City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – 09-10-01 The City Council of the City of Pelican Rapids met in regular session on Monday, 09-10- 01, at 6:00 p.m. in the Pelican Rapids Public Library meeting room. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members John E. Waller III, Paulette Nettestad and Dave Gottenborg were present. Council Member Denise Magnusson was absent. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Utilities Superintendent Brent Frazier, Street and Park Superintendent Vern Benson, Jim Hotzfield of the Pelican Rapids Fire Relief Association, Pat Reisnour of Interstate Engineering, Ray Martin of Ray J’s Café and Gary Peterson of Pelican Rapids Press were also present. Meeting called to order by Mayor Runningen. Items added to agenda include Wine/Strong Beer and Bottle Club Ordinance Change and a License Change Request from Ray J’s. Jim Hotzfield of the Pelican Rapids Fire Department Relief Association was present to request a Charitable Gambling License to conduct gambling at Bridges Bistro and Bar. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Waller to approve a Charitable Gambling License for the Pelican Rapids Fire Relief Association to conduct gambling at Bridges Bistro and Bar. Mayor Runningen, Council Members Waller and Nettestad voted yes. Council Member Gottenborg voted no. Motion carried. Pat Reisnour of Interstate Engineering discussed operating system changes for the water treatment plant. Total estimated cost of the project is $115,000, including the optional motor control system. Council requested time to review report and an opportunity to meet at the water treatment plant for a tour. Council discussed changing the Wine and Strong Beer Licensing hours to permit Sunday sales. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to approve the following ordinance, entitled ORDINANCE NO. 01-02, LIQUOR, WINE AND BEER, CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS. (A complete text of the ordinance will be published separately and is part of permanent public record in the city clerk’s office.) Motion passed unanimously and ordinance declared duly adopted. Ray Martin of Ray J’s Café was present to discuss a change in location of his bar. The City Council previously required Martin to locate his bar in the south room due to the number of arcade games he had at that time and the children in the building. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to allow Martin to move his bar to the front of the building. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to approve the minutes of 08-13-01 and 08- 29-01 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to approve payment of the 09-10-01 Accounts Payable Listing with the exception of the MESERB bill and with the addition of the following bills: Avenet LLC, WEB Site - $760; Municipal Service Co., Service - $1888; Municipal Service Co., Millstone Repair in Park - $1400 and PR School District, FD Power Converters - $843.69. Motion passed unanimously. Utilities Superintendent Brent Frazier reported on his departments’ activities. Street and Park Superintendent Vern Benson reported on his departments’ activities. Council reviewed the Liquor Store Report. Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert reviewed the 08-31-01 financial reports. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson reported that Otter Tail County Assessor Bob Moe does not schedule Board of Review meetings in the evening. He will schedule later in the day to accommodate the City Council. Jenson reviewed costs for improving Midway Ave. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Nettestad requesting Jenson contact property owners regarding front foot costs to improve Midway Ave. to accomplish project as a pay up front project. Motion passed unanimously. Jenson reviewed the police department and other department heads recommendation to do nothing on the request from 3rd St. NW for a stop sign. No action was taken. He also reviewed the police department report. The Personnel Committee is recommending that Scott Fox become Acting Chief during the search period, effective 9-30-01. Mayor Runningen discussed that the position of Acting Chief is temporary and has no bearing on who will be hired as Police Chief and Officer Fox is aware that this is the case. City Council needs to proceed with filling the position of Police Chief by advertising the position open. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Nettestad to appoint Scott Fox as Acting Chief, to advertise for the position of Police Chief and to set up an interview committee. Motion passed unanimously. City Auditor Dan Rollie was present to discuss the City of Pelican Rapids Financial Statements for 2000. He distributed several graphs of government funds. He recommended budgeting for the special revenue funds. Lake Region Surveying, Inc. discussed the City of Pelican Rapids Mapping Project, a proposal for mapping work within the City limits of Pelican Rapids. The intent of this proposal is to inform the City Council of the work Lake Region Surveying, Inc. intends on completing and an estimated cost for this work. Approximate cost for reviewed work is $7,000. Some of the costs would be from the water and sewer fund. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Gottenborg to authorize Lake Region Surveying to begin mapping work as reviewed at a cost not to exceed $7,000. Motion passed unanimously. Council reviewed Proposed Budget 2002 No. 2 of 09-06-01 Council discussed funds for the library parking lot. The Budget Committee has identified Improvement Reserve Fund investments for library parking lot improvements. Council discussed the Chamber of Commerce’s request for an increase in funding from the City. Chamber of Commerce President James Strand said that the Executive Director is in essence promoting the City of Pelican Rapids. Council Member Gottenborg questioned, “Is it right that residents of the City support a position that benefits resorts that are not Chamber members.” Strand replied, “Bringing people into the area benefits the community because shopping is the number one activity.” Mayor Runningen stated that he is interested in developing a regional tourist effort. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to approve the Proposed Budget 2002 No. 2 as corrected. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg not to have a Truth in Taxation Hearing. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Deputy Clerk-Treasurer