AKELEY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
September 10, 2008
7:00 PM CITY HALL
SEPTEMBER 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. Larry Holm – The ARCC
5. Bob Winner – Liquor Store Report
6. Frank Thelin – Water/Sewer/Maintenance Report
7. Approve Hiring of Part-Time Maintenance Person
8. Approve MEDICA Health Insurance Rates
9. Approve Levy by September 15th
10. Old Business
11. New Business
12. Adjourn
AKELEY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 10, 2008
7:00 PM CITY HALL
SEPTEMBER MINUTES
The Akeley City Council met in a regular meeting Wednesday
September 10, 2008 at 7:00 pm. Acting Mayor Brian Hitchcock
called the meeting to order at 7:18 pm once there was a quorum.
Council members present were: Brian Hitchcock, Eric Sjolin and
Frank Lamb. Cliff Johnson was absent. The Pledge of Allegiance
was recited by the Council and attending audience.
Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Frank Lamb and carried to
approve the consent agenda with the additions of Troy Hegg from
the HRA at 4.5 and Josh Kietzman from the C & C at 4.75.
Larry Holm from the ARCC was present to discuss a few issues.
He said currently the curb on the north side of the ARCC is
painted yellow from Pleasant Ave all the way to the front of the
Clothing Store and many people have asked whether they can park
there legally or not. Council members believed the curb was
painted yellow due to bus parking when the school was in
operation but didn’t feel it was necessary to have the entire
curb painted yellow now. Larry said if the City was to provide
gray paint, he had volunteers who would be willing to paint the
curb. Frank Thelin will check to see if the City has any gray
paint and if not was told by Frank Lamb to go ahead and buy a
gallon. The second issue Larry wanted to discuss was where the
pavement ends (on First St.); the road is rough so he would like
to see it smoothed over since the road washes out. The last
issue Larry had was when streets were plowed last year that the
street (First St.) wasn’t plowed as fast as the other streets.
Since this year the front door (to the Clothing Store) is on
this street he would like to see it get plowed as soon as
possible.
Troy Hegg from the HRA was present and stated that the HRA had
purchased two lots in Akeley for 50¢ each and will be organizing
a cleanup of both lots using volunteers hopefully by the end of
October.
Josh Kietzman from the Akeley C & C wanted to thank the City
Council for the donation made to Akeley Hay Days which is coming
up the end of September. He also thanked the Akeley Municipal
Liquor Store for the signs to advertise the event which they
will be putting up this week. Josh asked about the use of
electricity by vendors at Paul’s Patio and if there was a charge
to use it. Frank Lamb said that during Paul Bunyan Days people
just use it but donations are welcome (to pay for the
electricity). Josh also asked if since the City is having a
beer garden there, would the City provide police enforcement or
would the C & C have to provide anything on that. Brian
Hitchcock stated that Josh should talk to Eric Klein about that,
but assumed Eric and the police reserves would be there.
Liquor Store Report – Bob Winner
-
Bob said the
liquor store looks good this month.
-
Bob stated since
the liquor store is falling short for relieving the city
taxes ($20,000 from the Liquor Store is to offset this
year’s levy), he had hoped that 100% of the money paid for
pull tab rent could stay in the liquor store fund for the
rest of this year rather than transferring all but $300 to
the Community Fund each month.
Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Frank Lamb and carried to
approve that 100% of the pull tab rent money stay in the liquor
store fund for the rest of the year and that the percentage be
reviewed again in January.
Roger Curtis stated that he noticed on the liquor store
disbursements which had been paid; it shows that a $75 payment
was made to him for food from US Food Service and he said it was
not paid to him but to his business, “CurtiSinn Headwaters
Restaurant”. He wants the records to show for tax purposes that
it was paid to his business and not to him.
Water/Sewer/Maintenance Report - Frank Thelin
-
Frank had John
Olson from Ulteig Engineering present to discuss the Highway
34 project which will be taking place in 2011. John
provided a copy of an outline of scheduled improvements,
costs, city infrastructure and considerations which can be
reviewed at City Hall.
Brian Hitchcock said that after the work session which was held
on August 28th and after a few interviews, the
decision was made to hire Tim Scouton from Nevis as part time
maintenance worker at $11.00 per hour. Frank Lamb asked why the
gentleman running the park isn’t working part-time maintenance
now. Brian Hitchcock stated that he is still on the payroll but
has been involved with the park and hasn’t been able to produce
a schedule for Bobby (Frank Thelin) to work around. Roger
Curtis stated as a taxpayer he had a serious problem with the
City hiring another person and not using the employees they
have. Brian Hitchcock stated that one of the part-time
maintenance workers has a medical condition and hasn’t been able
to work as much and that Bobby (Frank Thelin) has been working
over a month by himself. Eric Sjolin stated that part-time
people do not receive any benefits and it’s not going to cost
the City anything extra to have another person to call.
Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Brian Hitchcock and carried to
approve to hire Tim Scouton as part-time maintenance person at
$11.00 an hour. Frank Lamb opposed and stated that he is not
against Mr. Scouton but is opposed to the principle of hiring
another person when there is another one available.
Roger Curtis asked what the Council used for criteria to hire
the new part-time maintenance worker. Eric Sjolin replied that
at the work session there was a list of potential candidates and
within all of the potential candidates they looked for location,
class B license, mechanical aptitude, and experience.
Some discussion was held regarding Medica health insurance rates
and proposed changes. The City is looking at changing from a
$500 deductible with a $25 co-pay to $1,000 deductible with a
$25 co-pay and going to a cafeteria plan where all dollars are
pre-taxed which will save the City money.
Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Frank Lamb and carried to
approve the rate changes for Medica health insurance and to go
to a cafeteria plan.
Brian Hitchcock stated that the preliminary 2009 property tax
levy due by September 15th is $255,153 and can still
be reduced but can not be raised. Last year the final levy was
$210,652 and council members stated they believe it can still be
trimmed before December when the final levy is due.
Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Brian Hitchcock and carried to
approve to accept the preliminary levy of $255,153 due by
September 15th. Frank Lamb abstained.
Old Business
Brian Hitchcock asked Frank
Thelin if he had been able to check with the DNR about signs on
Mill St. Frank said he wasn’t sure what they would be able to
do but he will still check into it.
Frank Lamb said for the record and for the news media, the
Senior Citizens bought a new water heater for this building and
wanted publicity for it in the newspapers. Frank said it was a
nice gesture which saved the tax payers a few dollars and they
should be thanked for it in the newspaper.
New Business
Brian Hitchcock read a letter of resignation from Adam Williams
who has been a part-time police officer for the Akeley Police
Department the past year. He has accepted a position with the
Hubbard County Sheriff’s Department.
Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Frank Lamb and carried to
accept Adam Williams’ resignation as part-time police officer of
the Akeley Police Department.
Eric Sjolin asked when the next budget meeting should be set
up. Brian Hitchcock stated that since Cliff Johnson was not
present he wanted to check with him and his schedule so would
wait until the next meeting to determine a date.
Jon Johnson asked about the part-time maintenance job and
whether there were any benefits offered or if it was a straight
wage. Brian Hitchcock stated the part-time maintenance worker
would receive $11 per hour with no benefits.
Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Brian Hitchcock and carried to
adjourn.
Denise Rittgers
Clerk Treasurer
City of Akeley
Wendy Klein
Deputy Clerk
City of Akeley
