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Tuesday, April 10, 2007
CITY OF WAUBUN REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, March 12, 2007 6 PM WAUBUN Fire Hall Mayor Eck called the fact finding portion of the meeting to order at 6:00 PM at the Fire Hall because there was a previously scheduled activity at the Community Center. Roll call: Milo Winter, Thomas Bement, Eugene Moore and William Eck. Jean Horack was absent. Staff members present were City Clerk Germaine Riegert, Brett Brehm City Maintenance and Paul Brehm, Police and Fire. Guest present was John Meisinger, CPA from Mahnomen. Mayor Eck changed the order of the meeting to allow Mr. Meisinger to address the subject of a City audit. He explained that audits, especially where Federal grants make up part of the revenue are comprehensive and expensive. After looking at the records he felt that no one would undertake such an audit for $15,000 or less. He suggested that the audit be put on hold until 2008 and that a special levy be requested to cover it. The Council thanked him for his input and agreed to discuss the matter during the decision making part of the meeting. Brett Brehm reported on his activities since the last meeting. He wondered what had happened to the quote from Morrison Electric for wiring at the Bement Building and was told that it was tabled until our financial condition improved. He reported that Well#1 needed to be dug up and the spool on the pit less replaced. This was discovered when Olson Well Drilling checked out the well. He had quotes from LTP Well Drillers and Olson Well Drilling. This matter was added to the action agenda. The tractor chains are costing $450. The cab on the plow truck is still getting exhaust fumes and Stangle’s will be putting 4’ of pipe on the exhaust system to bring the truck into running order so he can go to take his license test. The small pick up has been in to have the plow hook up strengthened as the plow was too heavy for the frame. It will be ready just in case of more snow. He also discussed the need for a new portable Colorimeter because the one he has doesn’t do enough tests. Pete Smith had been looking for one for White Earth, also and can get the government rate. Price should be about $800 that way instead of about a $1,000 if we purchase on the open market. This matter was added to the regular agenda. He stated that Ogema would be interested in purchasing our old machine as they have to do some water tests also. He was instructed to get the banners removed as soon as possible. The ladder that fits into the tractor bucket needs repair and that is why is had not been done. One of the Councilors told him to talk to Max Voss or Bill Gomall because this could be done without the ladder. The League of MN Insurance Trust will be sending a reimbursement for costs of the water tower freeze up as soon as all costs have been submitted, also. Chris Thorsen of Ulteig Engineers brought a copy of the projects that are currently in process. The Texas Crossing across the Wells property is ready to let. Estimated cost is $35,000. He reported that he had talked to the Well’s and they are willing to allow the easement for a price of $101. Since it is under the bidding threshold it can be let out on quotes and maybe done less expensively. He reported that he had talked to the Well’s and they are willing to allow the easement for a price of $101. The item will be added to the action agenda. The plat plan for the Lhotka Development is nearing completion. He was asked why the City was billed for the engineering costs of it as it was mutually agreed that preliminary costs were to be paid by the land owner. He replied that what we are billed for is the field survey which will be recouped by the special assessments. Costs from this point until installation of the infrastructure will be billed to the land owner. It was noted that the one house already built has temporary water and sewer and should be billed for services from December. The Clerk was instructed to add it to the water and sewer list. Mayor Eck questioned why the engineering costs on the Highway 113 project were so high. Mr. Thorsen will do a review and the Clerk will read back minutes if there is more specific information before the next meeting. Township Fire Contracts were discussed. They are exactly like those of last year so it is up to the townships to ratify them or provide feedback to the Council. The ratification was placed on the action agenda. The business portion of the meeting was convened at 6:30 PM by Mayor Eck. Members present were: Mayor William D. Eck, Councilors Milo Winter, Thomas Bement, and Eugene Moore. Jean Horack was absent. Staff present: Germaine Riegert, Paul Brehm and Brett Brehm. Guests and delegations: None The following items were added to the agenda Well drilling quotes PH meter Wells’ Easement A motion was made by Winter and seconded by Bement to approve the revised agenda. It carried unanimously. A motion was made by Moore and seconded by Bement to approve the minutes of the February as mailed. It carried unanimously, The following bills were reviewed: GENERAL FUND: ACS 192.29 One Call Concepts 8.70 William Eck 273.00 Home Town Food Market 54.22 Ronald Hendrickson 120.00 Pitney Bowes 187.15 EZ One Stop 180.28 Mahnomen Parts 154.39 FU Oil Co. 60.00 City of Mahnomen 350.35 Bement Oil Co. 505.04 Tweeton Refrigeration 532.40 Ottertail Power Co. 1,415.59 Paul Ahles 988.27 Jesse Lindsay 380.00 Net March Payroll 4,152.07 Midwest Bank 1,077.29 PERA 614.64 LTP Well Drilling Hold WATER & SEWER FUND: MPCA 270.00 Ottertail Power Co. 674.74 MN Dept of Health 287.00 Chad Smith 450.00 Paul Brehm 148.46 Waubun Steel 781.12 Green’s Plumbing 1,200.00 Motion was made by Bement and seconded by Moore to pay all bills presented with the exception of the LTP Well Drilling which is to be sent back for complete itemization. The motion carried unanimously. Billings sent for the month of March were the water and sewer statements. The following monies were received since the last meeting: Interest $463.05 CD 22239 cashed $20,000.00 OLD BUSINESS Audit: A review of the comments from Mr. Meisinger led to a motion from Bement which was seconded by Winter to table the matter of an audit until 2008 when the cost of it will be added to the tax levy. Motion carried unanimously. Water & Sewer: The Council reviewed the quotes presented by Olson Well Drillers and LTP Well Drilling. After some discussion Moore made a motion to have Olson Well Drillers dig and put in the new pump, etc. on Well #1, Winter seconded it and the motion carried unanimously. The Portable Colorimeter information was reviewed. This would be a good meter for our system as it includes iron testing. Motion was made by Moore and seconded by Bement to approve the purchase of a new machine. Motion carried unanimously. Staff was instructed to negotiate a government price or work with Chad Smith to get the lowest possible price. Clerk Riegert presented a work up of a budget for 2007 for the Water and Sewer Division. It is apparent that water and sewer rates will need to be increased in order to meet the costs of the water revenue bonds and that the meters must be installed in the residences and businesses before action can be started. The matter will be tabled until after the next City Planning meeting at a date yet to be decided. Wells’ Easement: Bement made a motion to accept the offer of $101 for the easement. Winter seconded it. The motion carried by a vote of 3 for and 1 against. The Texas Crossing which would go through this area was reviewed. Since it is less that the amount which must be bid out, the discussion centered on offering plans to local contractors and having them give quotes which would be acted on in May or June. Fire Contracts: Discussion of the terms of the Township Fire Contracts followed. Winter made a motion to leave them as they are for 2007. Bement seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Park Grant: The grant application was updated and has been sent to Count Commissioner Karen Ahmann (courtesy) and Auditor Frank Thompson for April review by the Mahnomen County Board of Commissioners. NEW BUSINESS: Dust Control Contract: Mahnomen County Department of Transportation has sent out the offer for the street Dust Control Contract. Cost should be approximately $2,800.00. Commenting that the service was worth it Winter made a motion to accept the proposed contract. Moore seconded it and the motion carried unanimously. LMNC Safety and Loss Control Workshop: The brochure for the workshop to be held in Mahnomen on March 28 was reviewed. Peter Revier has requested that he be allowed to attend as our Zoning Officer and the Clerk felt it might be worthwhile for her also. Bement made a motion to pay for sending Revier and Riegert to the workshop. Moore seconded it and it carried unanimously. LMC Appraisal Report: The report was reviewed by the members present. Bement made a motion to accept it. Moore seconded it and it passed unanimously. OTHER Discussion about the status of the White Earth Community Council for the Waubun area followed. It would be wonderful to get them involved in the planning for the Centennial as the Native Americans were instrumental in getting the Village started. Clerk Riegert will contact local leaders to get something going again. No further business was presented. Bement made a motion to adjourn at 7:55 PM. Moore seconded it and it carried unanimously. ______________________________- ______________________________ Mayor Clerk |
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