City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – 05-31-05 The City Council of Pelican Rapids met in regular session at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, 05- 31-05, Council Chambers, City Hall. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members David Gottenborg, John E. Waller, Ben Woessner and Richard E. Peterson were present. Administrator Don Solga, Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Roger Schleske, Lou Ann Schleske, Dion Schleske, Jim Wick, and Tom Hintgen of the Pelican Press were also present. Meeting called to order by Mayor Runningen. An addition to the agenda was an Economic Development Authority meeting with the Economic Development Corporation and the West Central Initiative Fund. Motion by Waller, seconded by Woessner to approve payment of the 05-31- 05 Accounts Payable as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Peterson to approve Off-Sale Malt Liquor License Renewals to Paul Evenson on behalf of Southtown C Store and Rick Loerzel on behalf of Paul’s of Pelican, Inc., BP AMOCO. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to approve On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License and Sunday On-Sale License Renewals to Paul Evenson on behalf of Bridges of Pelican Rapids, Inc. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Woessner, seconded by Waller to approve Club On-Sale Liquor License and Sunday On-sale License Renewal to Donna Mattern on behalf of VFW Post 5252. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga reviewed the 04-25-05 petition for a street improvement on 10th Ave. SW as a 36 foot wide, rural section. Residents on 10th Ave. SW were present to discuss the petition for improvements. City policy requires curb and gutter for street improvements. Council Member Peterson said he is not in favor of changing the policy. He would be receptive to another way to pay for the improvements to help people out on 10th Ave. SW. Council Member Gottenborg said his thinking is that all future development will be rural section if 10th Ave. SW is approved as a rural section. “I’m not in favor of a rural section; although I would be in favor of alternative financing,” Gottenborg said. Roger Schleske, Lou Ann Schleske, Dion Schleske and Jim Wick all spoke in favor of the need for some paving on 10th Ave. SW. They said the cost of curb and gutter makes the project too expensive. “I’d like to see curb and gutter, but maybe we can see another way to pay for the curb and gutter,” said John Waller. Peterson said maybe say that the property owner pay for the first 100 ft and one third of balance. “New developments are coming with bigger lots,” Peterson said. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Peterson to deny the request to pave 10th Ave. SW as a rural section. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Runningen appointed Council Members Gottenborg and Peterson and Administrator Solga to a committee to study street improvement policy. Administrator Solga presented the Park Board Report. Several items needing repair include: the Pelican Rapids sign on Hwy. 108 West, sidewalk north of Splash/Pelican Drug building, Sherin Park Bathhouse and white walking bridge across the river on 1st St. NW. City staff will make a recommendation. Solga presented the Park Board’s recommendation to request donations from benefited business owners for the street planters. City Council recommended that the Chamber of Commerce request the donations. This would open the project up to individuals as well as businesses in the community and surrounding area. Council Members indicated the project is a natural extension of the Chamber’s work and Oktoberfest Committee’s efforts to beautify and develop Pelican Rapids. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to appoint the following lifeguards: Jessica Zsedeny, Christa Zsedeny, Carrie Kantrud, Amanda Backstrom, Alecia Hagen, Brandon Haugrud, Jessica Holte and Shauntae Sachs. All lifeguards have worked previously for the City of Pelican Rapids and will be paid $7.08 per hour. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Solga reported that 86 letters have gone out as a result of the Planning Commission Tour. He has been responding to questions and concerns. The letter notified property owners of the problem on their property with a deadline of 06-13-05 for correcting the problem. Solga will recheck properties and a more aggressive letter will be sent to those who do not voluntarily comply by 06-12- 05. Liquor Store Manager Bob Leslie came to the meeting at 5:20 p.m. to discuss a new shelf labeler at a cost of $600 for the system, delivery and installation from Total Registry. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to approve the request. Motion passed unanimously. Leslie says the liquor store is up $10,000 in sales over 2004. Council Member Woessner asked what the present inventory is. Leslie estimated inventory between $105,000 to $110,000. Council will conduct a special meeting and public hearing on the proposed assessments for Improvement Project No. 70 at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, 06-02-05, Council Chambers, City Hall. Improvement Project No. 70 Proposed Bond Sale will be 4:00 p.m., 06-28-05, Council Chambers, City Hall. Council Member Peterson discussed problems with the bus schedule. The bus is presently operating like a taxi on demand. Administrator Solga is checking the possibility of finding volunteer drivers for the summer. Another possibility is hiring drivers for the specific times. Council discussed whether to offer bus rides to school students during the winter months. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to establish the following schedule for the bus and to increase the rates to 50 cents one way, effective 06-13-05. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9:00 & 10:45 a.m. and 1:00, 2:00 & 3:00 p.m. Tuesday: 1:00, 2:00 & 3:00 p.m. Friday: 9:00 & 10:45 a.m. Motion passed unanimously. Council will consider the fall and winter bus schedule later in the summer. Administrator Solga discussed the location of one of the proposed test wells to replace Well No. 14, on the east side of the golf course driving range. Solga and Utilities Superintendent Brent E. Frazier met with the Park Region Cooperative Board on 05-16-05 to discuss Well No. 14 issues. City is continuing to work with the city attorney and the Petro Fund to insure reimbursement for costs with Well No. 14. Mayor Runningen reviewed the need for a joint meeting with the Economic Development Authority, the Economic Development Corporation and the West Central Initiative Fund. Possible dates are 06-20-05 and 06-21-05 and 06-22- 05 at 7:00 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Clerk-Treasurer