City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES-01-27-04 The City of Pelican Rapids City Council met in regular session at 4:00 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 315 N. Broadway, on Tuesday, 01-27-04. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Denise Magnusson, John E. Waller, III, David Gottenborg and Ben Woessner were present. No one was absent. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Street and Park Superintendent Tom Soberg, Utilities Superintendent Brent E. Frazier, Gene Miller, Gordon Gugel and Rick Gail of the Pelican Rapids Press were also present. Added to the Agenda: Gordon Gugel – sewer concerns. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to approve payment of the 01-27- 04 Accounts Payable Listing as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson reviewed a wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) engineering agreement to study phosphorous. Study is required by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to approve a contract with Interstate Engineering to study WWTF concerns. Contract is not to exceed $38,500 and will be billed monthly on an hourly basis. Motion passed unanimously. Jenson reviewed VFW Auxiliary request regarding their charitable gambling license. Would like to offer bingo on Saturday in addition to original license for Thursday. Motion by Woessner, seconded by Magnusson to approve the request. Motion passed unanimously. Jenson reviewed an aerial mapping request for $2,000. Last aerial map was done in 1964. Gene Miller said the City previously authorized a line map, including surveying boundaries, utility lines. The aerial photograph would be on disc and would provide a second layer of information on the City. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Magnusson to accept the quote of $2,000 from Lake Region Surveying for aerial mapping for the comprehensive plan to be paid out of Economic Development monies. Motion passed unanimously. Gorden Gugel of 700 Old Fergus Road, discussed sewer concerns. The City charged $624.01 from November 1995 to 2002 for sewer service based on information received. At that time Gugel was not connected to the sewer service line although it is stubbed into the house. He would like to have the City hire a plumber to connect the sewer. Jenson said there is no question the City owes Gugel for the sewer charged previously. Jenson said he will tell City Attorney Scott Dirks the new facts and go from there. City staff will obtain some estimates and bring it back to the City Council with the City Attorney’s recommendation. Jenson said the department heads have discussed employee badges for city employees. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to approve the purchase of employee badges as recommended by Jenson. Motion passed unanimously. Jenson said he has checked on prices for additional seasonal decorations. The 4 ft. shooting star is $186 each plus shipping and tax. Recommends buying six stars at an approximate cost of $1200. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to approve. Motion passed unanimously. Public Facilities Committee will meet Friday, 01-30-04, at 7:30 a.m. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to certify unpaid utility bill in the amount of $172.23 for parcel no. R76000126000 to Otter Tail County for collection with real estate taxes. Motion passed unanimously. Jenson reviewed a Health Care Retirement Benefit plan allowing employees to use unpaid vacation, sick time and severance pay to put into an account for paying health insurance and health benefits. City would be responsible for reporting and administration. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to proceed with offering a post retirement health care plan to all full time, non-union employees to include vacation, sick and comp time paid into the plan. Council Members Waller and Magnusson voted yes. Mayor Runningen, Council Members Woessner and Gottenborg voted no. Motion did not carry. Council Members requested more information on the program and suggested a representative from the Minnesota Post Retirement Health Insurance Plan attend the next council meeting to answer questions. Liquor Store Manager Bob Leslie said the cameras will be installed 02-09 and 02- 10-04. Both he and Jenson will go through the training provided by the company. Council Member Waller suggested city staff apply for a Historic Buildings grant for paint for Old City Hall. Meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Deputy Clerk-Treasurer