City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES - 4-08-02 The City Council of Pelican Rapids met in regular session at 6:00 p.m., on Monday, 04- 08-02, in the meeting room of the Pelican Rapids Public Library. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Paulette Nettestad, John B. Waller, Denise Magnusson and Dave Gottenborg were present. No Council members were absent. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Police Chief Scott Fox, Utilities Superintendent Brent Frazier, Street and Parks Superintendent Vern Benson, Library Director Pam Westby, Library Board President Mary Sorum and Gary Peterson of the Pelican Rapids Press were also present. Meeting called to order by Mayor Runningen. There were no additions or deletions from the agenda. Motion by Magnusson, seconded by Waller to approve the minutes of 3-11 and 3-27-02 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. W, M Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to approve the Accounts Payable Listing of 4-8-02 with additions and library bills, approved by the Library Board on 04- 04-02. Motion passed unanimously. Police Chief Scott Fox presented his report and reviewed a grant application he has made for safety vests. He reported that he accompanied the band and choir on their trip to New •York City and the entire group visited Ground Zero. He was able to include a Pelican Rapids Police Patch at the Ground Zero Memorial. Motion by Magnusson, seconded by Nettestad to accept the Police Department Policy Manual as recommended by Fox, City Attorney Scott Dirks and Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson. Motion passed unanimously. Utilities Superintendent Brent Frazier reported on the activities in his departments. Street and Parks Superintendent Vern Benson reported on the activities in his departments. After installing water meters this past month, the City has 559 new meters installed. He and Council Member Denise Magnusson are continuing working on the Emergency Plan regarding hazardous wastes and an evacuation plan for city residents. Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert presented the financial reports for 03-31-02. She reviewed four quotes received for computer upgrades at City Hall and recommended Council accept the low quote from Cooper’s Technology Group. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to authorize purchase two computers for City Hall from Cooper’s Technology Group at a cost of $1469. Motion passed unanimously. Library Director Pam Westby and Board President Mary Sorum were present to discuss the Library. The Library Board has met and recommended accepting the low bid of Woessner Construction of Fergus Falls for library expansion construction. Council discussed the Alternate No. 1 for paving the library parking lot. They requested city staff to obtain prices on curb and gutter. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to accept the Library Board’s recommendation to award the library construction contract to low bidder Woessner Construction of Fergus Falls in the amount of $854,431 for the base bid. Motion passed unanimously. Sorum said the library is exploring possibilities for relocating library services during construction. The Library Board is requesting authorization to use the City Hall building once it is vacated. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Gottenborg to allow the Library to use the City Hall after May 1st during the construction period. Motion passed unanimously. Westby reported the Library would like to use the Power House Building as part of their Summer Reading Program in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce History Walk. Chamber of Commerce Director Jane Aschnewitz said Ottertail County Historical Society will be working with her on the History Walk. Council Member Gottenborg spoke in favor of using the building as part of the history walk and library programs rather than continuing to use it as a storage building. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to authorize the use of the Power House Building for the Historical Walking Tour and Library Summer Reading Program. Motion passed unanimously. Ehlert reviewed the application of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 5252 for an Exempt Permit to conduct Bingo at Post 5252 each Thursday evening starting June 2002. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Magnusson to approve the application for the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 5252 for an Exempt Permit to conduct Bingo at Post 5252, effective 06-01-02. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Runningen reviewed a letter from the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail permitting the City of Pelican Rapids to join the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail as an Associate Corridor Member at a cost of $500 annually. Runningen recommended joining as he feels it will be beneficial to the community. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Nettestad to authorize payment of $500 to join the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail. Motion passed unanimously. On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce Brent Frazier requested use of West Mill Ave. on Saturday, 07-13-02, to conduct a Flea Market in connection with the Turkey Festival. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to authorize closing West Mill Ave. for use for the Flea Market from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on 07-13-02. Motion passed unanimously. Hangar Request tabled to 4-24-02. Jenson explained that he has received a request from the Downtown Beautification Committee to construct a decorative PVC fence across the empty spaces on Broadway. Council requested a firm price, a picture of the fence and approval of the involved property owners. Tabled to 4-24-02. Jenson explained that the City Election Polling Place could be moved to new City Hall and requested that Council Members consider this possibility and take action on 4-24- 02. Council expressed satisfaction with current polling place at the Senior Citizens’ Center. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Nettestad to continue using the Senior Citizens’ Center as the City’s polling place for elections. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Deputy Clerk-Treasurer