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Sunday, May 14, 2006
The Regular meeting of the Waubun City Council for April 2006 was held on Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at 6:15 PM following the Board of Equalization meeting. It was held at the Waubun Community Center. Acting Mayor Larry Swiers called roll: Members present were, Milo Winter, Jean Horack, Tom Bement and Larry Swiers. Leonard Wells was absent. Staff members present were: Dan Murray, Paul Brehm and Germaine Riegert There were several community members present as well as the following people who requested time to address the Council: James Thompson, Leon Stalberger and the owner of Moore’s Septic Pumping LLC. The following items were added to the agenda: Truck bid Johnson property line Advertising package from KRJM Upkeep of the ball park Keys Winter made a motion to approve the revised agenda. Bement seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Winter made a motion to approve the minutes of the March meeting as sent out. Horack seconded it and the motion carried unanimously. The monthly bills were reviewed. The assessor billing was added to the worksheet as presented. General Fund Mahnomen County Assessor 1090.00 Waubun Implement 90.77 Mahnomen County Treasurer 87.50 Wambach & Hanson 431.70 KRJM 3.15 Mahnomen Pioneer 34.00 Reliable Office Supplies 154.67 Auto Value 27.89 Busse Welding 120.00 Daniel Murray 48.07 Morrison Electric 81.67 Country Rose Floral 40.47 Ulteig Engineers 455.00 Gopher State One Call 5.80 ACS 184.76 Ottertail 2082.20 Mahnomen County Treasurer 3281.00 Lois Wells 5500.00 Water and Sewer Fund USPS 442.05 Electro Watchman 70.29 White Earth Public Works 65.00 Terry Connor 23.00 ND Sewage Pump Lift Station Serv. 4138.61 Bement made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Horack seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The Clerk reported that the only statements sent since the last meeting was the water and sewer billing. Receipts from the last meeting were: Payment on mortgage loan – Judy Shaide $800.00 Interest on investment – 20374 119.02 Filing fees 6.00 Donation - Simonson 20.00 Acting Mayor Swiers acknowledged the delegations and asked them to bring their concerns forward. 1. Mr. Greggerson, the owner of Moore’s Septic Pumping asked for permission to dump in the sewage lagoons during the time he is unable to dump on the fields. Dan reminded the Council that there was a motion passed last year to not allow such dumping as it can and may cause harm to our disposal facilities—a tank of raw sewage is equivalent to dumping the waste of 500 people directly into the system and is like toxic waste. After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to stand by the current policy. Mr. Greggeson was very disappointed and asked that he be sent a letter of explanation for his files. The Clerk was directed to do this. 2. Leon Stalberger said he has had a request for a vendor from Brainerd to sell toys during the parade. The Council directed the Clerk to contact Attorney Hanson to see what the problem would be with allowing him to do so. (Peddler, liability, etc.) • WAMO is purchasing new plastic tables for the Community Center and will be getting a truck to store chairs, also. He stated that the tables were not to be allowed out of the building. If people need tables, they can use the old, heavier ones provided they put a deposit on them before taking them out. The Council thanked WAMO for their care and generosity. • He also said that Herb Ahles is no longer to assist with the upkeep of the softball fields. He requested that the Council find out if there is an age limit for having teenagers do the mowing, upkeep of the grounds, etc. The Clerk will contact the League to find this out. • He presented pictures of the softball diamond. It is unfit to play on as dirt has been gouged from the road and piled into the fence, etc. Dan stated that this happened because the snow had to be moved further unto the area or the corner would not stay open. He will repair the damages as soon as the snow melts so he can get at it. 3. James and Karen Thompson presented a letter explaining their predicament when the Lift Station in the Park failed earlier in the week. They requested that they be reimbursed $203.50 for having to hire someone to clean up the sewage that had backed up into their basement. Horack made a motion to pay the bill of $203.50. Bement seconded it and the motion carried unanimously. Acting Mayor Swiers then called for Old Business. It was noted that Dutch Street by the elevators is in terrible condition. Winter agreed to contact Alvin Anderson to come in to blade that area on a regular basis until the frost heaves settle down. Dan said he had had 100 yards of fill put in there last year and it is still messed up. It was noted that the street lights on First Ave. by Ron Spaeth’s home are not working. There are insufficient lights along that thoroughfare with the new home being built there. Bement made a motion to install two new lights in the area. Winter seconded it and it carried unanimously. Dan was instructed to contact Ottertail to see if and when this can be done. It was also noted that the handicapped zone in front of the Community Center needs repair. Dan was instructed to see to having it repaired as soon as possible so no one falls or trips. The salary schedule for 2005 was reviewed: Dan Murray $2,500 per month for maintenance and upkeep of water & sewer facilities. Leonard Steichen $463.50 per month for Community Center upkeep Paul Brehm $741.90 per month as Police Chief Scott Brehm $350.14 per month as second officer Germaine Riegert $14.42 per hour as City Clerk—not to exceed 21 hours per week. Mary Ahles $400.00 per year as City Treasurer Bement made a motion to leave salaries for 2006 as is. The motion died for lack of a second. Horack made a motion to increase all salaries by 3.1% as Cost of Living effective today April 11, 2006. Winter seconded it and the motion carried on a vote of 3 for and 1 against. Bement was opposed. The Clerk presented the city’s Financial Report for 2005. Horack commented that an audit should be conducted as soon as possible. Bement made a motion to accept the report and Winter seconded it. The motion carried unanimously. As part of the discussion of the Financial Report it was noted that Water Rate Analysis training is to be conducted by MN Rural Water Association. Swiers will talk to Wells about attending. The Clerk presented verification that the Paint Grant had been funded. The date for selecting colors, etc., is scheduled for April 18 which is the date of the special election. She was instructed to attend if possible or delegate someone else if she could not. Other Old Business: A letter from the City Attorney was presented regarding the question of the property line for the Ethel Ave. vacation. After review of the letter it was the consensus of the Council that both parties be notified that 17.5 feet was deeded to each of them and it would be their responsibility to settle this amicably or have their own survey done. The City of Waubun is no longer a part of the dispute. Question was raised about who had Ken Kylmanen’s keys. Winter said he did. Mr. Stalberger also noted that he has a set of keys for the Community Center. Acting Mayor Swiers asked for the bids for the 1 Ton truck that had been advertised for sale. One bid was received in the amount of $2,051.00. Motion was made by Winter and seconded by Bement to accept the bid. The motion carried unanimously. The Clerk will notify the top bidder and make the necessary arrangements for it to be removed. Swiers presented the KRJM proposal for sports broadcasting for the new year. It is the same as for the 2005-06 academic year. Bement made a motion to approve the contract and Horack seconded it. It carried unanimously. ND Sewage Pump Lift Station had sent a proposal to do annual maintenance on the City’s lift stations. It was noted that Detroit Lakes and Bejou both use them and they could do it when they were in the area. The proposed price is $300 per month. After some discussion Bement made a motion to table the matter until the May meeting. Winter seconded it and the motion carried unanimously. D&G Hometown Grocery has had a new freezer installed. When the wall was removed it was full of mold and the whole area needs to be restored. Are quotes on renovation needed? Motion by Bement and seconded by Horack to table this matter to the May meeting also. Motion carried unanimously. New Business: The Clerk presented information on the renewal of the liquor license for Doc’s Den. The Police Chief was questioned about behavior and other law enforcement matters with the institution and reported that it had been a quiet year. Bement made a motion and Horack seconded it to notify Karen Simon-Thompson to proceed with the licensing process. The motion carried unanimously. Staff Reports: Paul distributed copies of his reports as Fire and Police Chief. There was one grass fire for Chris Buschette—bill $500. He showed pictures taken of the tables and benches in the City Park. It was a real mess—graffiti, etc. He has not apprehended any one as he did not see anyone do it. Horack said she knew some of the culprits and would contact him with names. Mr. Stalberger said that WAMO would have to decide about refinishing the tables. Many suggestions were made to curb such vandalism but no final steps were taken at this time. Dan reported that he had finally gotten the water turned on at 1410 Main Street. He had to dig with the backhoe to find it. He felt that something needs to be done as there is no standard size on the water shut offs. He also reported a serious problem with the ponds. The secondary pond had 6’ last fall and is down to 2’ now. In order to do a discharge from the Primary pond it should be at 7’. It is now at 5’6”. The seepage is excessive and exceeds the standards for the age of the pond. The Council directed the Clerk to contact the City Engineers regarding possible sewer system renovation. Dan stated that he will be putting up banners next week as well as cleaning up the ball field. He requested that he be allowed to take a week of annual leave beginning on 4-12. He would be around the area so he would do the water tests and check the pumps as always. His request was approved unanimously. He requested that the Council enter into negotiations to increase his salary as promised earlier when he passed the Wastewater test. He has passed it and is now fully licensed. He requested an $18,000 annual raise. After some discussion, Horack made a motion to deny the request for $18,000 and leave any raise at the 3.1% level approved earlier. Bement seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 3 for and one opposed (Swiers). Germaine presented information on the cost of the magnesium chloride application for this year. She also reported that the Water Tower Contract has expired. The Council told her to send in the questionnaire so that a new contract can be negotiated. No other comments or information was brought up. Horack made a motion to adjourn at 9 PM. Bement seconded it and it carried unanimously. _____________________________ ________________________________ Mayor Clerk Sunday, May 14, 2006 CITY OF WAUBUN BOARD OF EQUALIZATION MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2006 6:00 PM WAUBUN COMMUNITY CENTER The annual meeting of the Waubun City Board of Equalization was held on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 6:00 PM. Board members present: Milo Winter, Tom Bement, Jean Horack and Larry Swiers. Member absent was Leonard Wells. Others present: Germaine Riegert, City Clerk and Les Finseth, County Assessor. No one appeared to ask questions of the Board. Mr. Finseth explained that valuations has not risen for this year but may in the new year as they now have 3-5 sales to base their findings on. He also explained that training will be given again in the fall and Board members should attend. No further business was brought up. Mr. Finseth presented the billing for the past year. Winter made a motion to adjourn; Bement seconded it and it carried unanimously. _____________________________ ______________________________ Mayor Clerk |
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