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Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Waubun City Council Meeting Tuesday, May 9, 2006 Waubun Community Center 6:00 PM The regular May meeting of the Waubun City Council was held on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at the Waubun Community Center beginning at 6 PM. Mayor Bill Eck called the meeting to order. The first order of business was the acceptance of Leonard Well’s resignation on a motion by Winter. It was seconded by Bement and carried unanimously. Eugene Moore was nominated to complete Wells’ term on a motion by Winter and seconded by Bement. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Moore agreed to accept the challenge. Mayor Eck issued the Oath of Office to Jean Horack who is completing Larry Swiers’ term and Gene Moore who is completing Leonard Wells’ term both of which will expire on December 31, 2006. Roll was called: Present; Eck, Moore, Horack, Bement and Winter. Absent: None Staff present: Germaine Riegert, City Clerk, Paul Brehm, Police and Fire Chief and Paul Ahles as temporary water and sewer/public works person. Others: Ben Stalberger of WAMO, Ron Hendrickson The agenda was reviewed. The tree grant status was added. Bement made a motion to approve the agenda. Winter seconded it and it carried unanimously. Mayor Eck asked for a motion to accept the minutes as presented. It was noted that “Dutch Street” noted in the April minutes is not a street but in reality is an alley along the railroad right of way. This amendment was accepted. Horack made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Moore seconded it and it carried unanimously. The following monthly bills were reviewed. GENERAL FUND: Midwest Bank 721.18 PERA 308.38 City of Mahnomen 5117.83 PERA 10.00 Midwest Printing 1011.11 JoAnne Riegert 101.20 Bemidji Pioneer 121.10 Mahnomen Co. Hwy. Dept. 267.67 Reliable Office Supply 296.73 Sharon Zluticky 45.00 Barbara Jasken 45.00 Charlotte Paskey 40.00 Joyce Klinkhammer 45.00 Minnie Borgrud 40.00 True Value Hardware 11.16 Mahnomen Pioneer 168.00 KRJM 310.00 Waubun Insurance 231.00 ACS 202.47 LMCIT 13041.00 Ottertail Power 2010.12 Larke’s Lock & Key 722.29 Ahles Repair 361.40 Water & Sewer Fund 5000.00 Salaries 5-06 (net) 2229.83 WATER AND SEWER FUND: MPCA 505.00 Hawkins Water Treatment 734.00 RMB Environmental 48.00 Midwest Bank 4870.00 Horack made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Moore seconded it and it passed unanimously. The Clerk reported that the statements sent in April were the Water and Sewer billings. The listing of customer accounts was reviewed and it was noted that many are more than three months in arrears. Notice will be given that unless the bills are brought current within a reasonable time frame, the water will be shut off. Mayor Eck directed the Clerk to prepare a letter for his signature. Receipts since the last meeting were $2,051.00 received from the sale of the 1 Ton truck. The clerk said that she will have to redeem a couple of C D’s in order to pay the bills. Winter made a motion, and Bement seconded it to redeem the ones with the lowest return rates. Motion carried unanimously. Delegations Mayor Eck recognized Ben Stalberger speaking on behalf of WAMO. Mr. Stalberger reported that the organization had purchased several new tables for the Center. They do not want the tables loaned out. WAMO suggested that if someone needs tables they could rent out the old heavy ones. A deposit would be required to take them out of the building—deposit to be refundable if the tables are returned in good condition. They are also purchasing a chair rack for 100 chairs. He reported that members had planed off the picnic tables in the Park Shelter. They are building two new 8’ tables and will make one out of two of the old metal framed ones. Brad Fleisher will take care of the ball diamonds this summer. Other needs in the park are the ceiling in the shelter. WAMO decided not to do them at this time. Ron Hendrickson suggested that the City apply for a County matching grant through Weed and Seed to do the job. The Clerk was instructed to do this. It was also noted that bricks are falling out of the back of the gazebo and need to be repaired. It was stated that we must keep the gazebo in good shape and functional or the park will return to private ownership. Horack made a motion to get a couple of quotes on ceiling repair. Bement seconded it and it carried unanimously. It was noted that the Center roof was leaking that evening. Ahles and Stalberger investigated and found that the wind and rain combination were forcing the rain into the vent system. Paul noted that it could be louvered to prevent it from repeating. He was instructed to do what was needed to prevent further damage. He was also told that the Fire Hall roof was leaking and agreed to look into the matter immediately. Mayor Eck thanked WAMO for their input and continued support of the City of Waubun. OLD BUSINESS a. Health Inspector—the League of MN Cities notified the Clerk that the position is no longer needed. After some discussion it was determined to concur with the findings of the League. b. Reorganization: Resolution 06-01-01 was amended to contain the following terms as follows: • Authorized agents to sign checks and orders for the payment of money transactions shall be: Mayor William “Bill” Eck, Treasurer Mary V. Ahles and City Clerk Germaine Riegert • Council members to serve as liaison to City Departments shall be: P o Public Works-Water and Sewer—Gene Moore o Public Works-Streets—Milo Winter o Police, Fire and Safety—Tom Bement o Parks and Recreation—Jean Horack o Public lands and buildings—Tom Bement o White Earth Area Community Council—William Eck • Health Officer position was deleted in entirety. • Weed Inspector is now Paul Ahles, acting Public Works Manager and Council person Milo Winter. Winter made a motion to modify Resolution 06-01-01 as above. Moore seconded it and it carried unanimously. c. Financials were reviewed. A thorough review would be time consuming to do at this meeting so Mayor Eck proposed a Special Meeting for May 23 to be held at the Community Center at 6 PM. A consensus determined to hold the meeting as suggested and the Clerk was instructed to put out notices and prepare an analysis of projected income and expenses for the rest of the fiscal year and how it compared to the 2006 budget. d. A report on the Clean Up days was given. Most of it was done by volunteers and people were basically happy with the results. Many thanks were given to Ron Hendrickson, Paul Brehm and Paul Ahles for organizing the pick ups etc. Discussion was held about what to do in the future but no decisions were made. Mayor Eck said he had been called about the old material behind the Rita Goble house. It was explained that she had been contacted before but either didn’t have the time or strength to get it done. Mayor Eck said he would speak to her and see she would be willing to let the City help her with so her neighbors would not complain any more. Further action was tabled until after the Mayor visits with her. e. Other old business matters discussed were: Tree grant-Clerk has called the DNR to see if it can be extended. She has not had a reply to date. She has contacted “The Lasting Landscape” firm to get the plans and contract set up. The Water Tower needs some minor work done. The card was sent in to have the firm who has done it in the past but no response has been received to date. Paul Ahles reported that the Sewage Lagoons are not in as bad condition as earlier thought. With some good care they can last a long while yet. Also the dump truck was left with salt in it. With TLC it will last for a while yet. The frame needs welding and something needs to be done with the clutch and/or transmission. It may cost a couple of thousand to get it repaired. He was directed to contact Stangle about it. It also needs to be DOT certified but none of this is imperative right now so the matter was tabled to the June meeting. Chris Thorsen of Ulteig Engineering Inc. presented the plan that has been sent to MN Department of Transportation for approval and funding. A question of where the detour will be on St. Hwy. 113 rose as it could be detrimental to the businesses in town. Curt presented the traffic plan. He said if we get it all approved within a short time, it can go out for bids. Actual proposed working days are from July 10 to August 20. Moore made a motion to approve the plan as presented. Winter seconded it and it carried unanimously. Bement made a motion to authorize Mayor Eck and Clerk Riegert to sign documents on behalf of the City Council. Motion was unanimously approved. Fire contracts with the neighboring townships of Popple Grove, Lake Grove and Oakland are still not resolved. The Clerk was notified to call the representatives of these Boards to attend the June meeting to resolve this, as they are now working without a valid and approved contract. NEW BUSINESS The purchase of the Back Hoe was revisited. Some of the Council persons felt that hiring an independent contractor to do things like major street repairs and snow plowing would be more financially effective. The question of whether or not to try get out of the purchase agreement or sell it to someone else was raised. This needs to be checked out carefully as the City cannot afford to loose a lot of money on the deal. This will be tabled until the financial review is done on May 23. There are many large craters in City streets. Is there any money to repair them? Cold patch was quoted at $13 per bag. Mayor Eck said he would call around for a more moderate price. Winter made a motion to repair what can be done at the most effective price. Bement seconded it and the motion carried unanimously. Lutheran Social Services sent a letter to the Mayor regarding shortfall funds for Senior Meals site. The Clerk was instructed to ask someone from the program to come to the next Council meeting to explain the matter in detail. The situation with the Community Center Advisory Board was discussed. Both of the two active participants no longer live in the village. It was the consensus of the Councilors that this is not a good situation. Mayor Eck asked if any one in the audience was interested in serving on this Board. Marilyn Kemper said she had been before and would be willing to do it again. After some discussion, it was decided that the Board be composed of at least five members; one from the City Council to be the liaison for them and one from WAMO. The other members would be chosen at large. Mayor Eck accepted Marilyn’s offer and asked her to begin looking for volunteers. The Clerk was directed to send a letter explaining the decision to Ardette Bisson—thanking her for her faithful service, etc. Horack made a motion to ratify the decision on the Community Center Advisory Board. Moore seconded it and the motion carried unanimously. Other new business discussed was to raise the stipend for election judges to $10.00 per hour. As long as it does not exceed $600 in a calendar year, no payroll taxes need to be withheld, either. Bement made a motion to accept the proposal. Moore seconded it and the motion carried unanimously. KRJM radio’s proposal for continued use of their website for publication of the minutes was presented by the clerk. It has been fairly successful. Bement made a motion to approve the expenditure of $600 to cover this cost for the next year from May 1, 2006 until April 30, 2007. Horack seconded and it was approved unanimously. Several residents have asked for the installation of a drop box where they can deposit their water and sewer payments. The Clerk showed the Council several commercially designed models but explained that the least expensive was about $500 and that installation would be additional. After some discussion, she was directed to take the brochure to Waubun Steel and ask them to build one. STAFF REPORTS Paul Ahles, acting PW manager reported that the telemetry at the Water Plant was not set correctly. He was directed to contact Jon Pratt of Ulteig for more information in getting it recalibrated. The cemetery was mowed and will be in shape for Memorial Day. All of the locks were rekeyed as a security measure. The street lights have in installed on the north end of town and the poles straightened by Ottertail. The sewage lagoons are not as bad as he had been led to believe. Rip Rap is needed and he will contact Lunde Sand and Gravel for a price quote. He requested assistance in finding the property stake. He felt that the dump ground needed to be kept locked. He requested permission to give a copy of the key to Bill Gomall at Waubun Implement. His request was approved. He then addressed the problem of the ditches. They either need to be raised or lowered to eliminate standing water and mosquito breeding grounds. After some discussion it was decided to table this until we find out what will happen as a result of the repairs to HWY 113. He reported that his Water License has lapsed but he should be able to get in renewed upon payment of the required fee. He will work on the wastewater certification also. We were notified that two of the annual tests required by MPCA were not sent in when due. We have been issued a citation requiring us to notify all customers of the delinquency. He emphasized that this is a formality only and our water is completely safe to drink. The small tractor starts but needs gearbox repair. Mowers are working. Two hydrants are not working. One can be blown but the other will need more extensive repair. He requested permission to spray the lagoons, the park and curbs for noxious weeds and was given permission to do so. He was also requested to have Alvin Anderson come in and blade the streets to level them off and get them ready for the application of dust control chemicals. Ahles requested that he be allowed to hire the services of Brett Brehm on an as needed basis to mow and do other maintenance duties. He would like to have a contract developed for Brett and for him. The Clerk was directed to contact City Attorney Hanson to do this. Paul Brehm reported that a light is needed in the picnic area, especially in the Shelter, to deter vandalism now that the tables, etc., have been repaired. He was directed to get an electrician to do this before WAMO days on a motion made by Bement and seconded by Horack. The motion carried unanimously. Paul have been assisting with mowing and clean up and agreed to do so until a new person is hired. This is primarily volunteer work. He presented his written reports on fire and police calls. There were no billable incidents. Germaine Riegert had no further comments. She asked what type of information the Council specifically needed for the budget and finance meeting and received some suggestions for useful info. No further business was discussed. The next meeting was rescheduled to June 6, 2006 at 6 PM. All staff are requested to come at 6 to do a pre-meeting review. The Council will not be in formal session but it is still considered to be an open meeting and all interested parties are invited to attend. Horack made a motion to adjourn at 9:15 PM. Moore seconded it and the motion carried unanimously. ____________________________________ ______________________________ Mayor Clerk |
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