City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – 07-25-01 The City Council of the City of Pelican Rapids met in regular session on Wednesday, 7- 25-01, 4:00 p.m., at the Pelican Rapids Public Library meeting room. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Paulette Nettestad, Denise Magnusson and Dave Gottenborg were present. Council Member John Waller III was absent. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Street and Park Superintendent Vern Benson, Wes Biner, Paul Evenson, Jeanne Hovland, Doug Berg and Julie Tunheim of the Pelican Rapids Press were also present. Mayor Runningen called the meeting to order. Wes Biner of the West Central Initiative Fund was present to discuss objectives and goals for the organization. He reported $400,000 per year is going into work force training. Mayor Runningen asked about the community loan pool and if it was ready to go. Biner said the fund was changed from loans only to loans and grants. Jeanne Hovland, Paul Evenson and Doug Berg were present to discuss the On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Bridges Eatery. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Magnusson to approve the On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License and Sunday Liquor License to Douglas Berg of Bridges Eatery, subject to receipt of the license fee, liquor liability insurance certificate and other insurance information. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Magnusson to approve a one-month extension for the Shoe Inn Demolition. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Nettestad to authorize the Mayor and Administrative Assistant to enter into an agreement to provide public transportation service in the City of Pelican Rapids and approve the Minnesota Department of Transportation Resolution. (A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the city clerk’s office. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Runningen distributed a thank you letter he received from a resident regarding moving the location of the July 3rd fireworks. Motion by Magnusson, seconded by Gottenborg to approve renewal of a Charitable Gambling License to VFW Gilmore Weik Post 5252. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Runningen explained a Hike/Bike Path project extending the Hike/Bike Path from the elementary school, 9th Ave. SE, to 12th Ave SE, connecting to Lake Region Electric Cooperative’s path and paving the path. Mayor Runningen explained that he has thought about the City assuming costs for maintaining the sidewalks. Also he feels the Hike/Bike Path is important as a public safety issue. Council discussed funding the project. Council Members were not in favor of assessing costs to the property owners. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Nettestad to proceed with plan to install a path from 9th Ave. SE to Lake Region Electric Cooperative’s driveway at the City’s expense. Motion passed unanimously. Utility Billing Technician Julie Lammers reported on the Minnesota Municipal Clerks’ Institute she recently attended. She thanked City Council for valuing education and giving her the opportunity to attend sessions on Human Resource Issues, Data Practices, Revenue Sources, Budget Preparation, Elections, Working with Volunteer Fire Departments and Fundamentals of Minnesota Government. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Magnusson to authorize payment to Mark Keepers Cottage Care for wastewater treatment facility painting in the amount of $859.58. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Runningen represented the City of Pelican Rapids on a city panel on diversity at the Center for Rural Issues in Duluth on Monday, 07-25-01. He said the City received a lot of exposure for the work that has been done with new immigrants. “We need new people coming in to support our work force or we won’t have enough people to do the work that needs to be done, “ Runningen explained. Council Member Nettestad said that in addition to welcoming people to community, people should think about meeting the needs of community particularly the young people in the summer months. Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Deputy Clerk-Treasurer