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Tuesday, April 11, 2006
The March meeting of the Waubun City Council was called to order at 6:15 PM by Acting Mayor Larry Swiers at Waubun Community Center, Waubun MN. Roll was called; Present were Tom Bement, Milo Winter, Leonard Wells, Jean Horack and Larry Swiers. No members were absent. Staff members present were Public Works Manager, Dan Murray; Paul Brehm, Fire and Police Chief and Germaine Riegert, City Clerk. Also in attendance was City Attorney, Elroy Hanson and a contingent of constituents. The sign in list is attached to the official copy of the minutes in the Minute Book File. The following items were added to the proposed agenda: Discussion on the Fire Contracts, the Dust Control Contract, Cleaning the Lift Station, posting the 1 Ton truck for sale on bids and the League Safety Workshop. Winter made a motion to approve the revisions to the agenda. Bement seconded it and the motion carried unanimously. Horack made a motion to accept the minutes of the February meeting, noting that the filing date for the Special Election was written in as April and not March. Wells seconded the motion to approve the revised minutes and the motion carried unanimously. The following monthly bills were reviewed: GENERAL FUND Midwest Bank 659.83 PERA 444.10 Pitney Bowes 50.00 PERA 143.85 MNCPERS Life Ins. 16.00 USPS 658.05 Ottertail 1510.95 Ahles Repair 139.23 Country Rose Floral 30.89 Peter Revier 175.00 LMCIT 2849.00 Pitney Bowes 191.63 Bement Oil Co. 588.45 ACS 186.42 Waubun Steel 30.32 Nereson Chevrolet 2765.71 Ulteig Engineers 2885.00 Mahnomen Co. Hwy. Dept. 471.68 Waubun Feed & Hardware 7.29 Auto Value 24.59 KRJM Radio 210.00 WATER & SEWER Chad Smith 200.00 MN Dept of Health 235.00 Dan Murray 508.07 Hawkins Water Treatment 78.17 Ottertail 505.05 Bement made a motion to pay all the bills. Winter seconded it and the motion carried unanimously. The clerk reported that the billings for Water and Sewer and a fire bill for $500 were the only statements sent since the last meeting. There were no receipts since the last meeting. OLD BUSINESS Health Inspector: Clerk was unable to find any information and will continue to research the matter. Motion by Winter and seconded by Wells to table the matter till the next meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Performance Reviews report: Mayor Swiers reported that a meeting had been held with each of the full and part time employees of the City. All of the interviews were satisfactory; no adverse findings were disclosed. Set Salaries for 2006: Mayor Swiers explained that no salary increases had been granted for 2006 to date because the performance reviews had not been done. They are done now but no information has been received on whether or not Daniel Murray passed the Waste Water Exam so it might be unfair to make a resolution for raises until that is finalized. Bement made a motion to table the matter to the April meeting. Wells seconded it and it passed unanimously. Tree Grant: The Clerk reported that the Scherzers will be in to complete the planting of the trees in the park and across the road as soon as the ground can be worked. It has to be completed by May 15 but they have assured her that it will be done. Audit Update: The Clerk reported that the audit firm of Eidebailly called and said that the person who was going to perform the work for us had taken a new position and they did not have enough staff to add our project this year. They did assure her that they will put us on their list for 2006. Centennial Update: The clerk reported that she had met with the Centennial Committee and told them that the City would contribute $1,000 for 2006. They were most appreciative and will pay the City of Waubun for all costs incurred over this amount. The Clerk agreed to this because the City already has the contacts set up for the envelopes, invitations and brochures. Other: The tree by Opal Voit’s property has been removed and disposed of. The 1 Ton truck has been cleaned up and is on display at the City Building. Because the advertising was not put in the paper, it was decided to extend the deadline for the sale until the next Council meeting. The Clerk will prepare bid forms which can be picked up at her office or from Dan and it will be published in the Mahnomen Pioneer also. NEW BUSINESS: Fire Contracts: Several members of the Township Boards appeared before the Council to discuss the renewal of the Fire Contracts. Les Bly acted as spokesperson for the group. He had a copy of a letter dated February 22, 2002, in which the Council and Townships agreed to pay monies into the Special Equipment Fund to assist in getting new furnishings and equipment for the Fire Department. The term of this special payment of $1,400 per Township was to be 4 years which would have made it expire on July 1, 2004. Payments were made by all of the Townships for 2005. He said that the Townships were not looking for a refund and would be willing to continue paying into this fund if it would be segregated for general operating funds in the City’s records. The Township people appreciate the work done by the Fire Department The Townships would also like some say in what the monies are used for and suggested that an advisory committee be set up to help make decisions. Horack made a motion to accept the Township proposal. Bement seconded it and the motion passed unanimously. The Advisory Committee was set up initially as Tom Bement, Paul Brehm, Les Bly, Tom Wolbeck and Victor Eiynck. Winter made a motion to accept this Committee. Wells seconded it and the motion carried unanimously. Horack made a motion to appoint Paul Brehm as Waubun Fire Chief for a period of three years, effective immediately. Bement seconded it. Motion was approved on a vote of 3 ayes, 1 nay and 1 silent. Spring Cleanup: After a lengthy discussion of whether or not to set up dumpsters for refuse, etc. it was decided that because of the abuses of what could be disposed of and the inability to having someone on duty to police people bringing stuff in, the City would have a curbside pick up yard waste and other allowable refuse. The Clean Up will be held on May 4 and 5. Jean Horack will be in charge of the project for the Council. Winter made a motion to proceed as outlined. Bement seconded it and the motion carried unanimously Dust Control: Mahnomen County has again sent copies of a Technical Assistance Contract to apply dust repellent and control to the gravel streets. It was noted that the streets need to be graded and the holes filled before this gets done, if we agree to do it. After some discussion, Winter made a motion to have the work done. Horack seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Safety Workshop: Wells presented information about an upcoming League of MN Cities Safety and Loss Control Workshop to be held in late March in either Crookston or Thief River Falls. No one volunteered to attend so Wells will send the appropriate notice back to the LMNC. Annual Report/Insurance: The Clerk reported that it will be completed by March 15 and will be reviewed with the insurance agent. Questions surfaced about insurance for WAMO days, etc. The Clerk agreed to ask for more information when she spoke to the agent. She will contact WAMO when she has information to give. STAFF REPORTS Paul Brehm reported that there were no billable calls. A grant has been applied for new radio equipment and would require a match from the City of $5,506.77. He will be us informed of the status of this grant. He reported that Waubun was awarded the Outstanding Project Award and he was honored to be asked to receive it. He reported that two hydrants need repair—the one by Ron Spaeth and by Zluticky’s. He also reported that Leonard Steichen has been given a physicians release to return to full duty at the School and wants to be reinstated in the Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Wells asked if Paul had gotten a release for Len to be approved as a fire fighter. He feels that it is important to do this as a sharp blow to the head could cause other issues that would result in a workers compensation claim. Mr. Brehm agreed to talk to Mr. Steichen. Daniel Murray reported that he felt confident that he had passed the Waste Water Exam but would not know for two-three weeks. He reported that the lift station in the Park has been giving many problems. It needs to cleaned out as it is full of debris and muck. The Council authorized him to pursue getting it cleaned before it gave up completely. Germaine Riegert reported that she had sent stern reminders for people to either make arrangements for payment of water and sewer bills by March 20 or be subject to shut off. Some payments have come in already so hopefully more will do so before the next cycle. No further business was brought up. Winter made a motion to adjourn at 8:30 PM. Bement seconded it and the motion carried unanimously. _____________________________ ____________________________ Mayor Clerk |
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