City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES-10-31-06 The City of Pelican Rapids City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, 10-31-06, at 4:30 p.m., in Council Chambers, City Hall, 315 N. Broadway. 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, Library Director Annie Wrigg, City Attorney Greg Larson, Gene Miller, Pat Reisnour of Interstate Engineering, Inc., Julie Meyer and Kelley Gorman of the Pelican Rapids Press were also present. Mayor Runningen called meeting to order. Administrator Don Solga explained that part time Police Officer Ted Leabo has resigned from the police department. Motion by Woessner, seconded by Gottenborg to accept the resignation of part time police officer Ted Leabo. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Woessner to authorize Police Chief Scott Fox to hire a part time police officer. Motion passed unanimously. Pat Reisnour of Interstate Engineering, Inc., reviewed the Waste Water Treatment Facility Plan Phosphorous Control and requested a public hearing be set for 11-28-06. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Peterson to set a public hearing on 11-28-06, at 5:00 p.m. to consider Waste Water Treatment Facility Plan Phosphorous Control. Motion passed unanimously. Reisnour discussed the amendment to Consulting Services Agreement concerning the Detail Design for Phase II in a not to exceed amount of $247,000. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to authorize Pat Reisnour of Interstate Engineering, Inc. to begin design by authorizing City Administrator Don Solga to sign the Amendment To Consulting Services Agreement. Motion passed unanimously. Council Members and Reisnour discussed location of an access road to the Waste Water Facilities Plan. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller not to place the access street on 2nd St. SW for the Waste Water Facilities Plan. Motion passed unanimously. City Attorney Greg Larson reviewed agreements regarding the land donation between the City of Pelican Rapids and John and Ida Larsen and the land purchase between the Pelican Rapids Economic Development Authority and Kerry Ell and Roger and LouAnn Schleske. Council Members discussed size of lots in relation to the Fire Hall building. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to accept the agreement regarding the land donation between the City of Pelican Rapids and John and Ida Larsen and authorize the City Attorney to proceed with this agreement. Motion passed unanimously. The Economic Development Authority will meet immediately following the City Council meeting to consider the Ell and Schleske agreements. Administrator Don Solga and Julie Meyer of the Pelican Project explained the project to provide Pelicans in Pelican Rapids. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Gottenborg to participate in the Pelican Project and allocate $1200 for a City of Pelican Rapids Pelican. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga said that Gene Miller approached the City with some proposals regarding economic development. His rate would be $65 per hour. As Gene Miller would propose ideas to city administration and then Administrator Solga would bring that idea forward for Council’s discussion. Administrator Solga said this would be one avenue to have someone looking out for Pelican Rapids and bringing ideas to the City to move forward. Council Members said they want to review the proposal and consider it at the next City Council meeting on 11-13-06. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to approve payment of the 10-31-06 Accounts Payable Listing as presented. Motion includes payment of the library utility bills approved by Library Board President Mary Sorum. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga reviewed Lyle Nesvold’s request to be released as Rental Housing Inspector and his obligations to complete several building inspections he started while he was Building Inspector. No action was taken on Nesvold’s request. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to pursue a proposal from Dave Neisen for Rental Housing Inspector. Motion passed unanimously. At the Otter Tail County Commissioners Off-Sale Hearing, County Commissioners denied the Off-Sale license request based on objections from various cities and a concern of setting a precedent. Council Member Gottenborg left meeting at 6:15 p.m. Administrator Don Solga reviewed the application submitted on behalf of the City of Pelican Rapids by the Otter Tail County HRA for a Small Cities Development Program Grant Pre- application. Administrator Don Solga reviewed a plan to install an additional storm water catch basin on or near the service road at Southtown. A suggestion is to install the catch basin on private property, ten to fifteen feet from the CitGo sign. The City needs to obtain an easement agreement. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to authorize the City Attorney draw up an easement to permit construction of a catch basin on private property between the City of Pelican Rapids and Southtown. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga prepared a sublease for the bus garage for Transit Alternatives. Motion by Waller, seconded by Woessner to approve the garage sublease and authorize Administer Don Solga’s signature for the sublease of the bus garage to Transit Alternatives. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga presented a report on park board activities. The Park Board would like to apply for a grant sponsored by Hamburger Helper to provide new hockey boards. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to authorize city staff to prepare the grant and submit to Hamburger Helper for new hockey boards. Motion passed unanimously. The Park Department proposed 2007 budget includes funds for a sprinkler system. The Park Board requested that a sprinkler system be installed for park property in Peterson Park. The Park Board would also like authorization to decorate Historic City Hall with garland and lights for the holidays. Council agreed that the Park Board may decorate Historic City Hall with garland and lights; however, they noted that no city funding was available. Administrator Don Solga said property owners have requested a street light on Maplewood Dr. Council tabled request. Motion by Waller, seconded by Peterson to adjourn the City Council Meeting at 6:40 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Clerk-Treasurer