City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES-07-26-05 The City Council of Pelican Rapids met in regular session on Tuesday, 07-26-05, at 4:00 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 315 N. Broadway. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members David Gottenborg, John E. Waller, III, Richard Peterson and Ben Woessner were present. No one was absent. Administrator Don Solga, Assistant Clerk Julie Lammers, Utilities Superintendent Brent E. Frazier, Police Chief Scott Fox, Kim Embretson of the West Central Initiative Fund and Jane Aschnewitz of the Pelican Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce were also present. Mayor Runningen called the meeting to order. The following items were added to the agenda: Temporary 3.2% Malt Liquor License, West Central Initiative Foundation and House Purchase. Council reviewed the 07-26-05 Accounts Payable Listing with the addition of Library Bills, approved by Library Board Member Gary Lage. Motion by Waller, seconded by Peterson to approve the 07-26-05 Accounts Payable Listing and Library Bills as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Park Board Member Julie Lammers presented an update on the Park Board. She discussed closing the parks for Art in the Park and closing the swimming pool on Labor Day. The Park board has discussed options for stopping vandalism at the skate park and has decided to try to get students involved in the park again. There will be a skate park meeting at the skate park on Wednesday, 09-14-05, at 3:30 p.m. Thompson Park construction has begun with the sign up and they are beginning to work on getting water hooked up and the playground installed. The Park Board has a quote for $1,170 from Marty Electric to install a ventilation system in the Sherin Park Bathhouse. The Park Board recommends approval of this expense. Administrator Don Solga recommended council action. Motion by Waller, seconded by Peterson to proceed with ventilation system at Sherin Park Bathhouse in the amount of $1,170. Motion passed unanimously. Kim Embretson presented a report on the West Central Initiative Foundation and the projects that have been accomplished with the resources from communities. Currently in Pelican Rapids they have been working with early childhood and the multicultural committees. They also have been working with West Central Turkeys with training. This is part of a Workforce 2020 program. They are trying to set up a nurses training program due to the shortage of nurses in this area. Council member Ben Woessner joined the meeting 4:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce Director Jane Aschnewitz explained that the State of Minnesota is currently seeking applications for communities to be an Explore Minnesota Affiliate Travel Information Center. Aschnewitz explained that she will be putting in an application for this by 08-15-05 and only sixteen communities in the state will be receiving this honor. To meet the criteria of the application the Information Center will need to have two handicapped parking spaces on Broadway and a car plus trailer parking space near the Center. Council discussed ideas of how to make available handicapped spots. Motion by Woessner, seconded Waller to designate handicapped parking spaces on the bridge on the west side of Broadway and one in front of the Historic City Hall/Information Center on the east side of Broadway. Motion includes removal of handicapped spaces designated in the City Parking Lot north of the Liquor Store. Motion passed unanimously. Council discussed the need for trailer and truck parking and possibilities in the Peterson Park parking area . Administrator Don Solga reviewed the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which will be a requirement in Minnesota by 10-01-06. Emergency Manager Vern Benson and Committee Member Denise Magnusson are comparing the City’s Emergency Plan to the NIM System for compliance. Solga recommended the council adopt the resolution. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to introduce the following resolution, entitled RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. (A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the city clerk's office.) Mayor Runningen and Council Members Woessner, Waller, Peterson and Gottenborg voted yes. No one was opposed. Motion carried and resolution was declared duly adopted. Council discussed the VFW Post’s request for a Temporary Malt Liquor License for an on-sale beer operation in the VFW parking lot at 29 1st Ave. NW, beginning at noon and ending at midnight on 07-30-05. City Council discussed regulations regarding restricting access to beer operation, security and parking issues and directed Police Chief Scott Fox to meet with Manager Donna Mattern. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to approve the VFW Post 5252’s request for a Temporary 3.2% Malt Liquor License with the stipulation that access to the beer operation is restricted and that the VFW cannot block off any parking on the public streets. Mayor Runningen and Council Members Woessner, Waller and Peterson voted yes. Council Member Gottenborg voted no. Motion carried. Administrator Don Solga reviewed the biannual transit agreement with the State of Minnesota and recommended council action to authorize signing the agreement. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to introduce the following written resolution, entitled RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BODY TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO PROVIDE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICE IN THE CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS. (A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the city clerk's office.) Motion passed unanimously and resolution declared duly adopted. Assistant Clerk Julie Lammers explained that the OAKS program has requested that participants in their program be exempt from paying bus fare since OAKS is a non- profit organization and they provide a driver. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to not charge the OAKS Program for use of the bus. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga said he spoke with Eladio Escabar and Maria Guadarramo for the purchase of house located at 20 1st St. NW for $19,000. The City will pay $1,000 earnest money to hold the house and City Attorney Scott Dirks office will do a title search and a warranty deed. When the deed is signed, the City will remit a check for the remaining $18,000. Solga talked with the West Central Initiative Fund regarding funding for demolishing the house in exchange for a parcel of land for new house construction. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Woessner to approve an earnest money check for $1,000 and the final $18,000 when title search and warranty deed are completed, with funds from the Improvement Reserve Fund. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Runningen, council members, Administrator Don Solga, Assistant Clerk Julie Lammers and Utilities Superintendent Brent Frazier rode the City of Pelican Rapids bus to tour the lagoons. Meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Julie Lammers Assistant Clerk