City Council Meetings 2016-2024

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MOOSE LAKE CITY COUNCIL Wednesday, September 8, 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, Wayne Peterson, Rob Bednar 1. CALL TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance B. Approval of Agenda  Motion to approve the agenda by Councilor Lower, seconded by Councilor Huso. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes 1. Regular City Council Meeting – August 11, 2021 2. Special City Council Meeting – August 26, 2021 3. Special City Council Meeting – September 1, 2021  Motion to approve the minutes by Councilor Sarvela seconded by Councilor Juntunen. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. B. Financial Reports 1. City Accounts Payable – August 2021 2. City Financial Statements – August 2021 3. Liquor Store - Profit & Loss Statement – August 2021  Motion to approve the financial reports by Councilor Huso, 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.  Wayne Peterson shared his desire to see the City of Moose Lake’s brush pile and compost dump site re-opened as soon as possible. Wayne Peterson shared his concern that citizens will start to dump materials in unauthorized areas that will be harmful to the surrounding environment. Wayne Peterson shared his opinion that the City of Moose Lake’s brush pile and compost contributes positively to the community and if not available to the community will result in negative repercussions. 4. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS A. Police Chief a. Department Report August 2021  Chief Juntunen reported on the August calls for service totaling 251 calls for service.  Chief Juntunen reported work on the ATV Trail to Industrial Road has been taking place the past few weeks and is nearly complete.  Chief Juntunen reported the bridge for this portion of the trail was put in place this week and took a significant amount of work and coordination to accomplish.  Chief Juntunen expressed a sincere thank you to the City of Moose Lake Public Works and Water & Light Departments for their contributions to completing this trail segment.  Chief Juntunen also expressed gratitude to Carlton County for the donation of materials for the trail.   Chief Juntunen reported he took part in a meeting with MNDOT this week to discuss the second ATV trail and bridge sections; this process is moving forward.  Chief Juntunen reported there has been a lot of car theft in the surrounding communities and a few within the City of Moose Lake.  Chief Juntunen requested citizens please be vigilant and report any suspicious activity. B. Public Works Superintendent Report b. Department Report August 2021  Superintendent Entner reported the water department distributed 14.0 million gallons of drinking water in the month of August.  Superintendent Entner reported the Water Tower Project is nearing completion and should be completed next week.  Superintendent Entner reported the sewer department collected 9.8 million gallons of wastewater during the month of August.  Superintendent Entner reported around September 1st in previous years we have contacted the MPCA to request a sewer discharge; we are nowhere near needing to discharge yet.  Superintendent Entner reported that the Sewer Lining Project is in process; we are currently waiting on the contractor to be able to pull together staffing for the project.  Superintendent Entner reported pothole filling will continue monthly all summer long.  Superintendent Entner reported black top patching is occurring around the city; please contact the Public Works Department with requests or relevant notifications.  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 burials are occurring weekly. C. Technology / Library Report  Administrator Bloom reported there is no update in this department. D. Municipal Liquor Store Report  Administrator Bloom reported the Municipal Liquor Store Manager Elaine Hennager is on vacation and reported there is no update in this department. E. City Engineer Report  Administrator Bloom reviewed the monthly Meeting Minutes.  Administrator Bloom reported the TH73 Trail Phase 1 project is scheduled to begin next week; the County Road 10 portion will be the initial focus.  Administrator Bloom reported the Sewer Lining Project is delayed due to staffing issues with the contractor; the contractor was given a substantial completion date of November 1, 2021. F. Chamber of Commerce Updates.  Administrator Bloom reported that the Moose Lake Area Chamber annual raffle drawing and Brewfest will take place on September 18, 2021, at Route 61 Lounge and Bowling. 5. PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED BUSINESS A. No previously discussed business. 6. NEW BUSINESS A. 2022 Budget Presentation a. Set Initial Levy  Administrator Bloom presented the 2022 Budget.  Motion to set Initial Levy at 2% by Councilor Sarvela, seconded by Councilor Huso. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. B. Ordinance 81B – Minnesota Energy Resources Natural Gas Distribution System  Councilor Juntunen expressed his desire to have Ordinance 81B reviewed annually.  Motion to adopt Ordinance 81B by Councilor Juntunen, seconded by Councilor Huso. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. C. Traut Companies – Change Order #2  Motion to approve Change Order # 2 in the amount of $26,314.00 by Councilor Juntunen, seconded by Councilor Sarvela. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. D. Traut Companies – Pay Application #3, Final  Motion to approve Pay Application #3 in the amount of $32,733.65 by Councilor Huso, seconded by Councilor Sarvela. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. E. Northland Constructors – Pay Application #3, Final  Motion to approve Pay Application #3 in the amount of $9,926.95 by Councilor Juntunen seconded by Councilor Sarvela. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. F. Central Tank Coatings – Pay Application #1  Motion to approve Pay Application #1 in the amount of $69,904.50 by Councilor Huso, seconded by Councilor Lower. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. G. Lakehead Constructors – Change Order #4  Motion to approve Change Order #4 in the amount of $25,783.51 by Councilor Juntunen, seconded by Councilor Sarvela. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. H. Lakehead Constructors – Change Order #5  Motion to approve Change Order #5 in the amount of ($35,528.00) by Councilor Huso, seconded by Councilor Sarvela. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. I. Resolution 21-09-01 – Surplus Property, 1996 Dodge Ram 1500  Motion to approve Resolution 21-09-01 by Councilor Juntunen, seconded by Councilor Lower. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. J. Resolution 21-09-02 – Surplus Property, Fireworks Display Equipment  Motion to approve Resolution 21-09-02 by Councilor Huso, seconded by Councilor Lower. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. K. Resolution 21-09-03 – Charles Martin PERA Approval  Motion to approve Resolution 21-09-03 by Councilor Juntunen, seconded by Councilor Lower. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No – 0. L. Joint Meeting Proposal – Moose Lake Windemere Sanitary Sewer District  Consensus reached to schedule a joint meeting October 12, 2021 at 5:30 pm. M. Brush Pile  Administrator Bloom shared an attempt was made to start the brush pile on fire, potentially an accident, but this event caused the brush pile to be closed immediately.  Administrator Bloom presented her concerns that individuals outside the City of Moose Lake, including contractors are taking advantage of the free dump site.  Administrator Bloom discussed her recommendation to have the brush pile open only during the operating hours of the Public Works Department to decrease the City’s liability.  Mayor Ted Shaw shared his concerns that contractors are utilizing the service designed for residents of the City of Moose Lake only.  Councilor Greg Sarvela inquired whether the brush pile could be open during the hours the Recycle Shed is staffed.  Mayor Ted Shaw shared the Recycle Shed staff used to be responsible for monitoring the brush pile in the past and it was too large of a responsibility to place on these individuals.   Public Works Superintendent communicated the Township has a locked brush pile that accumulates at half the rate of the City of Moose Lake’s; the free wide open brush pile is being abused by individuals outside the City of Moose Lake and by contractors.  Councilor Lower shared his desire to see the brush pile open every weekday, evenings, and on weekends; also no contractors.  Resident Rob Bednar communicated his desire to see the brush pile closed on the weekends and presented the idea of posting a security camera.  Mayor Ted Shaw shared his recommendation to have the brush pile reopened and then continue to work on a new process moving forward.  Administrator Bloom shared brush piles in surrounding communicates are open in accordance with their recycling sheds.  Councilor Juntunen expressed his recommendation to create an ordinance for the brush pile, enforce the ordinance, and then establish new city process.  Consensus reached to reopen the brush pile and continue to establish a new process. 7. REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE A. Letter of Appreciation – Sarah Radzak 8. COMMITTEE AND BOARD MEETING MINUTES A. Moose Lake Water & Light Commission – July 20, 2021 B. Moose Lake Economic Development Authority – August 11, 2021 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS Regular Moose Lake City Council Meeting, Wednesday, October 13, 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, Tuesday, September 21, 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 - 6:00 p.m. City Council/Town Board Chamber. 10. ADJOURNMENT  Motion to adjourn by Councilor Lower, seconded by Councilor Sarvela. Vote: Yes – Sarvela, Juntunen, Huso, Lower. No - 0