City Council Meetings 2016-2024

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MOOSE LAKE CITY COUNCIL Wednesday, August 11, 2021, 4:00 pm; City Hall PRESENT: Mayor Ted Shaw, Councilor Walter Lower, Councilor Doug Juntunen, Councilor Greg Sarvela, Councilor Kris Huso OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Katie Bloom, Deputy Clerk/Finance Director Ellissa Owens, Public Works Superintendent Phil Entner, Chief of Police Darren Juntunen, Star Gazette Alanea White, Tyler Yngsdal SEH 1. CALL TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance B. Approval of Agenda  Motion to approve the agenda by Councilor Sarvela, seconded by Councilor Huso. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes 1. Regular City Council Meeting – July 14, 2021 2. Special City Council Meeting – July 27, 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 – July 2021 2. City Financial Statements – July 2021 3. Liquor Store - Profit & Loss Statement – July 2021  Motion to approve the financial reports by Councilor Juntunen, seconded by Councilor Sarvela. 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 July 2021  Chief Juntunen reported on the July calls for service totaling 254 calls for service.  Chief Juntunen reported National Night Out took place on August 3, 2021, at the city park; thank you to all the local business and community members who attended.  Chief Juntunen reported ATV discussions have continued including a meeting with Representative Sundin.  Chief Juntunen reported there is an upcoming meeting with the MNDNR regarding the potential ATV trail behind the arena to Industrial Road.  Chief Juntunen reported MNDOT is adding some signage in town that will help direct ATV traffic.  Chief Juntunen reported there has been some vandalism on local trails; community members please be vigilant and report any necessary information.  Chief Juntunen reported the new Full-Time Police Officer, August Reynolds, will start on August 20, 2021. B. Public Works Superintendent Report  b. Department Report July 2021  Superintendent Entner reported the water department distributed 8.3 million gallons of drinking water in the month of July.  Superintendent Entner reported the Water Tower Project is underway and the interior wet portion is nearly complete.  Superintendent Entner reported the sewer department collected 10.64 million gallons of wastewater during the month of July.  Superintendent Entner reported the 2nd year of the Sanitary Sewer Cleaning Program was completed in July; approximately 18,000 feet of sewer main was cleaned.  Superintendent Entner reported the Lift Stations were cleaned in July; cleaning and service reports are presented later in tonight’s agenda.  Superintendent Entner reported that the Sewer Lining Project is in process; we are currently waiting on the liner installation and manhole work to be completed.  Superintendent Entner reported that pothole filling will continue monthly all summer long.  Superintendent Entner reported that black top patching will begin the week of August 23,2021.  Superintendent Entner reported the Campground is running smoothly from a maintenance perspective.  Superintendent Entner reported the Cemeteries are running smoothly from a maintenance perspective.  Superintendent Entner reported there are three burials scheduled for this week.  Superintendent Entner reported the MRWA Training was held on July 27, 2021; please see thank you letter. C. Technology / Library Report  Administrator Bloom commented the Library is looking to purchase some new computers to replace the card catalog utilizing the book sale monies. D. Municipal Liquor Store Report  Administrator Bloom reported the Municipal Liquor Store had a profitable Fourth of July Weekend.  Administrator Bloom reported current revenue indicate a $25,000-$30,000 increase year over year.  Administrator Bloom reported the Liquor Store Manager, Elaine Hennager, is currently getting quotes for a new ice machine.  Administrator Bloom shared there will be live music at the Municipal on August 28th and on Labor Day. E. City Engineer Report  Administrator Bloom reviewed the monthly Meeting Minutes.  Administrator Bloom reported that the Water Tower Project is in progress.  Administrator Bloom reported the Sewer Lining Project is delayed due to staffing issues with the contractor.  Administrator Bloom reported there will be a pre-construction project kickoff meeting August 12, 2021, for the TH73 Trail at the transportation building in Carlton, Minnesota. F. Chamber of Commerce Updates.  Mayor Ted Shaw reported that the monthly Moose Lake Area Chamber Meeting was rescheduled to Wednesday, August 18, 2021.  Mayor Ted Shaw reported the Triathlon Event was a success with great volunteers and excellent participation.  Chief Juntunen reported there is an upcoming Ragnar Race taking place on August 21, 2021, with runners coming from the Twin Cities up to Duluth; runners will be coming through town. 5. PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED BUSINESS A. Wastewater Treatment Facility Capacity  Tyler Yngsdal from SEH reviewed a memo reporting the city’s current sewer pond capacity figures.  Tyler Yngsdal highlighted the MPCA utilizes a five-year snapshot when reviewing data.   Yngsdal discussed the positive impact of the lining projects through a short term analysis and reported based on these trends the five-year outlook will continue to improve as previous years fall off of the report. B. 4th Street Reconstruct Design  Administrator Bloom shared an updated Reconstruct Design with the City Council.  Administrator Bloom discussed plan options that incorporate options for snow removal, sidewalk adjustments, and boulevards.  Councilor Huso commented on the importance of considerations for the DHS house on the north side of the street in the reconstruct design.  Councilor Lower highlighted the cost savings potential in eliminating the need for a retaining wall within the project.  Councilor Sarvela discussed the potential of incorporating a cross walk to accommodate the DHS home and their client’s needs.  Administrator Bloom reported the trees within the boulevards, as well as those impacting the sidewalks, will need to be removed for the project.  Councilor Juntunen highlighted the infrastructure concerns and additional costs associated with having the trees and recommended that the trees be removed and not replanted.  Councilor Sarvela communicated he recommends the less trees the better.  Councilor Huso expressed she would like some trees to be replanted.  Councilor Lower communicated the significance of the beauty and shade the trees provide and would recommend some trees be replanted.  Mayor Ted Shaw inquired if the tree recommendations are specific to this project or a city-wide project standard.  Administrator Bloom discussed the need for a project standard to save time and money on future projects.  Administrator Bloom discussed the ability to make accommodations per project as necessary on future projects.  Tyler Yngsdal communicated the advantages a city standard presents for future planning while recognizing each project will have its variations.  Mayor Ted Shaw communicated the importance of including the public in on this decision.  Mayor Ted Shaw communicated his desire to have a public hearing to take input on this change that impacts the entire city.  Mayor Ted Shaw expressed his desire to listen to the community prior to moving forward.  Administrator Bloom reiterated the city standard is simply a starting point for administration on future projects and that individual considerations will be made for each project.  Councilor Sarvela expressed his desire for the council to determine a general standard for the city with the understanding that adjustments will need to be made.  Councilor Sarvela highlighted the importance of considering infrastructure in decisions moving ahead.  Councilor Juntunen expressed his desire to see a height requirement on any trees replanted.  Councilor Huso expressed her agreeance with Mayor Ted Shaw to hold a public hearing on the issue.  Consensus reached to hold a public hearing on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 6:30pm. C. Trees Along the Walking Trails  Mayor Ted Shaw communicated Byron Kuster’s interest in logging the trees along the walking trails.  Mayor Ted Shaw discussed the potential for the city to make $25,000 from harvesting the trees.  Councilor Lower discussed the logging presentation that occurred at the most recent Park Board Meeting and communicated his appreciation of the trails.  Councilor Lower made mention of potential development opportunities that could come from logging the area if the city wishes to pursue the topic.  Councilor Lower made mention that maintenance of the trails should have been anticipated and that it doesn’t make sense just to log the area based on a trail maintenance issue.  Mayor Ted Shaw discussed the geographic landscape of the area.  Administrator Bloom discussed her desire to soil test the area prior to logging and making development decisions.   Councilor Huso communicated she does not wish to see the area logged.  Councilor Juntunen does not wish to see the area logged.  Councilor Sarvela communicated he does not think the area is ready to be logged.  Consensus reached to not pursue logging the area around the trails. 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Lakehead Constructors, Inc – Pay Application #9  Motion to approve Pay Application #9 in the amount of $166,717.40 by Councilor Huso, seconded by Councilor Sarvela. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. B. Lift Station Maintenance  Superintendent Entner presented the maintenance report generated by Minnesota Pump Works.  Superintendent Entner reported the items highlighted within the report will be worked into the 2022 budget. C. Cellphone Booster Quote – Riverside Arena  Administrator Bloom discussed the quote received from DSC Communications to replace the cellphone booster currently at the arena.  Administrator Bloom discussed the current equipment in the arena is not functioning properly and research is currently underway on a solution. D. Resolution 12-08-01, Decertifying TIF District 1-4  Motion to approve Resolution 12-08-01, decertifying TIF District 1-4 by Councilor Juntunen, seconded by Councilor Lower. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. E. Squad Equipment  Motion to approve purchase of the Emergency Automotive Technologies package in the amount of $11,522.13; the Stalker Radio in the amount of $2,192.00; the Patrol PC in the amount of $5,329.92; the Watchguard 4RE Camera System in the amount of $4,820.00 by Councilor Huso, seconded by Councilor Lower. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. F. 2022 Budget – Working Meeting  Finance Director Owens reported meetings with city Department Heads of been conducted regarding the 2022 budget preparations.  Finance Director Owens reported department expenses have been analyzed and considerations have been made for departments impacted by the pandemic.  Finance Director Owens discussed that department revenues will be examined next.  Finance Director Owens reported capital projects requests have been discussed with each department.  Finance Director Owens reported a working budget meeting will occur Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at 12:00pm. G. American Rescue Plan Funds  Administrator Bloom reported the City of Moose Lake received $148, 937.46 in American Rescue Plan Funds.  Administrator Bloom reported the City of Moose Lake will receive funds again next year in accordance with the communicated disbursement schedule.  Administrator Bloom reported she will continue to review options for how the money can be utilized and requested the Council review the information she sent out and begin to consider options. 7. REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE A. 2020 Community Water Fluoridation 50 Year Award - MDH 8. COMMITTEE AND BOARD MEETING MINUTES A. Moose Lake Area Fire District – June 8, 2021 B. Moose Lake Water and Light Commission – June 9, 2021 C. Moose Lake Water and Light Commission – June 15, 2021 D. Moose Lake Area Fire District – July 13, 2021  E. Moose Lake Parks and Recreation – August 2, 2021 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS Regular Moose Lake City Council Meeting, Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - 4:00 p.m. Moose Lake City Council/Town Board Chambers. Moose Lake Economic Development Authority, Wednesday, September 15, 2021 – 12:00 p.m. City Conference Room Moose Lake Water and Light Commission, Regular Meeting– Tuesday, August 24, 2021 – 1:00 P.M. City Council/Town Board Chambers. Moose Lake Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board – Monday, September 13, 2021 – 11:00 A.M. Hillside Manor Office. Moose Lake Area Fire District – Tuesday, September 14, 2021 - 6:30 p.m. – Emergency Response Center. Moose Lake Park Board Meeting – Monday, September 13, 2021 - 6:30 p.m. City Council/Town Board Chamber. 10. ADJOURNMENT  Motion to adjourn by Councilor Sarvela, seconded by Councilor Huso. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No - 0