City Council Meetings 2016-2024

MINUTES REGULAR MEETING MOOSE LAKE CITY COUNCIL Wednesday, June 13, 2012 City Hall 6:30 PM Regular Meeting Call to Order: Mayor Ted Shaw called the meeting of the Moose Lake City Council to Order. In addition to Mayor Ted Shaw, the following City Councilors were in attendance: Curt Yort, Jim Michalski, Kris Huso, Michael Peterson. Also in attendance: City Administrator; Mark Vahlsing, Deb Mohelski, Lois Johnson, Dan Benzie, Ernie Mueller, Joe Rhein, Bradley Peterson; Bruce Ahlgren. CALL TO ORDER Pledge of Allegiance Motion made by Councilor Michalski to accept agenda with additions and corrections, seconded by Councilor Peterson . Motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA Motion made by Councilor Peterson to accept consent agenda, seconded by Councilor Huso. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT None received PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED BUSINESS Bill Carlson – Library Connection to NESC Fiber project. Library Board member Bill Carlson provided an update on the process of tying the Library into the NESC Fiber project. He also reviewed equipment upgrades that are needed to the cable access room and related equipment. There will be a one-time fee of $1000 to finalize connection of the Library. Options for upgrading the cable control room and equipment were discussed. The estimated cost for the needed upgrades is approximately $8000. The City is seeking funding assistance for the cost of the character generator, and related equipment from Mediacom as [part of the franchise agreement negotiations. But to date there has been no response from Mediacom. Motion by Yort to approve purchase of needed equipment and services related to upgrade the cable access equipment and connect the library to the NESC Fiber project. Total cost not to exceed $8000. Second by Councilor Peterson. Motion Carried Update on Mercy Hospital Project. Request for letter of support for USDA Rural Development Community Facility Loan program. Keith Carlson, Mercy Hospital CFO presented an update of the status of the hospital expansion project. He stated that the Hospital is applying for financing through the US Department of Agriculture RD Community Facility Loan program for a portion of the project cost. Mr. Carlson requested a letter of support from the City to be used in the USDA application. Motion by Councilor Peterson to submit a letter of support for the USDA RD Community Facility Loan program application being submitted by Mercy Hospital. Second by Councilor Huso Motion Carried Park Board update -Roy Peterson Park Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Work is nearly completed. The equipment is scheduled to be mounted to the ground this week. The entire project should be completed by the end of June -Earl Ellen’s Park Pavilion project Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Age to Age Committee continues to work with the City Engineer on a concept design for the Pavilion. The concept should be completed by June. Then a budget will be developed to determine the financing gap for the project. Park Board representatives have been involved in the project. This will most likely be a 2012 project. -Relay for Life memorial paver project. No new information to report Resolution 12-06-02 - Authorize application for MN Business Development Capital Project Grant - Moose Lake Hockey Association- Dan Benzie, Ernie Muller Dan Benzie and Ernie Muller representing the Moose Lake Hockey Association requested Council approval to apply for $600,000 in grant funding through the DEED Business Development Capital project program. The local match would come from other funding already committed to the project. Funding would be used to pay for a portion of Phase 3 of the Riverside Arena project. The application will be completed with the assistance of Northspan Group. The Application deadline is June 26, 2012 Motion by Councilor Huso to approve Resolution 12-06-02 - Authorize application for MN Business Development Capital Project Grant. Second by Councilor Michalski Motion Carried. Draft Ordinance 156 - Regulating vacant buildings in the City. Administrator Vahlsing stated that the City Attorney had drafted the attached ordinance for Council review. If the Council wishes to proceed with the ordinance a final draft will be completed for the July meeting. He stated that it was the City Attorney’s opinion is that the ordinance would be beneficial for the City to adopt. Resolution 12-06-1 - Calling for the sale of $1,680,000 G.O. Refunding Bonds, Series 2012A. Administrator Vahlsing stated that in order to proceed with the refinancing of 2004 Water G.O. Bonds, a resolution calling for the sale was required. He stated that if the resolution was adopted, the bond sale would likely occur at the July Council meeting. There are two repayment term options (20 and 25 years) that were recommended by Ehlers and Associates. After review the 20 year term would produce the greatest long term savings. Over the life of the bond Ehlers estimates that this option would save approximately $908,075. The annual debt service payments would increase approximately $9500. He recommended the bond sale since the long term savings would greatly outweigh the increase in annual debt payments. Motion by Councilor Peterson to approve Resolution 12-06-01 -Calling for the sale of $1,680,000 G.O. Refunding Bonds, Series 2012A Second by Councilor Huso Motion Carried Update on Local Option Sales tax referendum. Mayor Shaw requested that a committee be established to coordinate informing the public of the uses for the local option sales tax. Administrator Vahlsing will set up a meeting sometime during the last week of July. Councilors Yort, and Michalski volunteered to serve on the sales tax committee NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution 12-06-03 - Appointment of 2012 General election judges. Motion by Councilor Yort to approve Resolution 12-06-03. Appointing 2012 General election judges. Second by Councilor Peterson Motion Carried B. Hillside Terrace- Water meter replacement and Installation Contract. Administrator Vahlsing updated the Council on the agreement governing water meter replacement at the Hillside Trailer Court. The City attorney prepared an agreement to address retrofitting of the existing water meters in the Hillside Terrace trailer park. He stated that under the agreement the City will provide remote read heads for the existing meters. The trailer park owner will be responsible to install the equipment. The agreement holds the City harmless for the meter or head replacement and future operation. Administrator Vahlsing stated that the owner has agreed to the terms of the contract. Motion by Councilor Peterson to adopt agreement for water meter replacement with Hillside terrace. Second by Councilor Huso. Motion Carried REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE Police Department Report – Chief Bogenholm reviewed the May Police Department Report. He also updated the Council on the purchase of a Dodge Durango Police Vehicle from the Esko/Thomson Township Police Department. Motion by Councilor Huso, approve purchase of 2007 Dodge Durango from City of Thomson for $7000 and to authorize sale of 1999 Ford unmarked Police car. Second by Peterson. Motion Carried City Engineer’s Report City Engineer Joe Rhein summarized quotes received for the following streets to be milled and overlaid, Kenwood Avenue south of Folz Boulevard. 8th Street from Ash Avenue to 7th Street, 6th Street from Cedar Avenue to TH27 (Arrowhead Lane). The Alley off Douglas Avenue between 3rd Street and 4th Street 8th St. Alley, 6th Street. Hardrives provided the lowest quote of $63,679. Administrator Vahlsing stated that he and the City Engineer would be attending the June 20 Moose Lake township meeting to discuss the Kenwood Avenue quotes further, The City Engineer recommended that due to poor condition that all the streets listed above be reclaimed/milled and overlaid. Motion by Councilor Peterson to authorize Hardrives Inc to complete the milling/reclaiming repaving project to Kenwood Avenue south of Folz Boulevard. 8th Street from Ash Avenue to 7th Street, 6th Street from Cedar Avenue to TH27 (Arrowhead Lane), and the Alley off Douglas Avenue between 3rd Street and 4th Street 8th St. , On North Kenwood improvements will be dependent on participation by Moose Lake Township Second by Councilor Michalski. Motion Carried Engineer Rhein discussed the status of the sale of cast iron and PVC pipe from Wastewater Expansion Project No quotes were received. Motion by Councilor Michalski Authorize City Engineer to Negotiate sale of cast iron and PVC pipe. Second by Councilor Peterson. Motion Carried The City Engineer stated that the GIS mapping project was continuing. Plotting has been completed. The sewer system mapping is nearly complete. Mapping of the water and storm sewer systems have also begun. He stated that the project should be completed by the end of 2012 if not sooner. -Discuss process to preserve Wetland Credits from wastewater expansion project. After checking with the State of MN the City Engineer was informed that the Wetland Credits that had been purchased for the Wastewater Expansion project could be preserved. Previous to this the City had been informed that the Wetland Credits would be lost after 5 years. Since the Wastewater Expansion project was cancelled the credits would not be used by the City at this time. In order to preserve the credits the City would be required to request that they be moved back to the State of Minnesota Wetland Credit Bank. This transfer would cost approximately $16,000. The City Engineer reviewed the process involved in the transfer of the wetland credits. The Council will review the transfer further at the July Council meeting Mayor Shaw read a thank you note from Post Prom Committee for the City contribution to the 2012 event. Administrator Vahlsing discussed an LGA calculation memo from the Greater Coalition of MN Cities. Mayor Shaw thanked all those involved with the flood prevention effort including the Fire Department, Minnesota Department of Corrections CIP laborers, and volunteers. Administrator Vahlsing thanked the Minnesota Deparmentt of Corrections Sergeant Dan Lilya and the CIP laborers, for painting areas of City Hall and the Roy Peterson Park. ADJOURN – Motion made by Councilor Michalski to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Huso. Motion carried. Submitted by: Mark R. Vahlsing City Administrator