City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – 02-11-02 The City Council of Pelican Rapids met in regular session at 6:00 p.m., on Monday, 02- 11-02, in the Pelican Rapids Public Library meeting room. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Paulette Nettestad, John Waller III, Denise Magnusson and Dave Gottenborg were present. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Deputy Clerk- Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Police Chief Scott Fox, Street and Park Superintendent Vern Benson Ross Wamre of Lake Region Surveying, Don Hanson and Gary Peterson of the Pelican Rapids Press were present. Meeting called to order by Mayor Runningen. The following items were added to the agenda: 17. Downtown Lots; 18. EDC Walking Tour; 19. Boy Scout Letter; 20. Garbage. Ross Wamre of Lake Region Surveying and Don Hanson addressed the Council about a 66-ft. easement across the City of Pelican Rapids airport land to allow a road and room for utilities. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson has reviewed request. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to approve a 66-ft. easement across City of Pelican Rapids airport land to provide egress and ingress to the Hanson property adjoining the western side of the airport on south edge for one residence only. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to approve the minutes of 01-18-02 and 01- 30-02 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Waller to approve the Accounts Payable Listing of 02-11-02, as corrected and the Library Accounts Payable Listing of 02-07-02, approved by Library Board Member Jack Ralston. Motion passed unanimously. Police Chief Scott Fox reported on the Police Department. Part time hours are down and officers have attended several training classes. Fox requested authorization to discontinue car unlocks due to liability concerns and the fact that a business in town provides this service. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Waller to change city policy and discontinue the routine unlocking of cars by the police department, effective 03-01-02. Motion passed unanimously. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson presented the Utility Department’s Report. Street and Parks Superintendent Vern Benson reviewed his departments’ activities. Skating Rinks will be closed for at least a week due to warm weather. Mayor Runningen requested that city staff send a thank you letter to Loretel Systems for putting up and taking down the holiday street light decorations. Jenson reviewed the Liquor Store Report prepared by Liquor Store Manager Bob Leslie. Leslie recommended purchasing two computerized cash registers with control computer and software, id verifier and inventory system. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Magnusson to approve the purchase of the system above. System to be paid for with Liquor Store invested funds. Motion passed unanimously. Leslie recommended hiring Connie Sjostrom as a liquor store sales clerk. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to authorize hiring Connie Sjostrom as a part time Liquor Store sales clerk at $6.00 per hour. Motion passed unanimously. Council discussed changes to draft of Sidewalk Policy with Street and Parks Superintendent Benson. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Magnusson to approve the Sidewalk Policy as presented in this draft and introduce RESOLUTION FOR SIDEWALK INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE POLICY. (A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the city clerk’s office.) Motion passed unanimously and resolution declared duly adopted. Mayor Runningen reviewed a policy regarding the City’s web site and web site links. Council discussed having the City Attorney review the web site policy and check with the League of Minnesota Cities prior to the next meeting. Jenson reviewed Water and Sewer Budgets. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Magnusson to adopt the Water and Sewer Fund Budgets as presented. Budgets will be reviewed quarterly. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to set a Public Hearing for park grant for 02- 27-02, 4:00 p.m., Public Library meeting room. Motion passed unanimously. Jenson reviewed the Ambulance Contract. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to authorize payment of $16,618 to Pelican Rapids Ambulance for 2002 ambulance contract. Motion passed unanimously. Jenson reported on ideas for the vacant downtown lots. He met with Cyndy Stotesbery and Paul Evenson and they would like to meet with one or two council members to discuss ideas. Mayor Runningen and Council Member Gottenborg will work on project. Mayor Runningen reported on the Economic Development Corporation’s (EDC) Driving Tour of Pelican Rapids. Nadine Brown is working on this for the EDC. Council Members Magnusson and Waller will work with Nadine. Ben Woessner, Jr. submitted a letter regarding traffic concerns on Highway 59 at the high school. He requested a stop light at 5th Ave. South and Highway 59. Police Chief Scott Fox would like to see the speed limit set at 20 miles per hour during the hours before and after school hours. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Magnusson recognizing Ben Woessner, Jr.’s concerns about speed of traffic on Highway 59 between 3rd and 7th Ave. Motion passed unanimously. Council Member Gottenborg has received a phone call about uncovered garbage container behind a business. Jenson says he has checked the situation and continues to check it. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to hold a Household Hazardous Waste Day in Pelican Rapids in cooperation with Otter Tail County. Motion passed unanimously. Council Member Gottenborg has heard some concerns lately from people about quality of cable service. He also has received requests for coverage of Minnesota sports on Channel 45. “ I think through our newsletter and the newspaper we should let people know the phone number to request the MSC channel,” he said. Mayor Runningen relinquished the chair. Acting Mayor Gottenborg assumed the chair. Jenson reported Lake Region Electrical Cooperative (LREC) has proposed the donation of a lot facing 3rd St. NE. The Park Board is considering various ideas for developing the park including creating a lunch park and recommended accepting the lot. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to accept LREC’s donation of the lot with appreciation for a park. Acting Mayor Gottenborg, Council Members Magnusson, Waller and Nettestad voted for the motion. No one voted against the motion. Mayor Runningen abstained. Motion carried. Acting Mayor Gottenborg adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Deputy Clerk-Treasurer