City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MINUTES OF 04-09-01 The City Council of the City of Pelican Rapids met in regular session on Monday, 04-09- 01, at 6:30 p.m., in the Pelican Rapids Public Library meeting room. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Denise Magnusson, Paulette Nettestad, Dave Gottenborg and John Waller III were all present. No one was absent. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Street and Park Superintendent Vern Benson, Police Chief Greg Ballard, Gary Peterson of the Pelican Rapids Press, Ray Martin, John Roberts and Dianne Kimm of Lutheran Social Service were also present. Mayor Runningen called the meeting to order. The following items were added to the agenda: 16. Application for Pull-Tab Permit. 17. Application for Bottle Club License. 18. Soccer Field. 19. Census. 20. Comprehensive Plan. Lutheran Social Service Outreach Worker Dianne Kimm was present to discuss the sewer bill for Trailer Court D3. Kimm explained the high sewer usage was due to a frozen water meter plate and the water ran on the ground rather than going into the sewer system. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson said that over the years the Council has had requests to forgive the sewer charges and these requests have been denied. Council Member Gottenborg said he thinks a reduction in the sewer rate is in order and would consider a reduction in the water bill. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to reduce the sewer cost for the winter months of February and March to the resident’s typical sewer bill prior to frost plate breakage. Motion passed unanimously. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson and Library Director Pam Westby presented the proposed building layout for the library addition. The Planning Commission has reviewed the proposal and recommends allowing parking across from Midway Ave. Pursuant to published notice thereof, the City Council conducted a public hearing at 7:00 p.m., on MODIFICATION NO. 2 TO TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 2 “NETTESTAD”AND APPROVAL OF THE MODIFIED TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN RELATING THERETO. Otter Tail County Commissioner Malcolm Lee was present. Mayor Runningen explained the monies from this tax increment district are to be used to assist with the shortfall in the water tower bond payments. The shortfall is due in part to the State’s compression of commercial tax rates. The City has increased water rates and refinanced the water tower bonds in addition to using Tax Increment Financing District No. 2 funds for repayment of the debt. Lee said the County has no objection since the City has a plan to correct the financial situation. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to introduce the above resolution. A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the city clerk’s office. Mayor Runningen, Council Members Waller, Magnusson and Gottenborg voted yes. No one was opposed. Council Member Nettestad abstained. Motion carried and resolution duly adopted. Library Director Westby reviewed two resolutions required by the State of Minnesota for Council’s consideration. The resolutions address parking lot improvements and a commitment to continue the present level of programming at the library. Council Members Nettestad and Gottenborg questioned the wording to continue the level of programming. Gottenborg questioned, “What do you think it might cost us for staff?” Westby said that utility costs are expected to triple. Special programming will be sought through specific grants for programming. Council discussed the resolutions. They requested City Attorney Scott Dirks review the resolutions. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation and approve the parking variance for the library. Motion passed unanimously. Council will consider the proposed building layout at their meeting of 04-25-01. Westby expressed appreciation for Administrative Assistant Richard Jenson’s work with the Library Building Committee. John Roberts of the Minnesota Chapter Office of the Multiple Sclerosis Society presented a request for approval of a Charitable Gambling Permit to operate a pull-tab operation at Ray J’s Café. He is the western area manager and oversees 17 sites. They will pay rent to Ray J’s and other expenses. Mayor Runningen said the item was just added to the agenda tonight and he would prefer that the matter be considered at the next meeting, 04-25-01, so the public as well as the fire department and the VFW will be able to address Council regarding the matter. Karen Reich explained that they are looking at extending hours and developing more evening business and that is the reason for their request for a pull-tab permit and Bottle Club License. Mayor Runningen said Ray J’s application for a Bottle Club License will be considered at the meeting on 4-25-01. Mayor Runningen reviewed a proposed resolution providing an Administrative Penalty for any part of the city code. Council Members discussed the proposal and establishing penalties for violations. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to introduce a resolution entitled RESOLUTION ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 01-01 PENALTIES ORDINANCE. A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the city clerk’s office. Mayor Runningen, Council Members Nettestad, Magnusson, Waller and Gottenborg voted yes. No one opposed. Motion carried and resolution declared duly adopted. Ordinance will be in effect after publication. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Magnusson to introduce RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PROCEDURE AND ADJUDICATING ADMINISTRATIVE OFFENSES AND PROVIDING FOR A SCHEDULE OF OFFENSES AND ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES. A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the city clerk’s office. Mayor Runningen, Council Members Nettestad, Magnusson, Waller and Gottenborg voted yes. No one opposed. Motion carried and resolution declared duly adopted. Council reviewed the Accounts Payable Listing of 04-09-01 and additions. Motion by Magnusson, seconded by Waller to approve the Accounts Payable Listing of 04-09-01 with addition of the following bills: Radisson Hotel, police conference - $309.72; West Central Initiative, Old Glendale Building interest - $1982.75; Precision Machine, Old Glendale Building interest - $4875.00, and Otter Tail County Treasurer, special assessments - $11,520.16. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Magnusson, seconded by Waller to accept the Library Accounts Payable Listing as approved by the Library Board on 04-02-01. Motion passed unanimously. Street and Park Superintendent Vern Benson reported on activities in his departments. He also outlined preliminary plans for an emergency. The Oktoberfest Committee has donated nine cement garbage cans and nine concrete flower planters. Jenson presented the Utilities Superintendent’s report. Police Chief Greg Ballard presented his department’s report. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to authorize the police department to use the police dog, Justice, in service. The Police Department will provide food, necessary shots and in service veterinary care, required training for the dog and the officer. Motion includes purchase of a dog kennel for the squad car from Lund Machine at a cost of approximately $300 to $350. Motion passed unanimously. Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert reviewed March financial reports. Council discussed traffic sign recommendations for 10th Ave. SW. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to accept staff recommendations to place stop signs at the intersections of 10th Ave. SW with 1st, 2nd and 3rd Streets SW to slow down traffic. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to restrict semi-truck parking on 108 W from 1st Street to 3rd Street NW between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. by installing No Truck Parking signs. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to deny request for Children at Play sign. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to certify the following unpaid mowing bills to Otter Tail County for collection with real estate taxes: PIN 612000 - $85.00 and PIN 058000 - $85.00. Motion passed unanimously. Council Member Gottenborg reviewed a request to authorize use of City owned property on 3rd St. NW as a soccer field. Council Member Nettestad said she would like to have a committee look at recreational development for a soccer field and a skate board park. Several sites were discussed. Council Member Gottenborg discussed the Comprehensive Plan. Economic Developer Skip Carpenter will not be developing a plan. Gottenborg reviewed a plan developed for the City of Frazee and discussed some possible ideas of people to do the work. Jenson also reviewed some ideas from other cities. Council Member Nettestad reported that Blandin Group is planning a visioning meeting for the community next fall. Nettestad said she was willing to attend a diversity meeting on 04-18-01. Jenson said Board of Review is 04-23-01 in the Pelican Rapids Public Library meeting room. Planning Commission reported negative comments on newspaper article about City purchasing Lake Region Electric Coop building without putting project to a vote. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Deputy Clerk-Treasurer