In the Heart of Minnesota's Vacation and Recreational Area

AKELEY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

AUGUST 13, 2008

7:00 PM CITY HALL

 

AGENDA

 

1.         Call the Meeting to Order

2.         Pledge of Allegiance    

3.         Approve Consent Agenda of…

    a)      Minutes

    b)      Treasurers Report

    c)      Bills for Payment                

4.         Representative Larry Howes

5.         Bruce Patton - HRA

6.         Faye Dudycha – “Mill St.” traffic danger to bicycles & hikers going to & from Heartland Trail

7.         Bob Winner – Liquor Store Report

8.         Frank Thelin – Water/Sewer/Maintenance Report

9.         Plan to Review Part-Time Maintenance Applications & Determine Interview Process

10.       Established Water & Sewer Lines after a House Has Been Removed

11.       Police Report

12.       Transcribing Statements for Police Department – (Tabled from last month)        

13.       Old Business

14.       New Business

15.       Adjourn

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AKELEY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

AUGUST 13, 2008

7:00 PM CITY HALL

 

The Akeley City Council met in a regular meeting Wednesday August 13, 2008 at 7:00 pm.  Acting Mayor Brian Hitchcock called the meeting to order.  Council members present were:  Cliff Johnson, Eric Sjolin and Frank Lamb.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the Council and attending audience.

 

Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Cliff Johnson and carried to approve the consent agenda.

 

Representative Larry Howes was present to ask how things are going in Akeley and spoke about the status of Aw-Gwah-Ching. 

 

Bruce Patton from the HRA was present and stated that Michelle McDowel from Hubbard County had attended their last meeting and suggested the first thing that the board do is come up with a resolution approving the rehabilitation of property in the City of Akeley.  Bruce had a draft of the resolution which Brian Hitchcock said he agreed with but wanted to have “City” building codes added regarding structure standards.  The resolution is to be approved by the Akeley HRA but was brought before the Akeley City Council to keep them informed.

 

Motion by Frank Lamb seconded by Eric Sjolin and carried to recognize and give full approval of the resolution that the HRA has brought forward with the change stated.

 

Bruce Patton said that the HRA meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month at the North Country Radiator shop at 6:00 PM.

 

Faye Dudycha was on the agenda to discuss the traffic on Mill Street and the danger to pedestrians and bicyclers coming from and going to the Heartland Trail but was not present.  The cost to put reflective signs on the street would be over $100 each.  Frank Thelin said he will check with the DNR to see if they would have any signs that could be posted since this issue is concerning the Heartland Trail.     

 

 Liquor Store Report – Bob Winner

 

• Bob said the liquor store had a good July.

• In comparison to last August, the liquor store is ahead of the pace it was at last year.

 

Water/Sewer/Maintenance Report - Frank Thelin   

 

• Frank stated the cost for 1 “Power King” tire for the grader is $420 and 1 “Firestone” tire for the grader is $390.  The tubes are $55 each and mounting will cost $50 for each tire.

 

Motion by Cliff Johnson seconded by Brian Hitchcock and carried to approve the purchase of 2 “Firestone” tires for the grader including tubes and mounting at a cost of $990.

 

• Frank checked with the county zoning office regarding the fishing pier.  He would like to have an 8’x7 ½’ slab poured for the ramp that goes to the dock and would be 10’ from the edge of the shoreline.

 

Some discussion was held regarding a date which needed to be determined by the Council to review the applications for the part-time maintenance position.

 

Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Eric Sjolin and carried to change the time of the work session on August 28^th from 6:00 PM to 5:00 PM to include reviewing the applications as well as working on the 2009 budget.

 

Some discussion took place regarding lots in town which have established water and sewer lines but have no structure there.  In the past, water has been taken from some lots by the owners who may hook their RV’s up but who have not been charged due to no structure being there.  Council members believe there is an ordinance which would address a minimum charge for this but would like more time to look into it.

 

Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Cliff Johnson and carried to table this item until further research can be done on the ordinances.

 

Police Report - Chief Eric Klein was not present but Brian Hitchcock read the report that he had included in the packet.

·        The sign on the mailbox in front of the post office which warns drivers not to face the wrong direction while putting mail in the box has been working.

·        Painting of the crosswalks is still getting organized.

 

Transcribing statements for the police department had been tabled last month.  Eric Klein stated in his report that transcriptions had been done by the deputy clerk a couple of times in the past three years and that after speaking with the county attorney’s office again, they said that he could type his own.  Eric Sjolin suggested that the police reserves type the transcriptions.

 

Old Business

 

None

 

New Business

 

Josh Kietzman from the C&C was present to give an update on the plans for Hay Days which will be held Sept. 26^th and 27^th in Akeley.  He said the C&C would like to get a band to play but have a minimal budget and hoped the community fund could help pay for the band.  Josh also said the C&C would like to start advertising for this event as soon as possible but needed to know first whether to plan for a band or not.  The Akeley Liquor Store is planning to have a beer garden in a controlled area Friday and Saturday during Hay Days.    

 

Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Cliff Johnson and carried to approve $1,500 to the C&C from the community fund to be earmarked for a band.

 

Denise Rittgers said the cash control statement (which is included in the council packet) balanced with the check book so after 2 years of trying to get CTAS and the check book to balance, they finally do.

 

Jon Johnson asked if the state auditor tells the City where it should set the water and sewer rates and wondered if it is known approximately what the rates will be changed to.  The State Auditor does not tell the City where to set its rates but does make recommendations regarding the amount of money the City should have set aside for unexpected emergencies related to water and sewer.  Frank Thelin is going to check on the cost of chemicals required to treat the water which will be a factor in determining the rate for water.

 

The City of Akeley has to lock in a price for propane and is looking at Skelgas of Park Rapids since the City either owns or leases the tanks from them and bought propane from them last year.  The City paid $1.66 per gallon last year and this year is looking at $2.20 per gallon.  The City of Akeley will need 5,200 gallons and at $2.20 per gallon the cost is $11,440.

 

Motion by Frank Lamb seconded by Eric Sjolin and carried to approve to pay $11,440 to Skelgas for 5,200 gallons of propane.

 

Brian Hitchcock stated that a new $678.84 water heater was donated to the City by the Senior Citizens and has been installed.

 

Cliff Johnson said they are working with Hubbard County Recycling and are planning to move the recycling bin, currently located by the liquor store, to the west side of the maintenance building so it is more accessible.  Frank Thelin has been clearing the area to prepare for the move.   

 

Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Frank Lamb and carried to adjourn.

 

Denise Rittgers                                                

Clerk Treasurer                                                           

City of Akeley

 

Wendy Klein

Deputy Clerk

City of Akeley