City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – 06-10-02 The City of Pelican Rapids met in regular session at 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 315 N. Broadway. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members John E. Waller III, Paulette Nettestad, Denise Magnusson and Dave Gottenborg were present. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Assistant to Deputy Clerk- Treasurer Julie Lammers, Utilities Superintendent Brent Frazier, Police Chief Scott Fox, Street and Parks Superintendent Vern Benson, David Brown and Michelle Grinstead of the Soccer League, Michele Hartman of Municipal Economic Development Network Inc.(MEDN), County Commissioner Malcom Lee and Gary Peterson of Pelican Rapids Press were also present. Meeting called to order by Mayor Runningen. Added Skate Park to the agenda. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to approve the minutes of 5-13-02 and 5-29- 02 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Council considered the Accounts Payable Listing of 6-10-02 with additions. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Magnusson to approve payment of the Accounts Payable Listing of 6-10-02 with addition of JC Electric Inc. for civil defense siren, $278.52, and Brandon Communications for moving base radio and antenna system from former city hall, $650.93. Motion includes payment of library bills approved by Board Representative Lucille Tunheim. Motion passed unanimously. Utilities Superintendent Brent Frazier reported on the Wastewater Treatment Facility. A CEP worker will be starting soon to help with extra summer time work. David Brown, Soccer League, requested another park in the community-a soccer field. At this time there is no green space to play soccer after August. David and two soccer players went to the park board requesting space for a soccer field in February. The park board was in favor of this and said they would look into finding a lot. Street and Parks Superintendent Vern Benson contacted Brown regarding a field at the City’s Renner property, west of Carr Field. The soccer players were in favor of building a field on this land and Egge Construction has been contacted regarding grading the area. Cost is approximately $5000. Prime planting time is in October. There are over 135 kids involved in soccer this summer. They have goals and a painting machine. Questions were asked about City insurance and how another park would effect cost. The soccer association has $1000 and in July they are planning a fundraiser to help raise funds. Questions were discussed regarding where school land ends and City land begins. The school will be contacted regarding permission for the use of their land and the possibility of constructing a walkway bridge over the wetlands for access to the field. Motion by Nettestad, and seconded by Waller to allow the soccer field on the Renner property with the Soccer League’s financial contribution. Motion passed unanimously. Street and Parks Superintendent Report was given by Vern Benson. Police Chief Scott Fox discussed police report handed out to council members. They are in the process of hiring a 3rd part time police officer. Fox is starting the procedure of getting titles on the vehicles stored at the Glendale Building so the City can have an auction. There are approximately 14 vehicles and office equipment. He has contacted the school and Lake Region Electric Cooperative to see if they would like to add items to the auction. He has applied for a grant to increase the hours policemen are working. The state is trying to increase seat belt use in Minnesota. To do this they are asking departments to put in more hours. Fox asked the council to consider options for Officer Wellnitz. He has used all of his comp time and sick leave and almost all of his vacation time. The City needs to discuss what to do: letting him take time he has not earned yet or allowing other employees to donate their time to him. This was done for Bob Pearson when he had health problems. Council directed the Personnel Committee to consider and make a recommendation. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to grant a plumbing license to Schmitty’s Plumbing, Heating and Sheetmetal Inc. Motion passed unanimously. Council discussed the Pelican Rapids Pool Policy, drafted by pool employee Dee Haiby for the swimming pool. It is fashioned after Detroit Lakes’ pool policy and is very comprehensive. Motion by Magnusson, seconded by Nettestad to approve Pool Policy. Motion passed unanimously. Loretel Cablevision is adding additional programming to its cable tv in Pelican Rapids. Rates will be increased beginning July 1. Council requested that Loretel have a representative attend a council meeting to discuss service and the contract, which will end in December of 2002. Pursuant to due call and published notice thereof, Mayor Runningen called the Tax Increment Financing Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. Michele Hartman, MEDN, announced hearing on changes to Tax Increment Financing District No. 3 plan. This modification is necessary for bond payment repayment. The rules have all been changed. The tax rate is presently frozen. Modification will allow funds from TIF 3 to go to TIF 1 to help with bond payments. The change will be about $10,000 over time. Lower income from TIF 1 is a direct result of West Central Turkey’s lower tax rate. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to close public hearing. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to introduce the following resolution, entitled RESOLUTION TO CHANGE TO A FLOATING TAX RATE FOR TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 3 “RIDGECREST – FARMERS HOME APTS” IN ORDER TO ASSIST TIF-1 WITH THE DEFICIT CAUSED BY THE CHANGES IN THE PROPERTY TAX LAWS, PURSUANT TO MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 469.1792, SUBDIVISION 3 AND RESOLUTION FOR MODIFICATION NO. 1 TO TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 3 "RIDGECREST – FARMERS HOME APTS” AND APPROVAL OF THE MODIFIED TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN RELATING THERETO TO BUDGET THE SPECIAL POOLING TO ASSIST TIF-1, AUTHORIZED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 469.1763, SUBDIVISION 6. (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. Pursuant to due call and published notice thereof, Mayor Runningen called the Business Subsidy Criteria hearing to order. Hartman explained that the City has not previously established a Business Subsidy Criteria. She has developed model criteria. A minimum wage floor needs to be established and may be at different levels based on types of businesses. Discussed Subsidy Criteria. Motion by Nettestad seconded by Magunnson to close public hearing. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Magannson to have the business criteria as minimum wage and to introduce the following resolution, entitled RESOLUTION APPROVING THE BUSINESS SUBSIDY CRITERIA. (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. County Commissioner Malcom Lee discussed that the GIS system and thanked the City Fire Department and Barb Mack, of Pelican Rapids Ambulance Service for all the work they have helped them with. Mayor Runningen asked how they are updating the E911. The largest problem they are having is with cell phones. People are giving up their phones for cell phones. Mayor Runningen has spoken to several people regarding the reuse of the former City Hall and would like to appoint a committee of the following people: a representative of the Economic Development Committee and the Chamber of Commerce, Richard Jenson, Wayne Runningen, Paulette Nettestad, and Marguerite Andrews and Gary Peterson. Council concurred. Skateboards are going to be restricted to the residential area. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson delineated the areas of town on a map. Discussed where skating can be done. Walking path discussed, are we going to allow skate boards? Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to expand the restricted area and include the walking path and Lake Region Electric property in the restricted area. Motion passed unanimously. Skate Park signage needs to be put up soon. Invited the Council to Skate Park Dedication June 16, 2002, at 3:00 p.m. Discussed article in Fergus paper. Cable Television discussion was continued. City would like to be informed when they are going off the air. Council agreed to approve this request but would like to see someone at a future meeting. Jenson has been speaking with Myron Knutson of Evenson Dodge and Monty Eastvold of Juran and Moody. He would like to know whom he should use in the future. Monty Eastvold has been doing City’s bond work for the last ten years. Council advised Jenson to continue to use Monty Eastvold of Juran and Moody. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Julie Lammers Assistant to Deputy Clerk-Treasurer