Finance & Improvements Committee

FINANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE September 29, 2015 Page 1 Members Present: Frantsvog, Frey, Hedberg, Miller, Seymour Members Absent: Olson, Pankow Others Present: City Manager, City Clerk, Clerk Admin, City Attorney, Assistant City Assessor, Finance Director, City Treasurer, City Engineer, Assistant City Engineer, City Planner, Fire Chief, Captain White, Public Works Director, Assistant Public Works Director, Public Information Officer, Alderman Connole, Alderman Hatlelid, Alderman Jantzer, Alderman Lehner, Jill Schramm, Dave Schwengler To the Honorable Mayor and All Aldermen: Following are the recommendations of the Finance and Improvements Committee meeting called to order at 4:15 p.m. on September 29, 2015: 1. The City Council approve the following requests for final payment: a. C&C Plumbing in the amount of $21,322.60 for the Fire Station II Remodel Project (FD0023) ********** The above motion by Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Frey and was carried unanimously. 2. The City Council ratify the Fire Chief’s acceptance of the Homeland Security Grants in the amounts of $88,112 for training, $18,456 for exercises, and $97,107 for equipment. ********** The above motion by Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Frey and was carried unanimously. 3. The City Council authorize the Recreation/Auditorium Director to advertise for bids for the Replacement of the Propylene Glycol Solution for the Heating/Cooling system at the Minot Auditorium. ********** The above motion by Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Frey and was carried unanimously. 4. The City Council pass an ordinance amending the 2015 annual budget to increase revenues and expenditures in the Inspection education and training account for the Sungard permits software and decrease the capital purchases fund revenues and expenditures. (ENG006) ********** The above motion by Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Frey and was carried unanimously. 5. The City Council pass an ordinance amending the 2015 annual budget to increase revenues and expenditures in the Information Technology education & training account for the Boss Asset Management & Help Desk and decrease the equipment purchases fund revenues and expenditures. (IT0008) FINANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE September 29, 2015 Page 2 ********** The above motion by Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Frey and was carried unanimously. 6. The City Council authorize the Finance Director to advertise 836 University Avenue West for sale at a minimum bid price of $45,000 and to accept the highest bid on the property. ********** The above motion by Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Frey and was carried unanimously. 7. The City Council place and pass the following ordinances on second reading: a. Ordinance No. 5002 – $1 Million Minot Park District- Jack Hoeven Baseball Complex b. Ordinance No. 5003 – $1 Million Minot Park District- MAYSA Arena c. Ordinance No. 5004 – $1 Million Minot State University- Herb Parker Stadium d. Ordinance No. 5010 – Amending the 2015 Annual Budget- Terminal Transition Consulting e. Ordinance No. 5011 – Amending the 2015 Annual Budget- Airport Master Plan 8. The City Council authorize the recreation/Auditorium Director to advertise for bids for the replacement of the rooftop condensing unit at Minot Auditorium. ********** The above motion by Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Frey and was carried unanimously. 9. The City Council approve the acceptance of the grant from Fund for Cities of Services, Inc., for establishment and operation of a local project under the Corporation for National and Community Service’s (CNCS’s) AmeriCorps VISTA Program, and further authorize the Mayor to sign the subrecipient Grant Agreement. ********** The above motion by Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Frey and was carried unanimously. 10. The City Council approve the attached list of 2015 weed cutting and miscellaneous assessments. ********** The above motion by Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Hedberg. Terry Kongelf, representing Parker Property Group, appeared to address the assessment of weed cutting for lots near the Water Treatment Plant owned by him. He said all the lots are vacant and he received a letter from the City when he was out of town, stating the lots needed to be mowed. He said it looks like the property was only partially mowed but he is receiving an assessment for mowing of the full property. He contacted the City concerning the portion not mowed and was told this portion was unable to be accessed. He was told the original assessment was approximately $5,000. This amount was reduced by 50% to $2,382.50. He still believes this amount is too high for the portion of property mowed. Upon questioning by Alderman Miller, Mr. Kongelf stated the property has been fully mowed by a private party in the past for approximately $500. He said the majority of debris has been removed so that should not be an issue. He believes if only 20% of the property is mowed the charge should be more like $100. He still has not mowed the entire lot as he was given the impression by the City it would be mowed some more. The Public Works Director stated he received a complaint about Mr. Kongelf’s property on August 3rd. The property was inspected as a nuisance on August 5th and a letter was sent to Mr. Kongelf on August 6th. The property FINANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE September 29, 2015 Page 3 was inspected again on August 18th and when it was found it had not yet been completed, it was mowed by the City on September 1st. A portion of the property could not be mowed with City equipment due to the existing dirt ridges. Those areas would need to be cut by hand with a weed eater. It could not be mowed along the edge because posts exist from former erosion control. The Public Works Director stated the fees issued were set by Council to deter people from allowing property to overgrow, not to recoup the cost of City labor. The assessed rates are based on the lot size not the labor hours to mow. A skid steer brush mower was used on Mr. Kongelf’s property and they have reduced the charge by 50%. Upon questioning by Alderman Miller, the Public Works Director confirmed this property has received complaints in the past. Alderman Seymour moved the cost of the assessment for Parker Property Group be lowered to $1,400 to be spread over their entire property. Motion seconded by Alderman Hedberg. Upon questioning by Alderman Miller, the Public Works Director stated this is the first time this type of reduction in assessment percentage has been used. He stated Council raised fees some time ago because the fees were so low people just ignored nuisance letters and let the City mow the property. Alderman Frey doesn’t want to see a problem created by reducing fees set to deter this type of activity. Mr. Kongelf knew the property he owned had to be mowed. Alderman Miller stated the principle complaint after the flood was controlling weeds and cutting vacant properties. He believes reducing the original assessment by half is more than fair. To start backing off on fees sends the wrong message to the community. A vote was taken on the amendment by Alderman Seymour, seconded by Alderman Hedberg and carried by the following roll call vote: ayes: Hedberg, Seymour, Frantsvog nayes: Frey, Miller. Whereupon a vote was taken on the motion by Alderman Miller as amended, seconded by Alderman Hedberg and was carried by the following roll call vote: ayes: Hedberg, Seymour, Frantsvog nayes: Frey, Miller. There being no further business, Chairman Frantsvog adjourned the meeting at 4:41 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lisa Jundt, City Clerk