City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – 04-25-06 The City Council of the City of Pelican Rapids met in regular session at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, 04-25-06, Council Chambers, City Hall, 315 N. Broadway. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Ben Woessner, John E. Waller, III, and Richard Peterson were present. Council Member David Gottenborg was absent. Administrator Don Solga, Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Kelley Gorman of The Pelican Press, Tom Soberg, Rhoda Johnson, Dale Peterson, Jackie Peterson, Randy Fischer, Gary Nansen and John Olson of Ulteig Engineers were also present. Meeting called to order by Mayor Runningen. League of Minnesota Cities Conference and West Central Initiative Celebration were added to agenda. Pursuant to due call and published notice thereof, a public hearing was held to consider the improvement of Maplewood Drive between 10th Avenue Southwest and 530 feet easterly of the intersection by installation of water mains and sewer mains and service connections. Mayor Runningen reviewed the scope of the project to extend water and sewer on Maplewood Dr. He explained that the south side of Maplewood Dr. is platted. However, the property north of Maplewood Dr. is not platted. The City Council has discussed deferring assessments on the undeveloped lots. Property south of Maplewood Dr. is platted and there are plans for development. Property north of Maplewood Dr. is not platted. It is more economical to extend the water and sewer to serve the entire area. City Council is considering language in the resolution to defer the assessments until building commences. Mayor Runningen said the extension does not benefit property owned by Steve Strand. Property owned by Rhoda Johnson will not be benefited unless development occurs. Engineer Gary Nansen of Ulteig Engineers explained the deferment procedure. Typically the city would not charge interest until the property is developed by building on it. At that time the assessment and interest at the original rate would be triggered. Rhoda Johnson and Tom Soberg said they had no objection to the project if the assessments are deferred until building takes place. Nansen said it would be good to figure out how many service laterals would be needed to serve the property so they could be installed now. The property owner Rhoda Johnson said she has no plans for development at this time and would prefer not to put in the service laterals. Motion by Waller, seconded by Peterson to close the hearing. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Peterson to introduce the following resolution, entitled RESOLUTION ORDERING IMPROVEMENT AND PREPARATION OF PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 71. (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 Woessner to approve the Accounts Payable Listing of 04-25-06 as presented with the addition of a library bill to WF Credit Card for Government Manual in the amount of $52.00. Library bills were approved by Library Board Member Phil Huck. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga reviewed the Planning Commission’s discussion of the downtown revitalization study by Shultz and Associates. Administrator Don Solga reviewed the Park Board meeting. The playground equipment for Thompson Park was assembled yesterday. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to authorize changing the polling place to City Hall, 315 N. Broadway, by introducing the following resolution entitled, RESOLUTION TO CHANGE POLLING PLACE LOCATION. (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 Peterson to adopt a change to the City General Records Retention Schedule. The City of Pelican Rapids adopts the entire schedule except the e-mail portion. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga reported that in 2005, the City sent out 120 letters notifying property owners for abandoned cars and public nuisances. In the April newsletter and at city council meetings, property owners were advised that properties that were not cleaned up by 04-16-06 would be cited. At the present time 21 properties remain. Fourteen have not made any improvements. Seven have made improvements. Council agreed that a year is enough time and that citations are to be issued. Mayor Runningen commended Solga for the work he has done. Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert reported on-sale intoxicating liquor license fees in area communities range from $500, population of 846, to $2300, population of 2645. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to reduce the on-sale intoxicating liquor license to $1250 and $150 for Sunday. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Peterson to approve renewal of the following liquor licenses, subject to receipt of certificates of insurance or affidavits regarding sales and other items: Paul Alan Evenson for Bridges Bistro & Bar, Patricia Ann Dahl for the Muddy Moose for On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor and Sunday Liquor; Donna Marie Mattern of the VFW Gilmore Weik Post 5252 for Club On Sale and Sunday Liquor; Rick James Lorezel of Pelican BP, Patrick Serquina of Pelican Cash-N-Dash and Paul Alan Evenson of Southtown C Store for Off Sale Malt Liquor. Motion passed unanimously. Council decided to conduct a severe weather local workshop at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, 05-30-06. The Wellhead Protection Plan Public Hearing will be at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, 05-30- 06. Administrator Don Solga presented an update on the Western Association of Cities and Counties. League of Minnesota Cities Conference will be held in June in St. Cloud this year. West Central Initiative event will be 04-27-06 at the Jazzy Fox in Fergus Falls. Randy Fischer of the Ringdahl Ambulance Service in Pelican Rapids introduced himself and explained that they are working to provide service to the community. The goal is to have staff in house 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. May 14-20 is Emergency Medical Services Week. Fischer said the Ambulance Service would be pleased to participate in the severe weather exercise. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Clerk-Treasurer