City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – 07-25-06 The City Council of Pelican Rapids met in regular session on Tuesday, 07-25-06, at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, City Hall. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Richard Peterson, David Gottenborg, Ben Woessner and John E. Waller, III, were present. No one was absent. Administrator Don Solga, Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Police Chief Scott Fox, Joe Maske and Kelley Gorman of the Pelican Rapids Press were also present. Mayor Runningen called meeting to order. The following items were added to the Agenda: VFW Temporary Malt Liquor License, Certifications of Unpaid Utility Bills and the Fire Department. No items were deleted. Council discussed payment of accounts payable. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to approve payment of the 07-25-06 Accounts Payable Listing. Motion passed unanimously. Police Chief Scott Fox presented his report. Administrator Don Solga reported regarding the public nuisance ordinance citations. He said that those cited continue to move through the legal process in the court system. Administrator Don Solga reported on location of Birding Trail Sign. The Park Board approved locating the sign on the wider area of the deck beside Historic City Hall. Motion by Waller, seconded by Woessner to accept the Park Board’s recommendation to locate the Birding Trail sign on the deck beside Historic City Hall. Motion passed unanimously. The Park Board also recommended planting leaf bearing trees for color below the dam, north of the Pelican and east of the steps and to remove the spruce tree. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Woessner to accept the Park Board’s recommendation to plant trees at this location. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga reported on the Transportation Agreement between the City of Pelican Rapids and Productive Alternatives, Inc. This is a two year agreement for Productive Alternatives, Inc. to operate the bus. At the end of the Equipment’s useful life, as determined by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Productive Alternatives, Inc. will transfer the Equipment back to the City. Productive Alternatives, Inc. will apply for funding to purchase new equipment. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Gottenborg to approve the Transportation Agreement and authorize the mayor and administrator to sign the document. Motion passed unanimously. Joe Maske of the Pelican Rapids Hospital Board said that the Hospital Board was not in favor of providing a bus and driver for the Nutrition Program. Council Members discussed the council and mayor salaries. Area communities average about $190 per month for council salaries. The City council salaries are presently $125 per month and $15 per meeting. Motion by Woessner, seconded by Peterson to adjust council salaries to $150 per month and $20 per meeting, effective 01-01-07. Motion passed unanimously. Council Members discussed the mayor’s salary. It is currently $190 per month and $15 per meeting. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Gottenborg to set mayor’s salary at $215 per month and $20 per meeting, effective 01-01-07. Motion passed unanimously. Council was reminded that Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be 8-9-06, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Council tabled Demolition Building Permit Fee to 08-29-06 meeting. Administrator Don Solga has started the budget process. Motion by Waller, seconded by Woessner to appoint Council Members David Gottenborg and Richard Peterson to the Budget Committee. Motion passed unanimously. The preliminary budget needs to be submitted on 09-15-06 to the Otter Tail County Auditor’s Office. Administrator Don Solga explained the Girl Scouts’ request to use the bus on Friday, 07-29- 06. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Peterson to approve request. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Woessner to approve VFW’s request for a Temporary Malt Liquor License on 07-29-06. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Peterson to certify the following unpaid utility bills for collection with the real estate taxes by Otter Tail County: TIN 668-000 in the amount of $251.44 and TIN184-001 in the amount of $90.81. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga reviewed the proposal for the Fire Hall building alternative. Motion by Waller, seconded by Woessner to request proposals for firms to provide plans and specifications for a fire hall and to provide services to review the bid documents for compliance with plans and specifications. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Clerk-Treasurer