City Council Meetings 2016-2024

MINUTES REGULAR MEETING MOOSE LAKE CITY COUNCIL Wednesday, August 8, 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, Michael Peterson. Absent – Kris Huso. Also in attendance: City Administrator; Mark Vahlsing, Chief of Police; Bryce Bogenholm, Tom Paull, Lois Johnson, Eddie Palkie, Deb Mohelski, Scott Dahlen, Phil Entner, Gary Oltmann, Joe Mohelski, Doug Host, Bill Carlson, Dan Dougherty, Dean Paulson. CALL TO ORDER Pledge of Allegiance Motion made by Councilor Michalski to accept agenda with additions seconded by Councilor Peterson. Motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA Motion made by Councilor Peterson to accept consent agenda, seconded by Councilor Yort. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT This time is reserved for comments from the public on matters not listed on the agenda. Please keep comments to 3 minutes. Joe Mohelski urged the Council not to forget about the hockey program He spoke about the importance of the program, and benefit to the community. He emphasizes that if the program is not available this season and players decide to go play in the Cloquet program, they may not come back to our local program, but will continue in the Cloquet area. Dan Dougherty also spoke that it’s detrimental to the revenue of the local businesses to make certain that the hockey program is up and running this season. PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED BUSINESS Public Access Channel and Library 2012 Schedule update: Bill Carlson, Moose Lake Library Board. Mr. Carlson reviewed the status of the improvements to the public access control room to accommodate the NE Service Coop connection, Internet connection was scheduled to be completed in October. He also discussed the status of the Library Fiber Connection. Flood Update Chief Bogenholm provided an update on the status of the June 20, 2012 . A kick-off meeting with HUD was held on Thursday August 2, 2012. The City is seeking assistance through the Legislative Special Session for the Northeast Minnesota Flood. The DNR has agreed to repair the fishing pier. $145,000 spent thus far on flood costs. SBA has set up a center for flood victims in Superior, Those affected by floods may apply online at www.SBA.gov. Governor Dayton is appealing the decision by FEMA to deny individual assistance to homeowners and businesses. Administrator Vahlsing provided an update on the status of Riverside Arena. Since there was no insurance on the arena it did that there would be much coverage from FEMA. Stevens Engineering a firm specializing in arena design will be conducting an assessment on the arena later in July. Rink-Tec the company that put in the arena floor will also be conducting an analysis of the arena floor, and refrigerant system. It would appear that the rink will be usable for the 2012 season. Mayor Shaw stated that the long-term goal will be to re-locate the arena to higher ground. Park Board – Administrator Vahlsing updated the Council on recent activities of the Park Board. Roy Peterson Park - Installation of the equipment should occur in the next two weeks. Status of Campground repairs after flood – The campground remains closed. The Water and Light Commission has agreed to cover the cost of the design and electric upgrades. Sebesta Engineering is currently developing plans for the replacement of the electrical system. After the design is completed quotes will be sought from electrical contractors. After quotes are received the Council will have to decide if improvements will proceed. The design process should be completed by mid-September. There are 12 sites without electricity that can be utilized for tents or campers. $750,000 Revenue Bond Sale – Transformer Purchase, Moose Lake Power and Light Bond Sale Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Water and Light Commission is requesting that the City issue Revenue Bonds to finance the purchase of a 750 KV electric transformer. The cost of the transformer and installation is estimated to be $750,000. The bonds would be re-paid be the State for the MSOP facility. The new transformer will provide additional electric capacity for the MSOP facilities. The revenue bonds would be issued over a 5-year term and the Commission is requesting that the bond be placed locally with the First National Bank of Moose Lake. Local Option Sales Tax Ballot Language Administrator Vahlsing stated that the specific language for local option sales tax question must be submitted to the Carlton County Auditors office very soon. He asked that the Council approve language for the ballot. He reviewed option for the ballot language with the Council. The ballot language should reflect the uses for the sales tax outlined in a resolution passed earlier in the year. The Resolution listed three uses for the proposed sales tax. Motion made by Councilor Michalski to adopt the following Local Option Sales Tax Ballot Language: Shall the City of Moose Lake, Minnesota (the “City” be authorized to impose a local option sales tax of one- half (1/2) percent to provide funding for the following: Improvements to the City’s park system, street and related infrastructure improvements, and municipal library improvements Yes or No. seconded by Councilor Peterson. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS Doug Host – Clifton Larson Allen – Review 2011 City Audit findings. Presentation by Doug Host , Auditor -Overall, City did very well in the 2011. Audit was issued as unqualified with a few small findings. Street Department Employee Boot and Safety Glasses Cost reimbursement Mayor Shaw stated that currently, there is no reimbursement policy covering employee prescription safety eyeglasses and work boots. Administrator Vahlsing recommends that a policy be adopted that would reimburse affected employees up to $150 annually for work boots and safety eyeglass purchase once every two years. This type of reimbursement is common for City and County public works employees. Administrator Vahlsing will develop a draft policy for reimbursement. Preliminary review of 2013 proposed maximum levy Administrator Vahlsing stated that a the City Council must set the maximum 2013 general debt and library levies by September 14, 2012. Once certified, the proposed levy amount cannot be increased. The levy may be reduced until approximately December 25, 2012. Administrator Vahlsing reviewed a chart showing possible levy amounts and impacts on residential and commercial properties. Moose Lake Historical Society – City Loan Guarantee – Refinancing of $52,000 loan with Carlton County Economic Development Administrator Vahlsing stated that the Moose Lake Historical Society is seeking approval of guarantee from the City for a $52,000 loan with Carlton County Economic Development. The loan is a refinancing of a previous note with the County that was also backed by the City. The proposed loan would be for 20 years at 3% interest. Motion made by Councilor Peterson to cosign the new loan note from Carlton County Economic Development for the Historical Society, seconded by Councilor Michalski. Motion carried. REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE Police Department Report – July Chief Bogenholm updated the Council on the -Agate Days went well. There were no reported issues. He stressed the need to have another full-time officer to provide 24-hour coverage. He requested that the Council consider hiring another full-time officer to provide 24-hour coverage. Also recommending hiring an Administrative Assistant for the department. He stated that an addition to the Public Safety Building is also needed. Joe Rhein – Bolton and Menk – Joe was not in attendance. Administrator Vahlsing updated the Council on several projects. -Status of Kenwood Avenue, 8th Street repairs- Plan will still be to move ahead with the repairs. Review quotes for sale of cast iron and PVC pipe from Wastewater Expansion project No new information. Update on GIS - No new information. Discuss process to preserve Wetland Credits from wastewater expansion project. On hold presently.  1. ADJOURN – Motion made by Councilor Michalski to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Peterson. Motion carried. Submitted by: Paula Danelski, Recorder Revised by Mark R. Vahlsing City Administrator