City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES-04-10-06 The City Council of Pelican Rapids met in regular session at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, 04-10-06, in Council Chambers, City Hall, 315 N. Broadway. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Ben Woessner, John E. Waller, III, and David Gottenborg were present. Council Member Richard Peterson was absent. Administrator Don Solga, Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Police Chief Scott Fox, Utilities Superintendent Brent E. Frazier, Street and Park Superintendent Brian Olson, Liquor Store Manager Bob Leslie, Library Director Pam Westby, Judy Marko, Engineer Gary Nansen and John Olson of Ulteig Engineering, Kelley Gorman of the Pelican Rapids Press were also present. Mayor Runningen called the meeting to order. No items were added to or deleted from the agenda. Utilities Superintendent Brent E. Frazier presented his report. He said the anaerobic pond is being pumped to help reduce odor. Engineer Gary Nansen of Ulteig Engineering addressed City Council regarding the preliminary engineering report for the underground utility improvements on Maplewood Dr. John Olson of Ulteig Engineering was also present. Nansen reviewed the scope of the project, the costs of the water and sewer extension and a separate cost for looping the water main. Mayor Runningen discussed the deferred assessments from a previous project. One of the options on this project would be to defer the assessments on lots that are not being developed at this time. The assessments could be paid when the lots are sold or property is developed. At that time, the deferred assessments would be assessed and developments would need to be connected to water and sewer. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to accept the preliminary report, set the public hearing for 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 04-25-06, by introducing the following resolution, entitled RESOLUTION RECEIVING REPORT AND CALLING HEARING ON IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 71. (A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the city clerk's office.) Motion passed unanimously and resolution was declared duly adopted. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Woessner to approve the minutes of 03-13- 06 and 03-28-06 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Council reviewed the Accounts Payable Listing of 04-10-06. Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert reviewed an addition for the library and a deletion for an engineering bill. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to approve Accounts Payable Listing of 04-10-06 as presented with the addition of $30.95 for a library bill to Twin Cities Public Television (WF credit card) and deletion of Interstate Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $14,901.90. Additional information will be gathered about Interstate Engineering, Inc. bill and it will be considered at a later meeting. Motion passed unanimously. Police Chief Scott Fox reported on the police department. Street and Park Superintendent Brian Olson reviewed activities in his department. Transit Project Manager for Minnesota Department of Transportation Keven Anderson. Anderson discussed the opportunity for Pelican Rapids to join with other cities to be a part of Otter Tail County Transit System with bus drivers provided by Productive Alternatives. Telephone requests for rides would be processed through Productive Alternatives and rides could be provided on demand as happened in previous years. Administrator Don Solga said the advantage to the City would be that it would still be the community’s bus; however, the bus system would be operated, driven and maintained by Productive Alternatives. Solga spoke in favor of Productive Alternatives taking on the marketing aspect of this service to the public because the riders in Pelican Rapids have declined. Mayor Runningen said that during meetings for the Comprehensive Plan, senior citizens identified access to transportation as an important issue. Benefits include someone promoting the service, a full time driver and fewer administrative costs. City would need to be involved in the policy making. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to write a letter of support for the Otter Tail County Transit entity with bus drivers provided by Productive Alternatives. Motion passed unanimously. Library Director Pam Westby presented information on the library. There will be an informational seminar for the Visually Impaired & 55 or Over at the Pelican Rapids Public Library on Tuesday, 04-25-06 from 1-3 p.m. Mayor Runningen said he has met with Library Board President Mary Sorum, Friends of the Library Member Joanie Ellison and Westby to discuss serving on the board of a foundation. The Library Board is looking at establishing a 501 3-c foundation. The revenues from this 501 3- c could be used to promote the library. Attorney Chuck Krekelberg is working on the 501 3-c application. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to authorize Mayor Wayne Runningen to serve on the letters of incorporation board for the Pelican Rapids Library Foundation. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Solga reported on meeting with township representatives to discuss the Fire Hall construction. Townships requested more information on formulas for fire hall expenses and fire department expenses and some contract changes. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to accept the Fire Department’s appointment of Alan Martinson as Assistant Chief. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to approve an increase in the base water rate of nine cents per month for Minnesota Department of Health drinking water service connection fee. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to introduce the following resolution entitled, A RESOLUTION IN THE MATTER OF OPPOSING THE USE OF GROUND WATER FROM THE PELICAN RAPIDS AREA TO SUPPLY WATER TO THE RED RIVER VALLEY DURING A SEVERE DROUGHT. (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 Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to authorize Mayor Runningen to send letter commenting on Draft Environmental Impact Statement Red River Valley Water Supply Management Project and urging that the alternative of drawing ground water supplies from the Otter Tail Outwash and Pelican River Sand-Plain Aquifers be dropped from further consideration. Motion passed unanimously. Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert reviewed the 03-31-06 financial reports. Ehlert also reviewed short term financing options. She said that a revenue bond issue appears to be the best solution for the water fund. Mayor Runningen spoke to Auditor Dan Rollie and he confirmed that a water revenue bond is the appropriate method to finance the water fund short fall, due primarily to the loss of Well No. 14. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to authorize Clerk-Treasurer Ehlert to request Northland Securities to structure a water revenue bond in the amount of $230,000 for water fund short fall with an alternate of an additional $82,800 for the water-sewer extension on Maplewood Dr. Motion passed unanimously. Council discussed wetlands and water retention areas in the City. The City Council will conduct a Board of Review on Wednesday, 04-19-06 in Council Chambers, City Hall from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Clerk-Treasurer