City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES-09-25-07 The City of Pelican Rapids City Council met in regular session at 4:30 p.m., on Tuesday, 09-25- 07, in Council Chambers, City Hall. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Ben Woessner, Richard Peterson, David Gottenborg and John E. Waller, III, were present. No one was absent. Administrator Don Solga, Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Police Chief Scott Fox, Library Director Annie Wrigg, Florencio and Nellie Barragon were also present. Mayor Runningen called meeting to order. Items added to the agenda include: 9. Florencio Barragon Property and 10. Police Personnel. No items were deleted. Administrator Don Solga reviewed the Florencio Barragon property at 40981 Hwy 59 South annexed into the City of Pelican Rapids. Florencio Barragon explained that since he doesn’t meet the City’s requirements for residential property, he asked that the property be left in Pelican Township. He requested to be returned to Pelican Township. Mayor Runningen said that one of the reasons the City annexed the property was due to the way it looked with the unfinished building project and items in the yard. He said the City receives many complaints about property and the only way the City can address these items is if the property is in the City limits. Barragon said that he wasn’t able to finish the construction that he started in 2003 due to lack of money and time. He has purchased the materials now and he would like to complete a second house on the property. Administrator Solga said there are a couple of proposals he has discussed with Barragon that might allow him to complete construction on the second residential occupancy. One would be to request a variance to split the lot if he is able to meet variance requirements. Another possibility is to complete the building for use as a storage building or detached garage. This would be a permitted use in the commercial zone. Barragons said they would like to return the property to the township and they would clean up the property so it would look nice. The house is connected to the main house’s well and septic system. It was previously a guest house on the property. Council Member Gottenborg said he would be opposed to returning the property to Pelican Township. Gottenborg would like to see a time-line for completion of the project. Council Member Peterson said he thinks the City needs to permit Barragon to complete the house because he started it before the property was annexed. Barragon said he could complete the building within a year. Mayor Runningen asked if he could side the house and make the outside look better yet this fall. Barragon asked when he completes the house may he use it as planned as a residence? Council Members Gottenborg and Peterson agreed depending on Barragon’s time line to complete the project. Administrator Don Solga recommended that Barragon obtain a City building permit and complete the house under that process. “The windows and siding that he wants to put on would be needed for a storage building so he can get a building permit and work on it now,” said Administrator Don Solga. “If the gentlemen is willing to do what he started to do and clean it up, then let’s move on,” said Council Member Peterson. Council Member Gottenborg and Mayor Runningen requested that Barragon provide a time line as to when different parts of the project will be completed and the Council will reconsider at their meeting on 10-08-07. Police Chief Scott Fox and Administrator Don Solga met recently to consider the police personnel requirements with the retirement of Police Officer Scott Wellnitz in November, 2007. Administrator Solga recommended that the Council authorize starting the search for a fifth full time police officer to be filled upon Wellnitz’s retirement. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to authorize Police Chief Scott Fox to begin the search for a fifth full time police officer. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator Don Solga reviewed changes to the Animal Control Ordinance. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Gottenborg to introduce the following ordinance, No. 07-04, entitled AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CITY CODE SECTIONS 503.01-503.04, RELATING TO ANIMAL CONTROL. (A complete text of this ordinance is part of permanent record in the city clerk’s office.) Motion passed unanimously. The ordinance will be in full force and effect upon publication. Motion by Waller, seconded by Peterson to approve the 09-25-07 City Accounts Payable Listing with the addition of the Small Cities Development Program Expenses and the correction of Daniel Rollie’s bill to $6,000 for balance due on 2006 Audit. Motion includes the August Library Bill Listing as approved by the Library Board. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Woessner, seconded by Waller to introduce the following ordinance, No. 07-05, entitled AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE DISCHARGE OF STORM WATER, GROUND WATER AND SURFACE WATER INTO SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM, CITY CODE SECTION 403.051. (A complete text of this ordinance is part of permanent public record in the city clerk's office.) Motion passed unanimously. The ordinance will be in full force and effect upon publication. Administrator Don Solga reviewed the Otter Tail County Mutual Aid Agreement. Council Member and former Fire Chief Richard Peterson said that the agreement simply put the prior practices into writing. Motion by Waller, seconded by Peterson to approve the Mutual Aid Agreement with the Otter Tail County and to introduce the following written resolution, entitled RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING MUTUAL AID FIRE AGREEMENTS. (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 Peterson, seconded by Waller to approve certification to Otter Tail County for collection with real estate taxes of an unpaid utility bill in the amount of $156.69 for TIN 668- 000. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to introduce the following written resolution, entitled MINNESOTA PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY APPLICATION DRINKING WATER REVOLVING FUND RESOLUTION OF APPLICATION. (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 Gottenborg to introduce the following written resolution, entitled MINNESOTA PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY APPLICATION WATER POLLUTION CONTROL REVOLVING FUND RESOLUTION OF APPLICATION. (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 adjourn the City Council meeting at 5:40 p.m. for the Economic Development Authority meeting. Motion passed unanimously. Council reconvened at 5:56 p.m. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to authorize the Economic Development Authority’s actions to approve the Accounts Payable Listing of 09-25-07, to approve the minutes of 08-28-07 as presented, to accept quotes in the amount of $16,200 for Fire Hall electrical work from Dillon’s Electric, $8,270 for Fire Hall plumbing work from Marty Hanson and $7,900 from Dillon’s Electric for Fire Hall heating and to approve Payment Request No. 5 for Fire Hall Construction project to R.A. Bristlin & Son, Inc., in the amount of $72,000, subject to written certification by Engineer Ronald Dick. Motion passed unanimously. Council Members were reminded that the League of Minnesota Cities regional meeting will be tomorrow, 09-26-07, at the Holiday Inn in Detroit Lakes. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Clerk-Treasurer