City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES-08/26/03 The City Council of Pelican Rapids met in regular session at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, 08/26/03. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Denise Magnusson, Dave Gottenborg and John Waller III were present. Council Member Ben Woessner was not present. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Street and Parks Superintendent Vern Benson, Utilities Superintendent Brent Frazier, Rental Housing Inspector Lyle Nesvold, Gary and Elaine Johnson, Harold and Marge Engebretson, Richard Peterson and Rick Gale of the Pelican Rapids Press were also present. Meeting called to order by Mayor Runningen. Solid Waste was added to the agenda. Lyle Nesvold of Codes Plus was present to report to council on the Rental Housing inspections. 123 units are registered. 108 have been inspected. Most discrepancies have been small and involve the smoke detectors in the sleeping rooms and requirements for ground fault interruptible outlets in kitchens. His current bill is $2000 for period of 08-12-03 through 08-22-03. Council reviewed the Accounts Payable Listing Motion by Magnusson, seconded by Waller to approve with the addition of Codes Plus in the amount of $2000. Motion passed unanimously. Utilities Superintendent Brent Frazier reviewed his request for a Wastewater Treatment Facility Grinder. Braun Pump provided a quote of $35,000 for the grinder. Council Member Gottenborg inspected the site and reviewed possible future needs and said he agrees with Frazier. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Magnusson to authorize purchase of the grinder. Motion passed unanimously. Street and Parks Superintendent provided a Sanitary Sewer Maintenance Policy for Council’s review. Council will review prior to next Council meeting on 09-08-03. Liquor Store Manager Bob Leslie provided Council with records for July and August. The sales and customer counts show a substantial increase from last year. Pursuant to due call and published notice thereof, a public hearing was held to consider vacating the entire alley behind Ellen and Carey Johnson’s. Mayor Runningen asked if any members of the public present would like to comment. Peterson said he did not see any value to vacating the alley and he did not want to pay to vacate the alley. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller, to vacate the alley behind Ellen and Carey Johnson’s property and Harold and Marge Engebretson’s property.only, excluding Richard Peterson’s property. Motion passed unanimously. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson reported that bids were expected to come in at $205,000 for the transfer site improvements. Bids came in at $491,800 and $471,122.. The County Board of Commissioners rejected all bids. Solid Waste Officer Mike Hanan said improvements will be reviewed and bids may be requested early next spring. Mayor Runningen distributed plans and sketches for exterior and interior renovation of Old City Hall. Jenson provided a cost estimate of $65,000 for work and $6,500 for the architect’s fee for a total of $71,500. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Magnusson to have Schulz, Torgerson to obtain bids for exterior work for Old City Hall. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Deputy Clerk-Treasurer