City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES-04-11-05 The City Council of Pelican Rapids met in regular session at 5:30 p.m., Monday, 04- 11-05, in Council Chambers, City Hall, 315 N. Broadway. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Ben Woessner, John E. Waller, III, Richard E. Peterson and David Gottenborg were present. No one was absent. Administrator Don Solga, Clerk- Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Police Chief Scott Fox, Utilities Superintendent Brent E. Frazier, Liquor Store Manager Bob Leslie, Library Director Pam Westby, Judith Marko and Tom Hintgen of the Pelican Rapids Press were also present. Meeting called to order by Mayor Runningen. Agenda additions included Certify Unpaid Utility Bill and Airport Buildings. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to approve the minutes of 03-14-05 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to approve the Accounts Payable Listing of 04-11-05, as presented. Motion includes payment of the Library Bill Listing of as approved by Library Board Member Gary Lage. Motion passed unanimously. Police Chief Scott Fox reported for the department. He informed the City Council that a complaint has been filed against the police department. Mayor Runningen discussed need for special meeting. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller, to set a special, closed meeting on Tuesday, 04-19-05, at 5:30 p.m., to consider attorney client issues regarding a complaint received by the police department. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga will answer any questions regarding this complaint. Council Member Woessner said that Chief Fox did a nice job on the drug and alcohol prevention presentation at the American Legion meeting. Utilities Superintendent Brent E. Frazier presented his report. Frazier also reported on bids to conduct new well borings. The City of Pelican Rapids received a bid in the amount of $36,803 from M. J. Traut Well Company and in the amount of $22,314 from Thein Well Company for well borings. The City is working with Jim DeLambert of Leisch Associates and Engineer Gary Nansen of Ulteig Corporation to site a new well. A deep well is the City’s first choice. One of the proposed well locations is not on city property. DeLambert will secure a purchase agreement for the property prior to conducting borings. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Peterson to accept the low bid from Thein Well Company in the amount of $22,314, and to proceed with the new well borings. Motion passed unanimously. Street and Park Superintendent Tom Soberg was not able to be present for the meeting. Administrator Don Solga reviewed the Public Works Facility punch list. Council discussed an open house for the facility. Library Director Pam Westby reported on activities at the Library. Westby said various contractors were present at a meeting to discuss heating/cooling problems at the library. She said many items were corrected and the systems have been operating successfully except for the floor heat. She thanked Mayor Runningen for the information on system warranty deadline of two years. There was no charge to the City for the meeting with all the contractors for 8-10 hours in the library because it was prior to warranty expiration. Liquor Store Manager Bob Leslie reported on items at the liquor store. He mentioned that the roof is leaking. He was directed to contact Herzog Roofing; the roof is about 8 to 10 years old. Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert presented the 03-31-05 Financial Reports. Administrator Don Solga reviewed the rental inspection at Mary Jaroch’s, conducted on 04-01-05. There were two new items from the initial inspection on 07-25-03. The property owner will repair these items. Jaroch established a payment schedule and made an initial payment on her delinquent utility bill. Mayor Runningen reported on the Street Improvement Project No. 70 Public Hearing and Special Meeting conducted on 04-05-05. People present were favorable to the project as proposed and the project will be advertised for bids. The City will conduct an assessment hearing after receiving construction bids, prior to making a decision on the project. Council discussed other related street improvement items. Administrator Don Solga reviewed the proposed land sale to Egge Construction. Administrator Solga also reported on the VFW proposed land transaction. The VFW has offered to pay necessary legal expenses for the transaction. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to approve the land transaction with the VFW for land under the old Tourist Information Center building and to authorize Administrator Solga to act on the City’s behalf. Motion passed unanimously. The Board of Review will be conducted on Wednesday, 04-27-05, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., in Council Chambers, City Hall, 315 N. Broadway. At their meeting at 4:30 p.m., 04-11-05, the Planning Commission adopted a resolution, entitled RESOLUTION OF THE PELICAN RAPIDS PLANNING COMMISSION FINDING THE PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 6 “EYE CLINIC”, LOCATED WITHIN MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. 2 AND PROPOSAL FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN RELATING THERETO TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE CITY. Motion by Waller, seconded by Woessner to accept the Planning Commission’s approval of Tax Increment Financing District No. 6 “Eye Clinic”. Motion passed unanimously. Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be 08-10-05. Utility Billing Hearing for Account No. 600 will be rescheduled to 04-26-05. A payment has been received. Lake Region Avenue needs signage because it is a blind approach. Council directed city staff to review situation and order appropriate signage. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to certify the unpaid utility bill in the amount of $107.79 to Parcel No. 563-001 for collection with real estate taxes. Motion passed unanimously. Fire Chief Trevor Steeves said several people have approached him about buying or receiving some of the smaller outbuildings and garage at the airport property. The City Council previously requested that the fire department burn the buildings as part of a fire training exercise for the department. Council agreed to continue with original plan. Council Member Woessner said Loretel Systems did a good job and a public service in sponsoring the Dark Side of the Internet and deserves a letter of thanks for a job well done. Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Clerk-Treasurer