In the Heart of Minnesota's Vacation and Recreational Area

AKELEY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

JANUARY 14, 2009

7:00 PM CITY HALL

 

JANUARY 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.         Randall Morrison – Approval for Party Wall Agreement and Declaration

5.         Approve Resolution #1-2009 “Resolution to Adopt Consignments for 2009”

6.         Approve Resolution #2-2009 “Resolution establishing procedures relating to compliance with    reimbursement bond regulations under the internal revenue code.”

7.         Approve Resignation of Marilyn Ferrie from the Fire Board

8.         Approve 2009 Commissioners

9.         Approve Monthly transfer for the year of 2009 for professional fees as followed:

·        $500.00 from Liquor Fund to General Fund

·        $120.00 from Park Fund to General Fund

·        $400.00 from Sewer Fund to General Fund

·        $200.00 from Water Fund to General Fund

10.       Adopt Ordinance No. 01-09 “An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 101 A Schedule of Fees           and Charges for Various Services, Licenses and Permits for the City of Akeley, Minnesota”

11.       Review % of Pull Tab Rent to go to Liquor Store and to Community Fund

12.       Bob Winner – Liquor Store Report

13.       Frank Thelin – Water/Sewer/Maintenance Report

14.       Eric Klein – Police Report

15.       Re-evaluate Park Manager Contract

16.       Approve 2009 Mileage Rate

17.       Approve to have packets ready for Council by 4:00 PM on the Thursday prior to the    scheduled council meeting.

18.       Approve date and time to have council meeting agendas posted.

19.       Old Business

20.       New Business/Public Forum

21.       Adjourn

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AKELEY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

JANUARY 14, 2009

7:00 PM CITY HALL

 

The Akeley City Council met in a regular meeting Wednesday January 14, 2009 at 7:00 pm.  Mayor Scott Vettleson called the meeting to order.  Council members present were:  Scott Vettleson, Brian Hitchcock, Cliff Johnson, Troy Hegg and Eric Sjolin.  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.

           

Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Troy Hegg and carried to approve to send Randall Morrison a letter stating the Council’s approval to have another parcel created for the property located at 10 1^st ST SE due to the property being divided.

 

Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Eric Sjolin and carried to approve to adopt Resolution #1-2009, Resolution to adopt consignments for 2009.

 

Consignments are as follows:

 

·        First National Bank of Walker as Depository

·        Steve Bolton as City Attorney

·        Northwoods Press as City Newspaper

·        David Johnson as City Assessor

·        Mathias C. Justin, LTC as City Auditor

·        Pederson, Smith and Roehl as Payroll Auditor

·        Headwaters Animal Shelter as Official Dog Pound

 

Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Cliff Johnson and carried to approve to adopt Resolution #2-2009, Resolution establishing procedures relating to compliance with reimbursement bond regulations under the internal revenue code.

 

A letter of resignation from the Fire Board had been received by the City Council from Marilyn Ferrie.  Mayor Scott Vettleson thanked Marilyn for the time she had spent on the board this past year.

 

Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Eric Sjolin and carried to approve to accept Marilyn Ferrie’s resignation from the Fire Board.

 

Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Eric Sjolin and carried to approve to place an ad in the paper for the open position on the Fire Board.

 

Some discussion was held as to whether there would be a conflict of interest having Troy Hegg on the Fire Board since he is an assistant chief of the fire department.

 

Motion by Cliff Johnson seconded by Eric Sjolin and carried to approve the 2009 Department Commissioners.

 

Department Commissioners are as follows:

 

• Acting Mayor – Clifford Johnson

• Fire Board – Troy Hegg and 1 vacant position

• Public Works & Safety Commissioner – Clifford Johnson

• Personnel, Finance, Administration & Liquor Commissioner – Scott Vettleson

• Economic Development Commissioner – Eric Sjolin

• Park & Recreation Commissioner – Brian Hitchcock

• Public Streets Commissioner – Clifford Johnson

• Ordinances Commissioner – Eric Sjolin

• Public Events Commissioner – Troy Hegg

• Paul Bunyan Days – Troy Hegg

• Audrey’s Purple Dream - Brian Hitchcock

• Hay Days, C & C – Troy Hegg

• Horizons – Clifford Johnson

• Civil Defense Director – Clifford Johnson

 

Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Cliff Johnson and carried to approve a monthly transfer for the year 2009 for professional fees as follows:

 

• $500.00 from Liquor Fund to General Fund

• $120.00 from Park Fund to General Fund

• $400.00 from Sewer Fund to General Fund

• $200.00 from Water Fund to General Fund

 

Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Eric Sjolin and carried to adopt Ordinance 01-09, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 101, A Schedule of Fees and Charges for Various Services, Licenses and Permits for the City of Akeley, Minnesota.

 

Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Brian Hitchcock and carried to table until July, a decision on the percent of pull tab rent which will go into the community fund currently which is 0% with 100% going into the liquor fund.

 

Liquor Store Report – Bob Winner

 

• Bob stated the liquor store is in dire need of 2 doors at the liquor store.  He has received one bid and is looking for more before a decision is made.

 

Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Eric Sjolin and carried to approve to place an ad in the newspaper stating the City of Akeley is accepting bids to replace the two doors at the liquor store and that bids must be received by January 30^th.

 

• Bob said business this year is up a little from last year and having snow for the snowmobilers has helped business.

 

Water/Sewer/Maintenance Report - Frank Thelin   

 

• Frank enclosed in the council packet a quote from Municipal Service Co. Inc. for butterfly valves to be replaced at the water plant.  In the quote the cost to remove and replace one butterfly valve would be $1,260 and additional butterfly valves to be removed and replaced would cost $720.  A comment on the quote stated that a monthly payment plan is available to the City of Akeley for this improvement project.

 

Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Troy Hegg and carried to approve to have the two butterfly valves replaced at the water plant at a cost of $1,980 and to be paid over a period of 6 months to Municipal Service Co., Inc.

 

• Frank said he would like to attend a six-hour waste water training session in St. Cloud on February 24^th at the cost of $55.  

 

Motion by Troy Hegg seconded by Brian Hitchcock and carried to approve to send Frank Thelin to training in St. Cloud on February 24^th with the City paying the training fee of $55, per diem and mileage.

 

Police Report - Eric Klein

 

·        Eric stated that the reserves will not be taking a dog census as a result of Council concerns made at the work session that was held on January 5^th to discuss this matter.  He said that in the past week he had been contacted regarding a dog found in town which had not been licensed and due to not knowing who the owner was, he had to take the dog to Headwaters Animal Shelter and it will cost the City $70 if the dog is not claimed.

·        Eric is getting bids on storage/evidence cabinets in the police office.

·        Eric shared the 2008 Akeley Police Budget information with the Council and stated that the police department came in under budget including wages and salaries and that he will continue to work closely with the clerk’s office to make sure this happens again this year.

·        Mike Kamnicar, head engineer for MN DOT was contacted by Eric concerning the issue of engine brakes.  MN DOT will put up signs (which the City will have to buy) and they will provide information to the police department concerning decibel limits.

·        Eric said that before the police department had scheduled the youth dances, it was his understanding that the DJ expenses would be covered but he was recently informed that it was a misunderstanding.  The income made from the dances so far has paid for the DJ’s at the first dance and for food, pop and party favors.  Eric asked the Council if they would consider having money from the community fund help pay for the last two dances and possibly a future dance.  Some discussion took place regarding whether the police department and City should take care of handling the deposits and expenses paid for these youth dances or if another organization would be willing to take it over.  Council members said they liked the idea that Eric and reserve officer Travis Carlson were involved but asked if there was some other organization that could handle it.  Eric Klein said that he had talked to the LMC and to the City Auditor about the situation and the City Auditor said it would be alright to have the police department/City handle it; however Eric said that he would attend the next C & C meeting to see if they would be interested in taking it over.

 

Motion by Scott Vettleson seconded by Brian Hitchcock and carried to approve to table until the next meeting whether money should be used from the community fund to help fund the police youth dances.

 

·        Eric thanked the Target Corporation for two lap top computers that had been donated.  He had received an email from the MN Chief’s of Police Association concerning the 300-400 laptops being donated to law enforcement agencies and after writing to them, he received two for the police department free of charge.

·        Eric also thanked the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and Chief Deputy Birch for their donation of a Mobile Vision In Squad Camera and a 911 Millennium Light Bar.  He commended reserve officer Travis Carlson for his effort in making telephone calls to other law enforcement agencies to see if there was any equipment available for the police department.  Travis had spoken with Chief Deputy Birch who stated that they were updating their equipment and the Akeley Police Department could have the light bar and camera free of charge.  Eric noted that the current light bar on the squad car had been drawing too much power causing alternators to burn out and that the current camera in the squad car had not been working properly.

·        Eric thanked past councilor Frank Lamb for his years of service to the City of Akeley and welcomed Mayor Scott Vettleson and Councilman Troy Hegg and then encouraged all members of the Akeley City Council to come into the Police Department for any reason and to keep the communication open.

 

Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Scott Vettleson and carried to set a work session Tuesday, January 20^th at 7:00 PM to cover the Park Manager Contract.

 

Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Troy Hegg and carried to approve the mileage rate of 55¢ per mile.

 

Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Troy Hegg and carried to approve to have packets ready for the Council by 4:00 PM on the Thursday prior to the scheduled council meeting.

 

The council agreed that the agenda should be ready by the Wednesday prior to the scheduled council meeting. 

 

Old Business

 

None

 

New Business

 

Jon Johnson stated he thought it was wrong to not allow comments from the public until the end of the meeting. 

 

Vern Peterson stated that one of the primary concerns of the Horizon’s Leadership Plenty group is they would like to see a beautiful sign placed on the open lot of the Highway 34/64 intersection.  He was wondering if that lot could come back to the City of Akeley and asked the Council if they would talk to the city attorney to see what it would take.  The Council suggested that this be discussed at the work session when the park manager contract is discussed.

 

Frank Thelin said he would like to see the commissioner of each department head sit down regularly with them to review budgets and to discuss issues that need to be addressed in that department. 

 

Vern Peterson thanked all of the people who were present that have been attending the Horizon Group and Leadership Plenty meetings.  He also said he would like to see the City submit a worthwhile project to Itasca-Mantrap Operation Round Up^® for funding.  Operation Round Up^® awards grants to non-profit or community-based organizations that demonstrate a commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the region.  

 

Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Eric Sjolin and carried to adjourn at 8:15 PM.

 

Denise Rittgers                                                

Clerk Treasurer

City of Akeley

 

Wendy Klein

Deputy Clerk

City of Akeley