City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – 12-26-02 The City Council of the City of Pelican Rapids met in regular session at 4:00 p.m., on Thursday, 12-26-02, in Council Chambers of City Hall, 315 N. Broadway. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Paulette Nettestad, Denise Magnusson, John E. Waller, III and Dave Gottenborg were present. No one was absent. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert and Street and Park Superintendent Vern Benson, and Rick Gail of the Pelican Rapids Press were also present. Meeting called to order by Mayor Runningen. Library Project items were deleted from the agenda and there were no additions. City Attorney Scott Dirks was present to discuss the Rental Housing Ordinance the Council has been working on. He has been working particularly on enforcement portion of the ordinance. He presented a final draft of the ordinance except for some definitions and some items that will be addressed by resolution. The ordinance is the framework that says, okay we’re going to do something. The resolutions will lay out more specifics. Council discussed various situations with Dirks. City Council agreed they want the ordinance to work with inspector’s practices as well. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to introduce a resolution to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 02-04 – RENTAL HOUSING ORDINANCE. (A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the city clerk’s office and has been published separately.) Ordinance is adopted with the understanding that additional resolutions will be ready in the next three to four months. Mayor Runningen, Council Members Waller, Magnusson, Gottenborg and Nettestad voted yes. No one opposed the motion. Motion passed unanimously and resolution was duly adopted. The Ordinance is effective upon publication. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Mayor Runningen and Council Member Gottenborg have met three times to discuss water and sewer rates based on changes at West Central Turkeys, Inc. (WCT). WCT uses 2/3 of the water pumped in the City. They are proposing a reduction of 80 million gallons per year. $320,000 is proposed water fund budget for 2003. $342,000 was the 2002 water fund budget. Present rates are service charges of $9.50 and $.98 per thousand gallons. Proposing service charges of $7.50 and $1.37 per thousand gallons for residential, commercial and industrial users. $520,000, a reduction of 10%, is proposed budget for sewer fund for 2003. Current rates are $5.00 service charges plus $1.15 per thousand gallons of water used for residential and commercial customers and $5.00 plus $2.00 for the turkey plant. Recommended new rates will be $7.50 plus $1.60 per thousand gallons for residential and commercial customers and $7.50 plus $3.02 per thousand gallons for the turkey plant. Difference is due to debt service. Committee recommends adoption of the proposed charges effective 01-01-03. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to set water rates at $7.50 for service charges and $1.37 per thousand gallons for all customers. Motion to set sewer rates at $7.50 for service charges and $1.60 per thousand gallons for residential and commercial customers and $3.02 per thousand gallons for West Central Turkeys, Inc. Effective date will be 01-01-03. Motion passed unanimously. A business has made a request to locate a drive-through coffee shop on Hwy.59, north of the alley next to 120 N. Broadway. Jenson reviewed a request by the new business to use self-contained mode for water and sewer until spring when the City will be able to locate the curb stop. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Magnusson to permit the drive-through coffee shop to operate until 06-01-03 in self-contained mode. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Nettestad to authorize an inter-fund loan to the liquor store in the amount of $31,947.79. The City will receive $6,441.04 on 04-11-03 and the balance is to be paid by 06-30-03. Motion passed unanimously. Liquor Store Inventory will be 01-02-03 at 7:00 a.m. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to approve Accounts Payable Listing of 12- 26-02 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Runningen reviewed the City/School Information Sign Policies. Motion by Magnusson, seconded by Gottenborg to approve the City/School Information Sign Policies as proposed. Motion passed unanimously. Council Member and Park Board Member Magnusson discussed the Proposed Thompson City Park. The Thompson Estate Committee met and discussed all the projects again and this project. The committee and Fred Thompson discussed allocating $95,000 for City Hall restoration and $45,000 for the new park with soccer field, hockey and open ice arena with basketball court and play ground. Council Member and Park Board Member Magnusson said, “They really liked the City Hall project for the historical project and this park.” Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to use the Thompson Estate money for City Hall restoration and the proposed Thompson City Park. Motion passed unanimously. Council discussed 10th Ave. SW traffic concerns. Police Chief Scott Fox said his department has been spending time down there and citing drivers for speeding violations. Mayor Runningen read the following letter to Council Member Paulette Nettestad. As Mayor of the City of Pelican Rapids, I would like to thank you on behalf of the citizens of Pelican Rapids for your sixteen years of service to our community. During the years that you served as Council Member, you have made many decisions that have changed the face of our community, and will have a lasting effect, which will make our community a better place to live. You have made a tremendous personal sacrifice of time serving on various committees, and being active in many other community activities and events. I hope that as you leave your duties as Council Member, you will continue to be active in our community. It has been an honor to serve with you during my tenure as Council Member, and as Mayor. You can be very proud of the sixteen years of service that you have given to our community. Working with your, I know that you have always tried to focus on the thoughts and needs of those that you served. On behalf of the Employees of the City of Pelican Rapids, and the Pelican Rapids City Council, I thank you for your sixteen years of service to our community. All of our best to you in the future! Sincerely, Wayne Runningen, Mayor – Pelican Rapids. Next meeting will be 01-13-03 at 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall. Meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Deputy Clerk-Treasurer