City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES - 08-12-02 The City Council of Pelican Rapids met in regular session on Monday, 08-12-02, at 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 315 N. Broadway. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members John E. Waller, III, Denise Magnusson, Dave Gottenborg were present. Council Member Paulette Nettestad was absent. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Street and Parks Superintendent Vern Benson, Utilities Superintendent Brent Frazier, Police Chief Scott Fox, Ryan Fox, Gary Peterson of the Pelican Rapids Press and Jeff Boese of Lutheran Social Services. Mayor Runningen called meeting to order. Items added to the agenda included Ryan Fox, Fire Hydrant Project, Certify Unpaid Utility Bill to Otter Tail County and Council Member Magnusson will report on the Street Chair Project. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to approve minutes of 7-8-02 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Boy Scout Ryan Fox reported that the fire hydrants are all painted. Thirteen people worked on the project, 130 hours and about 6 gallons of paint. Mayor Runningen and Council Members expressed appreciation for the hard work and good project. The City will send a letter of thanks to Ryan Fox for completing this Eagle Scout Project. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Magnusson to approve payment of the Accounts Payable Listing of 8-12-02 with additions as presented. Approval includes Library Accounts Payable as authorized by Janet Lindberg of the Library Board on 8-12- 02. Motion passed unanimously. Police Chief Scott Fox reported on Police Department activities during July. City Police Department and other city items auction will be Friday, 08-16-02. Lyle Nesvold, Lakes Area Cooperative, reported on inspection process he has performed for the City of Frazee. He said most people tried really hard to have their buildings in compliance for the inspection. He said they would bid the inspection process at $40 per inspection. Council discussed purpose of process designed to improve the quality of life for residents and bring properties up to code. The program protects the tenants and landlords. The project begins with a training session for the landlords. Nesvold recommends holding the training as soon after the ordinance is passed as possible. After training, property registration and inspection begins. Council discussed having City Attorney Scott Dirks review the Frazee Ordinance. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Magnusson to have City Attorney Scott Dirks prepare a rough draft of a Housing Ordinance and make recommendations. Motion passed unanimously. Utility Superintendent Brent Frazier reported on activities in his department. Frazier has had the water plant filters inspected as to cause of mud balls on the filters. He will provide more information as available. Street and Parks Superintendent Vern Benson reported on activities in his department. Otter Tail County Hazardous Waste Collection went really well. Many city employees and Council Member Nettestad helped with the collection and Mayor Runningen thanked them for their participation. Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert presented the 07-31-02 Liquor Store Report with year to date information and comparison to 2001. The Liquor Store has used an investment from previous years to purchase a point of sales computer system and to accomplish other improvements. Sales and net profits show an increase over 2001. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson reported the City of Pelican Rapids received a gift from the estate of Isabel Thompson for the improvement of one or more city parks or city buildings. Ehlert presented financial reports and reviewed investment of Isabel Thompson Estate funds, the 07/31/02 Investments and 07/31/02 Financial Report/ Clerk’s Cash Recap. During discussion of council salaries, Council Member Gottenborg said he is opposed to an increase. Other Council Members agreed that council salaries remain the same in 2003 and 2004. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to appoint the following election judges: Shirley Irey, Betty Petkewick, Brent Frazier, Betty Vigen, Daren Berube, Julie Lammers, Jackie Backstrom, Muriel Rogelstad, Jean McDonald, Lorraine Ohe, Pat Krekelberg and Merrilee Ottoson.. Motion passed unanimously. Jenson reported the dues for MESERB are $534 plus Coalition of Greater Minnesota dues of approximately $3500. Budget Committee will discuss and make a recommendation to council. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to approve certification to Otter Tail County of an unpaid utility bill in the amount of $103.58 to Parcel No. R76000990668000 for collection by with real estate taxes. Motion passed unanimously. Council Member Magnusson reported on Street Chair Project. Chairs are ready and will be presented to the Park Board on 08-22-02. Jeff Boese of Lutheran Social Services was present to gather information for tenants on the Housing Inspection Ordinance. Council discussed project. As approved by City Council on 07-31-02, Nancy Huseby has been hired as Temporary Receptionist at $7.30 per hour for a maximum of 20 hours per week and eight weeks. Welcome Nancy. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Deputy Clerk-Treasurer