City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – 01-28-03 The City Council of Pelican Rapids met in regular session on Tuesday, 01-28-03, at 4:00 p.m., Council Chambers of City Hall, 315 N. Broadway. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members John E. Waller, Denise Magnusson, Dave Gottenborg and Ben Woessner were present. No one was absent. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Police Chief Scott Fox and Street and Parks Superintendent Vern Benson were also present. Mayor Runningen called the meeting to order. A request from the Assembly of God Church was added to the agenda. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson reviewed the Planning Commission meeting of 01-23-03. Motion by Magnusson, seconded by Waller to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation and approve a Special Use Permit for Park Region Oil Co. to install a 500-gallon propane refueler at 112 N. Broadway, vacant lot south of the old Amoco Station with the following additional requirement: Installation must be approved by the State Fire Marshall’s office. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Magnusson, seconded by Gottenborg to approve a front yard variance for 10 – 5th Ave. SE to rebuild a garage on existing footing due to fill needed if going south. Motion passed unanimously. Council considered the proposed parade route recommended by the Chamber of Commerce for the Turkey Festival Parade. Bridge replacement on 1st St. NW requires a new route this year. Council discussed the steep hill on 5th Ave. SE and turning. Parade line-up will be on 1st St. SW and 5th Ave. SW, behind the High School. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to approve route as recommended. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Magnusson to allow use of City Hall meeting room on 02-15-03 by the Chamber of Commerce Art-in-the-Park Committee. Motion passed unanimously. Clarification was also requested for Chamber of Commerce Turkey Festival Committee at last meeting. Monthly meetings are okay through July. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to authorize a donation of $450 to Experience Works Program. Motion passed unanimously. Street and Parks Superintendent Vern Benson presented the Vehicle Replacement Schedule to the City Council. Any comments and/or suggestions can be made at 02- 10-03 City Council meeting. Council discussed hosting a Hazardous Waste Day for residents to dispose of said waste. Motion by Woessner, seconded by Waller to approve conducting a Hazardous Waste Day in connection with Otter Tail County Solid Waste Department with a date to be determined. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson that the City Council will conduct the Board of Review on Tuesday, 04-29-03, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Council discussed prior request and authorization for a drive-through coffee shop to operate until spring before connecting to permanent water and sewer. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller that due to circumstances of property previously leased, the property owners need to come back to the Council with a proposed location. Motion passed unanimously. Scott Dirks and Richard E. Peterson of the Airport Committee presented a report for construction of an additional hanger to serve six planes. After discussion of estimated costs and number of people committed to leasing additional space, motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Magnusson to authorize the Airport Committee to go to bid process for the construction of a hangar. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to accept the Airport Committee’s recommendation and set hangar rent at $70 per month for a hangar in the carousel and $60 per month in the original hangar, effective 03-01-03. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Runningen, member of the Payroll Committee, reviewed the Police Union Contract negotiations. Contract is for 2003 and 2004. Wages to increase 4% each year for full time police and the part time police officers’ base salary will increase by .25 cents an hour and 4% in 2003 and 4% in 2004. A night differential of .30 cents an hour will be added for hours worked from 10:00 p.m. to 6 a.m. A Sergeant’s position will be recognized with a pay adjustment of $100 per month. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to accept the Police Union Contract for 2003 and 2004 as negotiated, effective 01-01-03. Motion passed unanimously. Police Chief Scott Fox explained that a new squad car is scheduled for purchase this year. The state bid is for a Crown Victoria with equipment at a cost of approximately $25,000. Council Member and Budget Committee Member Gottenborg said the car is included in the 2003 Budget and he expressed concern about the state’s deficit. Fox will see how long the state bid is open. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to table the squad car decision to permit the Budget Committee to meet, review expenses and make a recommendation. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Runningen reviewed the Payroll Committee’s offer of 31/2% wage increase to non-union employees. Council discussed various payroll items, including a Minnesota State Retirement Plan to allow employees to roll severance and unused vacation and sick time into a medical reimbursement account at retirement. Council Member Woessner suggested giving non-union employees a 4% increase. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to authorize a 4% increase to non-union employees for 2003, effective 01- 01-03. Motion passed unanimously. Council discussed the 1st St. NW Bridge. The Park Board considered options on the bridge railing and location of sidewalks as researched by Cooper Stewart. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson said that Otter Tail County is willing to pay 50% of the extra cost of upgrading the railing. Motion by Magnusson, seconded by Gottenborg to authorize additional cost to the City of Railing Option No. 2 for the 1st St. NW Bridge with Otter Tail County also paying 50% of the increased cost over the standard railing. Motion passed unanimously. James R. Resa, senior pastor of Alexandria Living Waters Assembly of God Church addressed Council. He said the Pelican Rapids congregation of Assembly of God Church is looking at possibilities of a larger facility and he wanted to know if the City had information about available buildings. Meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Richard A. Jenson Administrative Assistant