AKELEY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 13, 2009
7:00 PM CITY HALL
MAY AGENDA
1. Call the Meeting to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approve Consent Agenda of…
a)
Minutes from April 8th Regular Meeting & April
29th Work Session
b)
April 2009 Treasurer’s Report
c)
April 2009 Bills for Payment from Check # 5393 to Check #
5491 including Automatic Bank Payments
4. Kathy Duclos – C & C – Summer Market and “Fall Has It
All”
5. Tania Sorvisto – Owner of Pot Bellied Pig
6. Elaine Kelsey – Senior Citizens – Regarding Use of
Kitchen
7. Monte Eastvold – Northland Securities – Refinancing
Update
8. Review Gravel Bids
9. Liquor Store Dram Shop Insurance Renewal
10. Bob Winner – Liquor Store Report
11. Frank Thelin – Water/Sewer/Maintenance Report
12. Eric Klein – Police Report
13. Old Business
14. New Business/Public Forum
15. Adjourn
AKELEY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 13, 2009
7:00 PM CITY HALL
The Akeley City Council met in a regular meeting Wednesday May
13, 2009 at 7:00 pm. Mayor Scott Vettleson called the meeting
to order. Council members present were: Troy Hegg, Jon Johnson
and Jennifer Mitchell. Cliff Johnson was absent. The Pledge of
Allegiance was recited by the Council and attending audience.
Motion by Troy Hegg seconded by Jennifer Mitchell and carried to
approve the consent agenda consisting of the April regular
meeting and April work session meeting minutes, the April 2009
treasurer’s report and the April bills paid from check #5393 to
check # 5491 including automatic bank payments.
Kathy Duclos was present on behalf of the Akeley C&C to get
permission to have the Summer Market at Paul’s Patio on Fridays
(with exception of June 26th) beginning May 22nd
through October 2nd from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Kathy
also stated the Akeley C&C is joining the cities of Walker,
Hackensack and Longville for “Fall Has It All”. The Classic Car
Tour will begin in Walker; come to Akeley for about an hour, go
to Hackensack, then to Longville and end up at the casino on
September 18th and 19th, September 26th
& 27th and October 3rd & 4th.
While the cars are in Akeley, the C&C would like to have the
cars parked diagonally in front of Paul Bunyan Park for an hour
show.
Motion by Jennifer Mitchell seconded by Troy Hegg and carried to
approve the C&C sponsored Summer Market at Paul’s Patio on
Fridays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM beginning May 22 through
October 2nd and the Fall Has It All Classic Car Tour
on September 18th & 19th, 26th
& 27th and October 3rd & 4th.
Tania Sorvisto was present with her two daughters and Ben Taylor
to ask the Council if they could keep their pot bellied pig
which they got as a pet a few months ago not knowing that there
was an ordinance which did not allow pot bellied pigs in town.
Discussion was held and Mayor Vettleson said he was concerned of
unknown health risks. Jennifer Mitchell stated that pot bellied
pigs are sold in pet stores. Tania and Ben said they would get
the required vaccinations and purchase a license if they could
keep the pig.
Motion by Jennifer Mitchell seconded by Troy Hegg and failed to
carry to change section 91.01 of the Akeley City Code of
Ordinances to allow pot bellied pigs to be included under
domestic animals rather than farm animals. Mayor Vettleson and
Jon Johnson both voted no.
Motion by Jon Johnson seconded by Troy Hegg and carried to table
a decision to change section 91.01 of the Akeley City Code of
Ordinances to allow pot bellied pigs to be included under
domestic animals rather than farm animals until the next meeting
so that further investigation can take place but to allow Tania
Sorvisto to keep the pot bellied pig until a decision is made.
Elaine Kelsey, President of the Senior Citizens was on the
agenda regarding use of the kitchen but stated she had met with
the mayor previously and didn’t feel it was necessary to speak.
Monte Eastvold from Northland Securities was on the agenda to
give a refinancing update of the G.O. Water Revenue Bonds of
1996 but was not present. No action taken.
Gravel bids received by Warren Scouton and Galen Negen were
reviewed by the Council. The Council determined the cost per
yard from Warren Scouton would be $13.15 and the cost per yard
from Galen Negen would be $10.50.
Motion by Scott Vettleson seconded by Jon Johnson and carried to
accept Galen Negen’s bid of $10.50 per yard of gravel.
Liquor store dram insurance was up for renewal at a cost of
$3,405.53 through Wells Fargo Insurance Services of Minnesota,
Inc. Denise Rittgers noted that the cost had gone down almost
$2,000 from last year.
Motion by Jennifer Mitchell seconded by Jon Johnson and carried
to approve to pay $3,405.53 for liquor store dram insurance.
Liquor Store Report – Bob Winner
-
Bob stated that
the smoke shack windows have been getting broken out and he
wondered if the Council thought they should be replaced or
if they should keep them out and have the smoke shack more
like a patio. Mayor Vettleson said he thought the glass
should be taken out rather than replace it.
-
Bob said that he
had spoken with Steve Krotzer about the Paul Bunyan Statue
and said now would be the opportunity to have the statue
repaired since the people who would work on the statue are
all at home at this time. Bob said that Steve volunteered
his time to work on the statue and wondered how much money
the City could spend at this time to get the statue back in
shape. Some of the repair needed was due to vandalism
rather than normal wear and tear. Kathy Duclos suggested
using money that had been earmarked by the C&C for tennis
courts could be used to repair the statue. Mayor Vettleson
asked Jon Johnson to sit down and talk to the Krotzers about
the statue.
-
Bob presented to
the Council three quotes for security cameras at the liquor
store due to the vandalism which has taken place in and
around the liquor store. The Council wanted time to look at
the quotes so no decision was made.
-
Bob said that
Roger Curtis has a $2,000 2-keg Kegmeister for sale and
would sell it for $1,000. Bob said he thought it could be
used for celebrations such as Paul Bunyan Days and also said
that it is portable. Jennifer Mitchell suggested that Bob
come up with a list of events at which the Kegmeister could
be used.
-
Bob hired a new
part-time cleaner for the liquor store.
-
Bob stated that
business at the liquor store during fishing opener was down
this year in comparison to the last six years.
-
Bob said that one
of the TV’s had been taken out and a dart machine had been
put up in its place. He said he will be moving the TV
towards the back where it can still be viewed.
Water/Sewer/Maintenance Report - Frank Thelin
-
The fishing pier
and boat landing was discussed. Frank said the floats need
to be replaced on the pier and the DNR is obligated to
replace them but they do not have the manpower to do it.
Frank said he has the floats but needs people and
equipment. Galen Negen said he will look at what it would
take to get the fishing pier out. Frank will try to get
some volunteers together to get the pier out in the next
couple of days.
-
The water has
been turned on at the campground and he has it metered in
two locations. Frank says by metering the water he will be
able to tell if there are leaks or not.
-
Frank said he
received a rough draft of the capital improvement plan from
Ulteig. He would like the council to look at it and see if
any changes should be made and then it will have to be
approved so that Ulteig could set it up.
-
The irrigator is
not running at this time and Frank is looking into possible
reasons.
-
Frank said he is
in the process of getting estimates for FEMA for Crow Wing
Lake Drive, 2nd Ave. and Hulet and some washouts
by the campground due to spring thaw damage to the roads.
Once he receives the estimates he will send them to FEMA and
get the process going to get the roads repaired back to the
condition they were in before the spring thaw.
-
Jon Johnson asked
if the $1,000 that had been approved last year for gravel at
the campground had been spent. Frank Thelin replied that it
had not been.
Police Report - Eric Klein
·
Eric provided bids for the squad truck body repair
to the Council. Estimates to fix areas on the squad to
eliminate the rust and re-paint ranged from $871.91 to $1,397
and to have fender flares installed would cost about $550 but
would then only cover the issue. Jon Johnson stated he would
like to see the job done right the first time because the truck
needs to last five or ten years. Mayor Vettleson suggested
that Jon Johnson look at the truck with Eric and determine what
should be done to repair the truck.
·
The parade permit was approved and has been
received for Paul Bunyan Days.
·
Eric said he will get together with the C&C to
discuss Akeley clean up days.
·
Eric said he was acting on behalf of Andrea Thelin
who is involved with the SAFE Program and could not make it to
the meeting. He said this year there is enough funding to offer
20 hours of the program each week from mid June until mid August
but the number of hours per week has decreased in the past two
years due to the reduction in funding. Last year Eric said the
Council gave $500 to the SAFE Program from the Community Fund to
help out with costs since the program benefits kids in the
Akeley/Nevis area. Eric asked the Council if they would like to
have beach patrol again this summer and said that it worked well
the past two years having police presence and interaction with
the kids. He provided cost information to have beach patrol
last year and stated that it had been paid for out of the
Community Fund.
·
The Akeley Lions and Police Department are having
a bike safety class on Saturday, May 16th at 1:00
PM. There will be instructional videos, drawings for prizes, 4
bicycles to give away and ice cream. During the summer the
police department will hand out prizes to bicycle riders
demonstrating good riding habits.
·
Eric stated that notices were placed in the water
billings to remind all residents if their yards need to be
cleaned up that they should take time to do so since he will be
enforcing the blight ordinance.
Old Business
Mayor Vettleson stated that based on the letter the City of
Akeley had received from City Attorney Steve Bolton regarding
contributions to private entities; his recommendation was to not
donate money to the Paul Bunyan Days Committee.
Motion by Scott Vettleson seconded by Jennifer Mitchell and
carried to not pay the Paul Bunyan Days Committee a $4,000
donation requested at the May 13th meeting.
New Business
Mayor Vettleson read a letter from the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency congratulating the City of Akeley and Frank
Thelin for meeting the criteria for recognition of the
outstanding operation, maintenance and compliance of the
wastewater treatment system.
Mayor Vettleson said he met with the Senior Citizens earlier
about renting the meeting room. He said currently the charge is
$25 for use of the meeting room without the kitchen and $50 for
use of the meeting room and kitchen and he would like to see the
cost for the meeting room and kitchen changed to $60. He would
like to see $50 go to the City and $10 go to the Senior Citizens
for use of their appliances.
Motion by Scott Vettleson seconded by Troy Hegg and carried to
approve Ordinance No. 03-09 “An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No.
101 A Schedule Of Fees And Charges For Various Services,
Licenses And Permits For The City Of Akeley, Minnesota” which
changes meeting hall rental with kitchen use from $50 to $60,
with $50 going to the City of Akeley and $10 going to the Senior
Citizens for use of their appliances.
Troy Hegg spoke on Cliff Johnson’s behalf requesting $350 from
the General Fund for community sign beautification. He said
that plants were being donated but asked if the City of Akeley
could pay for 3 loads of rock and the landscaping felt. Vern
Peterson recommended that in the future solar lighting be
considered so that the signs are lit up at night.
Motion by Troy Hegg seconded by Jennifer Mitchell and carried to
approve $350 from the General Fund for 3 truckloads of rock and
landscaping felt for the 3 community signs.
Rich Wilhaus asked if anyone had spoken with the Lions Club
about the community signs because they are planning to put
shrubbery around them. Troy said this was Cliff’s project
through the Horizon’s Group so wasn’t sure if he had spoken with
the Lions or not.
Rich Wilhaus asked what the status was of the 10:00 PM whistle
since he hasn’t heard it anymore. Frank Thelin stated that it
would take a lot of money to fix and at a council meeting last
year it had been decided not to fix it. Frank says the timer on
the whistle is completely shot and that the whistle will still
sound in the event of a tornado or other emergencies but has to
be run manually.
Jon Johnson said he spoke with Campground Manager Greg Everett
this past week and feels the City needs to devise a budget to
update the campground. He said right now the campground
provides 30 amp service but there are some motor homes which
require 50 amp service, waterlines at the campground need to be
repaired and more class 5 is needed at the campground. Jon said
he thinks an immediate update to the campground is to get lights
at the bathrooms down at the beach. Mayor Vettleson would like
Jon as the park commissioner to look at what is needed and to
come up with a plan.
Motion by Jon Johnson seconded by Jennifer Mitchell and carried
to adjourn at 8:35 PM.
Denise Rittgers
Clerk Treasurer
City of Akeley
Wendy Klein
Deputy Clerk
City of Akeley
