City Council Meetings 2016-2024

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MOOSE LAKE CITY COUNCIL Wednesday, May 12, 2021, 4:00 pm; City Hall PRESENT: Mayor Ted Shaw, Councilor Walter Lower, Councilor Kris Huso, Councilor Doug Juntunen, Councilor Greg Sarvela. OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Katie Bloom, Deputy Clerk/Finance Director Ellissa Owens, Public Works Superintendent Phil Entner, Chief of Police Darren Juntunen, Liquor Store Manager Elaine Hennager, Star Gazette Alanea White 1. CALL TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance B. Approval of Agenda  Motion to approve the agenda by Councilor Huso, seconded by Councilor Sarvela. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes 1. Regular City Council Meeting – April 14, 2021 2. Special City Council Meeting – April 28, 2021 3. Local Board of Appeals and Equalization – April 28, 2021  Motion to approve the minutes by Councilor Lower, seconded by Councilor Juntunen. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. B. Financial Reports 1. City Accounts Payable – April 2021 2. City Financial Statements – April 2021 3. Liquor Store - Profit & Loss Statement – April 2021  Motion to approve the financial reports by Councilor Sarvela, seconded by Councilor Lower. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT This time is reserved comments from the public on matters not listed on the agenda. Please keep comments to 3 minutes. 4. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS A. Police Chief a. Department Report April 2021  Chief Juntunen reported on the April calls for service totaling 82 calls for service. B. Public Works Superintendent Report b. Department Report April 2021  Superintendent Entner reported the water department distributed 4.48 million gallons of drinking water in the month of April. The wellhouse is moving along and is set to be completed by the scheduled complete date. Superintendent Entner commented that by the next City Council Meeting the City of Moose Lake should be utilizing the new wells.  Superintendent Entner reported Hydrants were flushed the last week of April.  Superintendent Entner reported the sewer department collected 17.0 million gallons of wastewater during the month of April. The April Discharge is complete; 35.93 million gallons of wastewater was discharged.   Superintendent Entner reported pothole filling will continue monthly throughout the duration of the summer. Street sweeping is complete for the spring and road restrictions have been lifted. Black top patching will start as soon as the hot mix plant opens.  Superintendent Entner reported the campground is up and running for the season. Utilities have been turned on and the parks are prepped for the upcoming season. C. Municipal Liquor Store Report  Manager Hennager reported the onsale was closed for 156 days in 2020.  Manager Hennager discussed the regulation change announced by Governor Walz for July 1, 2021. As a result of Walz’s announcement the Municipal Liquor Store is moving forward with planning for a July 4, 2021 celebration.  Manager Hennager announced the meat raffle and Bingo will return after July 1, 2021. D. Technology / Library Report  Administrator Bloom commented that a drop box feature for pictures and videos is currently being considered.  Councilor Lower commented that the Book Sale will take place June 4-5, 2021, at the Depot. E. City Engineer  Administrator Bloom reviewed the monthly Meeting Minutes.  Administrator Bloom reported that all the city’s projects are moving forward.  Administrator Bloom reported the Soo Line Trail Project has begun and crews are on site. F. Chamber of Commerce Updates.  Administrator Bloom shared that because of Governor Walz’s update the Chamber of Commerce is moving forward with planning for summer events.  Administrator Bloom reported that the Chamber of Commerce will make a $250.00 donation to the Historical Society Kitchen Fund in memory of Dean Paulson.  The Chamber of Commerce is facilitation a donation program on behalf of the City of Moose Lake for the July 4, 2021, fireworks. 5. PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED BUSINESS A. Land Purchase – 413 Birch Ave  Motion to approve purchase of property at 413 Birch Ave for $150,000.00 by Councilor Juntunen, seconded by Lower. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Lakehead Constructors, Inc – Pay Application #6  Motion to approve pay application #6 to Lakehead Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $71,062.75 by Councilor Huso, seconded by Councilor Juntunen. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. B. Police Department Staffing  Administrator Bloom presented a few options for Police Department staffing.  Councilor Lower read a passionate statement regarding his viewpoint on cutting the Moose Lake Police Department budget to redistribute taxpayer monies to infrastructure repair.  Councilor Juntunen discussed his prior experience with Carlton County, in which he worked in coordination with a part-time Police Department, and the increased crime that took place in the area during the non-staffed hours. Councilor Juntunen also discussed the cost savings of a transitioning to a part-time department and how long it would take to fund a project specifically utilizing the identified savings.  Councilor Sarvela discussed the size of the Police Department budget in correlation to the size of the City of Moose Lake. Councilor Sarvela discussed the need for additional funding solutions to be investigated to substantiate the Police Department budget.   Administrator Bloom identified areas of the city’s budget, specifically the Municipal Liquor Store, where additional funds will be available to support the city’s budget. Administrator Bloom also discussed the potential for MSOP to help fund the cost of a Full-Time Police Officer position and the efforts currently being made to cover the health insurance costs currently being funded by the city of previously employed police officers.  Councilor Lower discussed his desire to go down to a part-time Police Department until these other funding opportunities come to fruition.  Councilor Huso shared a clarification to the Council that staffing is currently established at a full-time status and that the current proposition is not to add a position within the Police Department but instead to simply maintain full-time staffing. Councilor Huso discussed her viewpoint that the crime rate in the City of Moose Lake is low because of the full-time Police Department status and that straying away from that will potentially lead to increased crime in the city.  Councilor Lower shared his understanding that the previous Council decision to go to a working Police Chief would present the opportunity to eliminate a Full-Time Police Officer. Councilor Lower discussed the City of Moose Lake’s 28% tax base and the need to consider this fact with regard to the Police Department budget.  Mayor Shaw highlighted the city’s efficient and effective budgeting by Administrator Bloom. Mayor Shaw shared the continuous support by previous City Councils of the Police Department budget. Mayor Shaw discussed the history of fluctuations between full-time to part-time Police Department staffing and how the decision was made, and supported by the taxpayers, to go back to full-time staffing after an increase in crime was experienced. Mayor Shaw commented on the Nation’s current state of unrest and his desire to maintain a full-time Police Department. Mayor Shaw commented on his support of continued work to address the city’s aging infrastructure and shared his opinion on grind & overlay opportunities, in combination with road projects, to achieve desired progress.  Chief Juntunen discussed the successful efforts being made to manage the Police Department budget including adjustments made to the administrative position, the Sargent position, and contract negotiations made upon his arrival. Chief Juntunen discussed the support he has received by the community to maintain a full-time Police Department. Chief Juntunen highlighted the importance of continued support of the city’s police officers through services, training, & equipment to maintain their safety and the safety of the community.  Motion to proceed with replacing the Full-Time Police Officer by Councilor Huso, seconded by Councilor Juntunen. Vote: Yes – Juntunen, Huso, Shaw. No – Lower, Sarvela.  Motion to approve hire of Chad Pattison as a Full-Time Police Officer at Step C by Councilor Huso, seconded by Councilor Sarvela. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso. No – Lower. C. 2017 Caterpillar 450F Loader Backhoe  Motion to approve purchase the 2017 Caterpillar 450F loader Backhoe for $105,000.00 by Councilor Juntunen, seconded by Councilor Sarvela. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. D. Resolution 21-05-01 – Jordan Miller, PT Police Officer  Motion to pass Resolution 21-05-01 – Jordan Miller, PT Police Officer by Councilor Huso, seconded by Councilor Juntunen. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. E. Riverside Arena Overhead Door  Motion to approve purchase from DC Garage Door in the amount of $2,800.00 by Councilor Juntunen, seconded by Councilor Lower. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. F. Trunk Highway 73 Loop Trail, Phase 1 Request for Advertisement Approval  Motion to approve project advertising by Councilor Juntunen, seconded by Councilor Sarvela. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. 7. REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE A. Life-Saving Medal – Officer Travis Magdzas B. Letter of Appreciation – Officer Travis Magdzas C. Letter of Commendation – Officer Chad Pattison D. Letter of Commendation – Officer Jason Syrett E. Letter of Appreciation – Officer Jason Syrett F. Letter of Commendation – Officer Ray Couture G. Letter of Appreciation – Officer Ray Couture  H. Life-Saving Medal – Officer Chad Pattison 8. COMMITTEE AND BOARD MEETING MINUTES A. Moose Lake Water and Light Commission – March 16, 2021 B. Moose Lake Area Fire Protection District – April 13, 2021 C. Moose Lake Parks and Recreation – May 3, 2021 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS Regular Moose Lake City Council Meeting, Wednesday, June 9, 2021 - 4:00 p.m. Moose Lake City Council/Town Board Chambers. Moose Lake Economic Development Authority, Wednesday, May 19, 2021 – 12:00 p.m. City Conference Room Moose Lake Water and Light Commission, Regular Meeting– Tuesday, May 18, 2021 – 1:00 P.M. City Council/Town Board Chambers. Moose Lake Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board – Monday, June 14, 2021 – 11:00 A.M. Hillside Manor Office. Moose Lake Area Fire District – Tuesday, June 8, 2021 - 6:30 p.m. – Emergency Response Center. Moose Lake Park Board Meeting – Monday, June 7, 2021 - 6:30 p.m. City Council/Town Board Chamber. 10. ADJOURNMENT  Motion to adjourn by Councilor Juntunen, seconded by Councilor Sarvela. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No - 0