City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES-06-27-06 The City Council of Pelican Rapids met in regular session on Tuesday, 06-27-06, at 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Ben Woessner, Richard Peterson, John E. Waller, III, and David Gottenborg were present. No one was absent. Administrator Don Solga, Clerk- Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Police Chief Scott Fox, Kelley Gorman of the Pelican Rapids Press, Jaycees Derek Satter and Brandon Tweeton, Fire Chief Trevor Steeves and Fireman Alan Martinson were also present. Mayor Runningen called the meeting to order. The following items were added to the agenda: Chamber of Commerce Turkey Races on West Mill Ave; Jaycees Beer Garden and Phosphorous Study. The Public Transit Service Agreement was deleted. Brandon Tweeton and Derek Satter of the Pelican Rapids Jaycees were present to request a Temporary Malt Liquor License for a Beer Garden from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., on July 14th. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to approve a Temporary Malt Liquor License to conduct a Beer Garden on Friday, 07-14-06, from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., with following regulations: The Beer Garden will be located on a portion of West Mill Ave., will be double fenced and will be restricted to people 21 years of age and older. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Peterson to approve the Accounts Payable Listing of 06-27-06 with the following addition: Ulteig Engineers, Improvement Project No. 71 Engineering in the amount of $7481.44. Motion passed unanimously. Police Chief Scott Fox discussed his report for the Police Department. He recommended reducing the speed limit from 30 mph to 20 mph on 3rd Ave. NE from Broadway east. He also recommended a reduction on 5th St. SE from 2nd Ave. SE to 8th Ave. SE from 30 mph to 20 mph. Council discussed reducing the speed limit to 20 mph throughout the City. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Woessner to reduce the speed limit from 30 mph to 20 mph on 3rd Ave. NE and 5th St. SE. Motion passed unanimously. Chief Fox reviewed a request by Police Officer Curt Markgraf for an unpaid leave of absence for 180 days to explore employment possibilities with another agency. City Council discussed the request. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to deny Curt Markgraf’s request for an unpaid leave of absence. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga reviewed the Park Board Report. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to authorize the Park Board to place an informational kiosk by Pelican Pete. Motion passed unanimously. The Park Board recommends a name change from River Park to Veterans’ Memorial River Park. Motion by Woessner, seconded by Waller to accept the Park Board’s recommendation to rename the River Park as Veterans’ Memorial River Park. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga reviewed the Park Board’s ideas to plant trees around the Mill Pond Dam. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources previously conducted a study and recommended that trees not be planted in the embankment. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Woessner to deny the Park Board’s recommendation to plant trees in the Mill Pond Dam area. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Solga reviewed possible Birding Trail kiosk locations reviewed by the Park Board. Mayor Runningen said people enjoyed the Rotary Suspension Bridge kiosk during the events for International Friendship Festival. Administrator Don Solga reviewed one idea for providing additional parking in the downtown as part of economic development plans. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to approve the following resolution, entitled, JOINT RESOLUTION BETWEEN OTTER TAIL COUNTY AND THE CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS FOR PELICAN RAPIDS RIVER PARK AND RESTORATION -2010 TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROJECT. (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. City Council discussed orderly annexation of property located at 40981 Hwy 59 South. The City of Pelican Rapids has contacted Pelican Township regarding this property and both entities agree that in this specific instance, it does make sense for the property to become part of the City. The next step is approval of a Joint Resolution for Orderly Annexation. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Woessner to introduce the following written resolution, entitled, JOINT RESOLUTION FOR ORDERLY ANNEXATION – IN THE MATTER OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PELICAN AND THE CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS, MINNESOTA, DESIGNATING AN UNINCORPORATED AREA AS IN NEED OF ORDERLY ANNEXATION AND CONFERRING JURISDICTION OVER SAID AREA TO THE MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS UNIT OF THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS PURSUANT TO M.S. 414.0325. (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. Council discussed an application for a Charitable Gambling License. Motion by Waller, seconded by Peterson to approve the application of the Minnesota Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society to conduct a charitable gambling operation at the Bridges Bistro & Bar. Mayor Runningen, Council Members Woessner, Peterson and Waller voted yes. Council Member Gottenborg voted no. Motion carried and license was approved. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to approve closing West Mill Ave. on Friday, 07-14-06, in the afternoon to allow the Chamber of Commerce to conduct Turkey Races. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga discussed the meetings regarding the City’s alternatives to meet phosphorous requirements as part of the wastewater treatment facility license. Meetings have included West Central Turkeys, Inc. Both the City and West Central Turkeys, Inc. have agreed to reducing the phosphorous by a capital outlay program of $3 million for a plant modification. West Central Turkeys, Inc. is responsible for 92% of the phosphorous at the wastewater treatment facility. Solga said odor control at the lagoon will be addressed by this alternative. Motion by Woessner, seconded by Gottenborg to authorize Pat Reisnour of Interstate Engineering and Dr. David Rein to proceed with submitting Wastewater Treatment Facility Option 3. Motion passed unanimously. Library Director Pam Westby addressed the City Council regarding her resignation and an action plan for filling the library director position. Mayor Runningen thanked Pam for her efforts to make the library what it is. “I regret to see you go, but understand your desires to move on. We thank you for all you have done for the community,” he continued. Fire Chief Trevor Steeves discussed a Pelican Lake Association meeting he attended last week to request that the trees be trimmed to permit the fire trucks to access the properties. After this discussion, the Pelican Lake Association asked him to stay and discuss the proposed fire hall. Steeves reviewed various items relating to the need for a new fire hall for the cities and townships. Council Member Woessner left meeting at 6:10 p.m. Council continued discussion of location, architectural and financing options for the proposed fire hall. Mayor Runningen asked Fire Chief Steeves where the proposed building is at now and what the next steps are to continue the process. Fire Chief Steeves said he would like to have the architect meet with the building committee and check the proposed site. After the architect’s review, Steeves would like the City to look at drawing plans and specs. Council Members considered various architectural and financial matters. Council agreed that to continue the process, they need to request a proposal from the architectural firm for the next stage, developing plans and specs. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to request the architectural firm of Baker, Hogan, Hough to submit a proposal for architectural costs for plans and specs for construction of a new fire hall. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Clerk-Treasurer