City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MINUTES – 6-12-00 The City Council of the City of Pelican Rapids met in regular session on Monday, 6-12- 00 at 6:30 p.m., in the Pelican Rapids Public Library. Present: Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Paulette Nettestad, Denise Magnusson, and John Waller III. Absent: Dave Gottenborg. Also present: Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Street Superintendent Vern Benson, Utilities Superintendent Brent Frazier, Don Walgren of Northern Environmental. Meeting called to order by Mayor Runningen. The following items were added to the agenda: Frazee Blight Ordinance and Western Area Cities Counties meeting. Don Walgren of Northern Environmental reviewed a Well Study Proposal regarding the efficiency of the wells by reviewing and evaluating the well data. The company will provide a model of the wells’ depth and condition and offer suggestions to optimize the performance of the City wells. This could reduce maintenance costs and insure longevity of the wells. The length of the study would be three to four weeks. The estimated study cost would be between $4,320 and $4,915. Council Member Nettestad asked about the aquifer. Walgren said studying the aquifer would be an additional item to the study. Mayor Runningen asked if the study would help with well development. Walgren said the study could develop a pumping schedule to help with the existing wells. Walgren will provide additional information about aquifer and Council will reconsider at a later date. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to approve the minutes of 05-08-00 and 05- 31-00 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Magnusson, seconded by Nettestad to approve payment of the 06-12-00 Accounts Payable Listing with the following additions: In Control, repair WWTF trickling filter pump - $689.31 Northwest Iron Firemen, sludge boiler repair - $237.05 Old Dominion Brush, sweeper brooms - $138.45 Thein Well Co., mobilization/abandonment Well No.12 site - $7500.00 Paulette Nettestad, council salary - $45.00 Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Magnusson, seconded by Waller to approve the Library Accounts Payable Listing of 6-12-00 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Superintendent of Streets and Parks Vern Benson reported on activities in his departments. Superintendent of Utilities Brent Frazier reported on activities in his departments. Frazier also discussed a mandatory wellhead protection plan the City will need to do. Since Pelican Rapids is a small city, the Minnesota Department of Health will provide a hydrologist, saving the City several thousand dollars. The Department of Health is requesting a Wellhead Protection Manager, a committee and approximately $1,000 in the 2001 Budget. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to appoint Frazier as Wellhead Protection Manager, to appoint a Wellhead Protection Committee consisting of Frazier, Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson and Council Member Nettestad. Motion also includes a $1,000 for wellhead protection in the Water Fund Budget for 2001. Motion passed unanimously. Council reviewed the Police Department Report. No liquor store report was available. Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert presented the financial reports for 05-31-00. She reported that the water fund does not have sufficient revenue to meet expenses in 2000. Council may wish to postpone a rate increase by transferring sewer fund investment moneys to the water fund. This has been done in the past since the two departments are interconnected through staff, services and billing. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Waller to transfer $30,000 from the sewer fund to the water fund. Motion passed unanimously. Ehlert reported that Michele Hartman, director of TIF management for Municipal Economic Development Network Inc., has been at City Hall locating records needed to review and report to Council regarding the City’s tax increment financing districts. Hartman said the records were in good order. She also said the files, resolutions, minutes and development agreements drawn up by City Attorney Scott Dirks showed attention to detail. Mayor Runningen complimented Jenson, Ehlert and City Attorney Scott Dirks for their hard work on the Tax Increment Financing Districts. Council discussed the Chamber of Commerce’s request to close West Mill for the Flea Market on 07-8-00. Council requested more information on reasons for choosing this site. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to approve a $300 donation to the Chamber of Commerce to help pay expenses for July 3rd Fireworks. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Runningen discussed the change in Scambler Township’s zoning ordinance requiring the City to carry $1,000,000 for liability insurance for 20 years from the time of a sludge application. The City meets all requirements of the ordinance except this one. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has approved the application. City Attorney Scott Dirks says the City is adequately covered by insurance. Scambler is considering changing their ordinance, but here is no indication that they are willing to change this requirement. Dirks indicated that the City could request a review by the MPCA. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad authorizing City Attorney Scott Dirks to investigate possibilities regarding sludge application. Motion passed unanimously. The American Legion building may be sold with the intended use as a church. The building is in a commercial zone with residential zones across the streets to the west and south. Churches are not permitted in the commercial zone. Council said they were willing to consider a request to permit the church as a special use or change the zone to residential, extending the residential use existing on two sides. Council discussed potential flea market locations with Event Coordinator Nadine Brown. Ideas included 3rd St. NE, east of the swimming pool; 1st Ave. NE, east of Broadway and the E.L. Peterson Park parking lot. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to hold the Flea Market on West Mill if approved by three businesses. If not approved by businesses, the Flea Market will be located at 3rd St. NE, east of the swimming pool. Motion passed unanimously. Council discussed extending street light poles along Hwy. 59 South. Option 1 would add four cobra light poles from 5th Ave. to 7th Ave. at a total additional cost of $25,106 and increasing the annual cost by approximately $3,000. Option 2 would add ten cobra light poles from 5th Ave. to 9th Ave. at a total additional cost of $52,847. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Waller to extend street lighting project past elementary school from 5th Ave. to 7th Ave., Option 1. Motion passed unanimously. Liquor License Hearing will be 6-19-00 at 4:30 p.m., Pelican Rapids Public Library meeting room. Western Area City County Cooperative is holding a dinner and presentation on the Integrated Community Network on 06-29-00. Council discussed the Blight Ticket provision recently instituted by the City of Frazee. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to authorize City Attorney Scott Dirks to review the City of Frazee’s blight tickets and the City of Pelican Rapids public nuisance ordinance to add a penalty provision to the City of Pelican Rapids ordinance. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer