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Monday, May 16, 2005
CITY OF WAUBUN MN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2005 The regular May meeting of the Waubun City Council was held on Thursday, May 12, 2005 at the Waubun Community Center beginning at 6:00 PM. Mayor Peter Haddeland called the meeting to order. Council members present were Ken Kylmanen, Leonard Wells and Peter Haddeland. Council members absent were Milo Winter and Larry Swiers. There was a quorum and the meeting convened. Staff present was G. Riegert, Dan Murray and Paul Brehm. Guests and delegations: Ardette Bisson, Paul Ahles, Bill Gomall, Ben Stalberger, Kurt Philion, Craig Romanski, representing Mark II’s insurance company, and Leo Riegert. The following items were added to the agenda: What can be done with the Goble Property? Craig Romanski-Mark II’s insurance agency about the water tower freeze Warning sirens Water and Wastewater contract Chamber of Commerce donation/dues Tribal dog ordinance Kylmanen made a motion to approve the amended agenda. Wells seconded it. The motion carried by a vote of 3 for and 2 absent. A motion was made by Wells and seconded by Kylmanen to approve the minutes of the last meeting as sent out and posted. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the members present. The following monthly bills were reviewed: GENERAL FUND: L&M Fleet 617.59 Dan Murray 5.08 D&J Towing 116.00 Wilson Bros. 95.81 Mahnomen Co. CofC 535.00 Moore’s Snowblowing 30.00 Wambach & Hanson 175.00 Pitney Bowes 130.15 Pitney Bowes PBM 75.00 Midstates Wireless 1,430.28 ACS 330.78 Larke Lock & Key 832.38 True Value Hardware 166.73 Midwest Bank 19,931.27 KRJM 155.00 Mahnomen Pioneer 16.80 Vern’s Parking Lot Mtce. 495.00 Bement Oil Co 87.16 Ottertail Power Co 1,257.02 WATER AND SEWER FUND: Hawkins Inc. 760.48 Ottertail Power Co 520.90 Motion was made by Kylmanen and seconded by Wells to approve the payment of the bills as presented. Motion carried unanimously by members present. The Clerk reported that the bills sent since the last meeting was the water and sewer bills for May. The Clerk reported the following receipts since the last meeting: A building permit for Norman Hills of $52.50 Judy Shaide paid $300 on her mortgage. Delegations: Mayor Haddeland recognized Carol Moore. She filed verbal protests in several areas. • She felt that the action taken at the last meeting to suspend the dumping of septic tank refuse into the City wastewater disposal ponds was unfair because they were notified to stop immediately without recourse and that they only use this method of disposal during times of heavy rain or when road restrictions were on. She noted that the City charged for the services at the rate of $10 per 1,000 gallons and that this was fair. After some discussion it was noted that some cities do allow dumping but the rates are $75/1,000. She said that this was outrageous and it wouldn’t be happening. The Council affirmed their decision to not allow dumping of septic waste into the ponds. • She questioned the removal of the “yield” sign from their corner because now people were cutting the corner and driving over their lawn again. Mayor Haddeland said he had told staff to remove the sign because it was a nuisance rather than a deterrent. She then noted that they will be erecting a boulder or some other type of material, barricade to keep people off their lawn and was told to go ahead with it. • She requested a key to the dump so that they can dump grass clippings from their yard service company. It was agreed to allow them to use the dump for that purpose. Old Business Water treatment plant report: Dan reported that the punch list has not yet been done and there are still issues with the water tower freeze. There is still some inside cosmetic work to be done. The screen was faulty and had to be replaced. Jon Pratt of Ulteig Engineers advised that the final payment request not be paid until these issues have been resolved. Hydrant repair quotes: Dan reported that he had gotten another quote for hydrant repairs near the Water Pump House from Gordon Construction Inc. They gave a price of $3,000 for each hydrant for digging and repair. Hough Construction had given a price of $1,975 for each unit. A motion was made by Wells and seconded by Kylmanen to accept the proposal from Hough Construction. Motion carried unanimously by the members present. Dan was directed to make arrangements to get this work completed as soon as materials can be ordered in. Past due Water and Sewer Bills: The Council reviewed the list of unpaid and past due water and sewer billings. It was the consensus of the members present that all bills more than 3 months past due would be sent a certified letter telling them to get the account current within two weeks from the date of the letter or the water would be shut off. Mayor Haddeland and Councilor Wells agreed to accompany Mr. Murray if shut off became necessary. The Clerk was directed to proceed with the process. Waubun Brochures: The question of a brochure depicting items of interest in the City was discussed several months ago. Ken Kylmanen said he had not done anything about it as he had no idea what was desired. One from another village was reviewed. He agreed to meet with Charlotte Paskey and come up with a simple design to see if the idea is feasible before we spend a lot of money on printing, etc. Vacating Ethel Avenue: The Clerk talked to the City Attorney about the legal procedure for vacating Ethel Avenue between Third Street and Main Street. Mr. Hanson suggested that he prepare a resolution on the matter and address the Council at the next regular meeting. Kylmanen made a motion to ask Mr. Hanson to the June meeting. Wells seconded it and it carried unanimously. Conflict of Interest: The issue had been tabled at the last meeting. The Clerk reported that City Attorney Hanson had been contacted and he was writing a letter to the MN Attorney General to have a more extensive search done and opinion issued. This would cost $100. After some discussion it was decided that the question of the Police Chief also serving as the Fire Chief is an internal matter of the Fire Department. They were advised to look further into the matter and report back to the Council. ReLeaf Grant: The State of MN grant was discussed. The Clerk was directed to address the conditions specified and get someone to assist with the selection and planting of the trees as agreed to as soon as possible so we don’t loose the funding. Website with KRJM: The Council discussed further the tabled motion to enter into an agreement with radio station KRJM to post our meeting minutes on their website. It would cost $600 per year. Kylmanen made a motion to enter into a contract with KRJM to provide this service to our residents. Wells seconded it and the motion carried unanimously. The Clerk will work with the employees of the radio station to get this done as soon as feasible. Review Goble Home site: A discussion was held on the old mobile home on the back of the Goble property. It is an eyesore and may be a health hazard, also. Mayor Haddeland and Mr. Wells had tried to meet with Mrs. Goble last fall but were never able to do so. It was agreed that they will do so again this spring to see if there is some way that the family will agree to remove the old building and clean up the lot. Water Tower Insurance Discussion: In December, when the water tower froze up, it was the opinion of the Water Plant Engineers that the situation was caused by negligence on the part of the Contractor Mark II. The insurance investigator, Craig Romanski, appeared at the meeting to discuss the matter. The Council was advised by the City Attorney and the Engineers that they not get involved in the discussion at this point as it could prejudice the city’s position. Mr. Romanski was advised of their decision and left the meeting. This matter is still under investigation and will be resolved by the principals involved. NEW BUSINESS Warning Sirens: An e-mail forwarded from Sheriff Athman’s office was read to the Council. It discussed the possibility of purchasing a warning siren to alert citizens in the event of a tornado or other potential disaster. This would be a separate warning system with another alarm sound that would differentiate it from the Fire Alarm siren. The Clerk was directed to contact Systecom Corporation for more information and report back at the next meeting. Water/Wastewater Contract: The Clerk reported that Chad Smith who is licensed as Water and Wastewater Operator for the White Earth Reservation has expressed his willingness to assist Dan with operation of our system. Dan had worked with him in the past and felt that this would be a good match. Wells made a motion to contract with Chad Smith at the rate of $25 per hour to provide his expertise in the operation of the Waubun water and sewer systems. Kylmanen seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The Clerk was directed to contact Mr. Smith to get the contract in place as soon as possible. Mahnomen Chamber of Commerce Dues: A letter from Charlotte Paskey was presented requesting assistance with the keeping the Waubun Tourist Information Center open again this summer. After some discussion, it was agreed on a motion by Wells and seconded by Kylmanen that $500 be given as our share of the project. Motion carried unanimously. STAFF REPORTS Police and Fire: Paul Brehm presented his written reports. He said he had no further information to share. Public Works/Water and Sewer: Dan reported that he has been busy with assessing the needs of the City for equipment and supplies to repair the streets, etc. He would like to meet, in a special session, with the Council to develop an equipment list and budget. It was the consensus of the Council that he sit down with Larry Swiers to examine, in detail, the equipment needs before coming to the full Council. He reported that he has been busy with mowing. He asked if there would be a possibility of hiring part time help to assist him. It was the consensus of the Council that we ask Lisa Zluticky to work with him. She has been trustworthy and is dependable. Dan will contact her as soon as possible. He has also been working with MPCA and MN Rural Water to get the reporting back on schedule. He needs to keep working on the ponds as they need to be lowered within a specific time frame and with all the water, it has been somewhat difficult. Everything seems to be coming together and he is feeling more comfortable with the job. City Clerk: Germaine talked about several dog complaints she had gotten recently. Wells presented a copy of the revised Dog Ordinance for the White Earth Tribal Council. It was agreed that we send a copy to the City Attorney and ask him to help draft one for the City of Waubun that would be compatible so that enforcement would be more uniform and easier to understand. She reported that she has contacted Anne Sande of the Headwaters Regional Development Commission but she was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. She has agreed to speak to the Council at the June meeting. She reported that Dan’s reports will soon need to be computerized and that she has contacted Minkota Technologies about a new system. She was told to get more information and canvass the Council after she had more details. She presented a letter from the White Earth Reservation Boys and Girls Club for monetary assistance. The letter was tabled to a future meeting until we know if the White Earth RTC is still interested in establishing a youth and fitness center in Waubun. The Clerk read a letter from Councilman Larry Swiers. He was absent but had some thoughts he wanted to share with the other members. A copy of his letter is in the official minute file but essentially he would like the City Attorney to come to most of the meetings to make sure we are not violating laws and directives that would come back to haunt us. He stressed that he believed that it is imperative that we look at a realistic budget for next year also. His comments were taken under advisement. No further business was presented to the Council. Kylmanen made a motion to adjourn at 8:03 PM. Wells seconded it and the motion carried. _______________________________ ___________________________\ Mayor Clerk |
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