City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES-01-31-06 The City Council of the City of Pelican Rapids met in regular session at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, 01-31-06, in Council Chambers, City Hall, 315 N. Broadway. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Ben Woessner, David Gottenborg and John E. Waller, III, were present. Council Member Richard Peterson was absent. Administrator Don Solga, Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Police Chief Scott Fox, Police Officer Jeff Stadum, Street and Park Superintendent Brian Olson, Library Director Pam Westby, Park Board Member Julie Lammers, Stan Zierke, Blake Meland, Judy Marko, Patty Dahl, Jerry Barney of The Press, Nancy Loftsgard and Kathy Torkildson of the Girl Scouts were also present. Mayor Runningen called meeting to order. The following items were added to the agenda: 14. Stan Zierke, Trailer Court; 15. Blake Meland, Snow; 16. Police Chief Scott Fox; 17. Girl Scouts Stan Zierke of the Trailer Court asked about animal control in the Trailer Court. Administrator Don Solga said the Animal Control Committee is meeting and working on a new ordinance for presentation to the City Council in the next two months. Blake Meland explained that he had permission from Street and Park Superintendent Brian Olson to put snow in a windrow in the street. Olson said he gave permission based on previous years. At the City Council meeting of 01-09-06, Council Member Peterson requested that Street and Park Superintendent Brian Olson send letters to business people reminding them not to push snow into the streets. Council requested that Olson work with business owners to identify snow storage places and prevent additional snow being put in the streets. Police Chief Scott Fox reviewed the police personnel. He has two full time officers on medical leave at this time. This results in the three part time officers working too many hours. He would like to advertise for an additional part time police officer. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Woessner to authorize Police Chief Scott Fox to advertise for a part time police officer. Motion passed unanimously. Nancy Loftsgard said Girl Scout Troop 176 has been researching youth centers for the past two years. They are requesting city support for the concept of a youth center. They will continue to develop plans and will bring ideas back to the City for their review. Mayor Runningen said everyone is in favor of the idea, but the City will need to know what financial support the group is looking for. Loftsgard said Troop 176 just wanted to be on record as working on a youth center. Patty Dahl discussed the ideas she has for the Muddy Moose at 30 N. Broadway. She is planning to add restaurant capabilities to the facility. In connection with these plans she is requesting a Regular On Sale Intoxicating Liquor License and Sunday On Sale Liquor License. Motion by Woessner, seconded by Waller, to approve the Regular On Sale Intoxicating Liquor and Sunday Liquor License to Patricia Ann Dahl, for the period of four months, beginning on March 1, 2006, subject to proof of liquor liability insurance and a copy of her restaurant license. Motion passed unanimously. Park Board Member Julie Lammers presented an update on the Park Board. She recommended approving the youth members for the Park Board. Motion by Waller, seconded by Woessner to approve Vanessa Mancilla and Jessica Toftely as youth members of the Park Board. Motion passed unanimously. The Park Board has submitted an application for a Transportation Enhancements Project through the West Central Area Transportation Partnership. Otter Tail County will serve as fiscal agent for the grant since the City’s population is less than 5,000. The Transportation Enhancement Project in River Park is for two bridges and 1,350 feet of walking/biking trail along the Pelican River within River Park, north of the Multicultural Learning Center and the Senior Citizens’ Center. In connection with this application, the Park Board recommended purchase of parcel 469-001, along the Pelican River. The Transportation Enhancements Project application is for $100,000 of the $125,000 cost. Various community organizations have pledged $5500 towards this project. The Park Board recommends the City Council approve an annual Park Board expenditure for the balance of the local share in the amount of $6500 in the budget for 2007, 2008 and 2009. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to budget $6500 over a period of three years for the Transportation Enhancements Project application with the West Central Initiative Fund. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to introduce the Resolution Accepting Responsibility as the Sponsoring Agency. (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. Motion by Woessner, seconded by Waller to introduce the Agreement to Maintain Facility. (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. Library Director Pam Westby reported on library matters. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to accept the Library Board’s recommendation to approve Jana Steeves as a Library Board member for 2006, 2007 and 2008. Motion passed unanimously. She reported that there have been ice problems on the library roof, resulting in wet walls and carpet. Administrator Solga said Street and Park Superintendent Brian Olson will check into removing snow from the roof. Mayor Runningen also suggested commercial products to heat the eave troughs, drain spouts and possibly the sidewalk on the east side of the building. Council Members reviewed the Accounts Payable Listing of 01-31-06. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to approve Accounts Payable Listing of 01-31-06 with the addition of Wells Fargo Card Services for library organizers in the amount of $247.25. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Runningen addressed City Council on the need for a liquor store facility committee to research ideas and plans for the facility. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to appoint Woessner and Gottenborg to the liquor store facility committee. Motion passed unanimously. Fire Department Officers and Salaries postponed to the next council meeting. Mayor Runningen said a meeting was held on 01-19-06, with representatives present from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the City, West Central Environmental and Park Region Co-Op. An agreement was reached between the City and Park Region Co-Op concerning the replacement of Pelican Rapids City Well No. 14. Park Region Co-Op will be responsible for all expenses to replace Well No. 14. Working with consultants Liesch Associates, the City has identified a site for a replacement well located north of the current well sites and the use of this site is subject to the approval of the Minnesota Department of Health. As a part of this agreement, a request was made of the City to contact its engineering firm, Ulteig Engineers of Detroit Lakes, MN. They will be asked to provide Park Region Co-Op with an estimated cost for providing engineering services to develop plans and specifications that would be used as bidding documents for the replacement of Well No. 14. This will include all piping and facilities necessary to connect the well to the City’s water system. The City understands that Park Region Co-Op will be seeking pre-approval of all expenses from the Petrofund for the replacement of Well No. 14. All contractual agreements will be between Park Region Co-Op and any firms involved in the planning and replacement of the well. The City of Pelican Rapids will not be responsible for any of these costs. However, the City reserves the right to proceed with the bonding process and replacement of Well No. 14 on its own if it concludes it is necessary to do so to assure replacement of Well No. 14 this year. Motion by Waller, seconded by Woessner to adopt Ordinance No. 06-03, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CITY CODE SECTION 201.01, SUBDIVISION 1, SUBDIVISION 2 AND SUBDIVISION 3, RELATING TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS OF 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 ordinance declared duly adopted and in effect upon publication. Administrator Solga recommended increasing the mileage rate to the IRS allowable rate of .445 cents. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to set the mileage rate at .445 cents per mile, effective 02-01-06. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Woessner to approve Pheasants Forever raffle application. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Runningen directed city staff to express appreciation to the Fergus Falls, Vergas and Elizabeth Fire Departments for their mutual aid assistance at the fire on 01-26-06. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC, Clerk-Treasurer