City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL JULY 14, 1997 -- MINUTES The City Council of Pelican Rapids met in regular session on Monday, 7/14/97 at 6:30 p.m. in the Pelican Rapids Public Library Meeting Room. PRESENT: Acting Mayor Paulette Nettestad, Council Members George Hanson, Denise Magnusson and Dave Gottenborg. ABSENT: None Mayor Wayne Runningen arrived at 8:00 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Utilities Superintendent Brent Frazier, Streets Superintendent Vern Benson, Eddie Erickson, Patricia Erickson, Patrick Christman of the Daily Journal, and David Wick. Meeting called to order by Acting Mayor Nettestad. Council Member Gottenborg corrected minutes of 6-25-97 to read as follows: Council Member Gottenborg said he practices in a community with a rural section road and it looks unfinished and people park all over. He also itemized the following conditions as it relates to 10th Ave. SW: 1. The first half of street is urban. 2. Drainage on the section farthest west where it adjoins Old Fergus Road is a concern. 3. We've assessed people a second time with a reconstruct. 4. General feeling of constituents that I've talked to say urban. Motion by Gottenborg and second by Hanson to approve minutes of 6-9 and 6-25-97 as corrected. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg and second by Magnusson to approve payment of the 7-14-97 Accounts Payable List after discussion of various items. Motion passed unanimously. No police department report was submitted. Utility Superintendent Brent Frazier reported on various well matters. Power outages caused problems at both the water plant and wastewater plant on 6-29-97. The EQ pond was discharged for eleven days. Engineer David Rein is still working at the wastewater plant. Street Superintendent Vern Benson reported that they have mowed various large properties, read semi-annual water meters, oiled fire hydrants, hauled eight loads of gravel at various times to try to solve problems at Ann Lane. It appears that paving is the only solution. Tested water valves prior to street reconstruction and found several that need replacing. Filled new water tower and are waiting for bacteria test results. Repatched Mill Ave. Removed an eight foot strip of willows along Great Northern Road. Curbs and crosswalks are being painted. Investigated sewer backups on Monday which were a result of heavy rains. Aaron Lundrigan has been hired as mowing person. Pool was inspected by County Health Dept; two small matters were corrected immediately. Liquor Store report prepared by Deputy Clerk Treasurer Glenys Ehlert was reviewed. Deputy Clerk Treasurer presented June Cash Recap and June Investment Report. Petition for street improvements on 2nd St. NW with a rural section was received by City Council. Eddie and Patricia Erickson were present to discuss problems. Council Member Hanson suggested a dedicated street fund to be used toward various street projects. He recommended request be considered at next meeting along with concept for a dedicated street fund. Motion by Hanson and second by Magnusson to investigate possibilities of a dedicated street fund and to dustguard 2nd St. NW. Motion passed unanimously. Alley vacation by Super Valu store was discussed. Council Member Hanson said he couldn't see any positive benefit to the community to vacate alley. Acting Mayor Nettestad said alley is needed if street located on railroad property west of alley would be closed. Also the City has a storm drain located in the alley. Motion by Hanson and second by Gottenborg to deny request to vacate alley. Request is denied due to above factors. Motion passed unanimously. Deputy Clerk Treasurer Glenys Ehlert presented a request from Farmer's Elevator to discontinue sewer charges on water used to fill sprayer tanks. Council discussed matter. Motion by Gottenborg and second by Hanson to restate city policy that water use is basis for sewer cost. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg and second by Hanson to introduce the following resolution regarding aeronautics' grant entitled AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE MN/DOT AGREEMENT FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION. (A complete text is part of permanent public record n the City Clerk's office.) Motion passed unanimously and resolution declared duly adopted. Motion by Hanson and second by Gottenborg to introduce the following resolution regarding transit van aid, entitled RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH STATE OF MINNESOTA TO PROVIDE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICE IN THE CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS. (A complete text is part of permanent record in the City Clerk's office.) Motion passed unanimously and resolution declared duly adopted. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson reviewed cost of an industrial dehumidifier similar to ones installed at water plant for use in City Hall basement record storage area. Motion by Hanson and second by Magnusson to purchase an industrial dehumidifier for City Hall at an approximate cost of $1,600.00. Motion passed unanimously. Council discussed scuba classes at pool. Motion by Gottenborg and second by Hanson to deny request to conduct scuba classes at swimming pool. Motion passed unanimously. Len Zierke of Z & Z Associates requested approval to put 17 new lots in addition to trailer court instead of previously approved 16 lots due to discovery of additional property when property corners were located. Motion by Gottenborg and second by Hanson to authorize 17 lots in Z & Z trailer court addition. Motion passed unanimously. Council Member Gottenborg discussed running fence across unused street. Motion by Hanson and second by Gottenborg to accept smaller buffer to permit fence to run west of existing trees on east border of trailer court and to permit fence to run across unused street. Motion passed unanimously. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson distributed proposed mobile home park ordinance. Council will discuss at next meeting. Council discussed several drainage concerns. Street Superintendent Vern Benson said he previously inspected gravel washing onto property at 309 1st St SE and found it had washed from alley not from neighboring property. Council Member Gottenborg requested Superintendent Benson review present situation with property owner. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson said water comes from east and south on Ann Lane and washed road down onto Blake Meland's property. Tar with curb and gutter would be best solution. City pays for 80% of storm drain work which would be a significant part of the project. City can also initiate the project. Due to concerns about drainage, the City Council directed Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jensn to write to property owners about proposed street project. Mayor Wayne Runningen arrive at 8:00 p.m. Council Member Magnuson announced that Neil Sorenson is new housing coordinator and he will come to next council meeting. Motion by Gottenborg and second by Hanson to adjourn City Council meeting to after EDA meeting. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Deputy Clerk Treasurer Council Meeting reconvened at 8:12 p.m. on 7-14-97 in the Pelican Rapids Public Library Meeting Room. Motion by Gottenborg and second by Magnusson to accept the EDA's recommendation and approve payment to KBW & Associates in the amount of $114,156.00 for Industrial Park building and $402.39 to Dan Elton for Industrial Park building. Motion passed unanimously. Economic Development Committee organization meeting is on 7-22-97 at Lake Region Electric Coop. Immigration Orientation meeting is next week. Watch the Press for details. On 7-23-97 there will be a meeting in Breckenridge put on by U.S. Representative Collin Peterson to discuss economic development and flood problems. Meeting at Northern Technical College dealing with welfare reform will be next week. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Deputy Clerk Treasurer