City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES-09-11-06 The City Council of the City of Pelican Rapids met in regular session at 5:30 p.m., Monday, 09-11-06, in Council Chambers, City Hall. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Ben Woessner, David Gottenborg, Richard Peterson and John E. Waller, III, were present. No one was absent. Administrator Don Solga, Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Police Chief Scott Fox, Utilities Superintendent Brent E. Frazier, Street and Park Superintendent Brian Olson, Pat Reisnour of Interstate Engineering, Inc., Steve Zimmerman, Julie Meyer and Kelley Gorman of the Pelican Rapids Press, Sharon Mondt, Tami Skinner with Youth Crew Members Becky Benhardis and Susana Serrano were also present. Mayor Runningen called meeting to order. Leaf Days was added to the agenda. Council reviewed the 08-14-06 and 08-29-06 minutes of the City Council meeting. Motion by Waller, seconded by Peterson to approve the minutes of 08-14-06 as presented and the minutes of 08-29-06 with clarification to proposed Fire Hall discussion and the following correction: Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to authorize ordering a new police car at the state bid price for delivery in 2007. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Woessner to approve payment of the Accounts Payable Listing of 09-11-06, including the library bills of 09-05-06 approved by Library Board President Mary Sorum. Motion passed unanimously. Police Chief Scott Fox gave his report. He also reported on organization for the extra groups in town for the funeral on Saturday. Mayor Runningen thanked the police department, other departments and the community for the work on Staff Sgt. Joshua Hanson’s funeral on Saturday, 09-09-06. Everything was well organized. Council discussed reduction of speed limit on city streets. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Peterson to set speed limit at 25 miles per hour on all city streets except the two, Old Fergus Road and 10th Ave. SW. These roads are already signed for 20 miles per hour. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga reviewed the development of the Animal Control Ordinance which includes cats as well as dogs. Police Chief Scott Fox reviewed plans for communicating the provisions to the public. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to introduce the following resolution to adopt amendments to the Animal Control Ordinance. Motion passed unanimously. A complete text of this ordinance is on file in the city clerk’s office and will be in effect upon publication Utilities Superintendent Brent E. Frazier reported on the water and sewer departments. Engineer Pat Reisnour of Interstate Engineering, Inc., presented a report on the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements for Phosphorous Management in Pelican Rapids. The National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for the facility requires that phosphorous concentrations in the discharge by limited to 1 mg/1. The probable cost of the improvements is estimated at $3.25 million. Mayor Runningen said that Pat Reisnour will provide more information at the next council meeting for council’s consideration regarding entering into a contract for the project. Administrator Don Solga discussed the Public Facility Authority for Drinking Water Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan. This project is to replace the controls at the water plant because of their age. The City has a contract with Interstate Engineering, Inc., for this project. Water and Sewer Infrastructure was another project the City has applied for funding. This project will be postponed at this time. Street and Park Superintendent Brian Olson presented his report on the street and park departments. Steve Zimmerman and Julie Meyer discussed a project to place pelican statues in front of businesses as a tourism project. Detroit Lakes recently completed a project to place colorful sunfish in front of businesses. The pelicans would be out from spring to fall. They requested suggestions from the City Council and various ideas were discussed. City Administrator Don Solga will be the contact person. Mayor Runningen said it sounds like a neat idea. Tami Skinner said young people were involved in developing the community vision and in surveying the students last year about ways to be involved in the community. She introduced Youth Crew members Becky Benhardis and Susana Serrano. Youth crew participated in a youth dance, made gingerbread houses at the holidays with younger kids, held used book sales, worked with global volunteers in the past year. Their short term goal in the past year and this year has been to volunteer in the community. Their long term goal is to have a youth center in the community. They have provided youth members on the park board. Administrator Don Solga said a small area of contamination has been identified in the area near the Public Works Facility and has been reported to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. He reviewed two quotes he received for investigating the area. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Gottenborg to accept the quote from Terracon in the amount of $9,707 and authorize them to investigate the area of contamination and file necessary report on behalf of the City of Pelican Rapids. Motion passed unanimously. City Auditor Dan Rollie was present to discuss the 2005 Audit Report. Council reviewed the Liquor Store Report. Liquor Store Manager Bob Leslie was not present. Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert presented the 08-31-06 financial reports. Administrator Don Solga, Council Members Dave Gottenborg and Richard Peterson served on the 2007 Budget Committee. Council discussed the proposed budget. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to approve the Proposed 2007 Budget in the amount of $1,326,303.52 and certify the proposed general fund levy in the amount of $550,552.52 and special levy in the amount of $95,507. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Woessner to certify the following unpaid utility bills to Otter Tail County Auditor for collection with real estate taxes: PIN 538001-$246.04, PIN 453000-$225.13, PIN 41000-$144.79, and PIN 481000-$161.91. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to approve the use of a city pick up at Leaf Days. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Clerk-Treasurer