assistant Kathy Yamry gave two week notice in July. There was discussion on computer issues being resolved with service provider, Xtratyme and IT support, CW Technology; and office assistant job duties including website maintenance and office hours. The office assistant position was posted and will be published. City office hours will change slightly until position is filled. Friday hours will be 8am-noon. All other days and times remain the same. The council also discussed pros and cons, and associated costs of monthly IT agreement with CW Technology versus on-call computer support. The annual TIF Reporting was completed by David Drown Associates. Announcements Residents who are delinquent in their utility payments are: Jayson Burgardt, Steven Horvath, Mara Glader, Janice Zarbok, and Edward Ehrlichman. Next council work session will be 6:00 p.m. on September 14 th before the council meeting. Agenda includes Ordinance 92: Health and Safety Nuisances and budget meetings. Motion to adjourn was made by Alan Walz, seconded by Lewis Becker. Meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sandra Meer City Clerk, Holdingford