Also in attendance were the following: Herman Lensing, Jim Schulz, Tim Hennen, Ken Vanderweyst, Ashley Atkinson, Fritz Hoeschen, Ed Hennen, Jason Scherping, Sue Raden, Chris Walgren, and Mitch Anderson.

Staff persons on hand were Paul Hetland, Mark Middendorf, and Joel Dasher.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said by those in attendance.

Approval of Minutes

Humbert moved and Worms seconded a motion to approve the meeting minutes for December 10 and 17, 2003 and January 14, 2004 with corrections. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Sign Support

Ashley Atkinson requested support of her sign project to earn her Gold Award with the Girl Scouts. Humbert moved and Worms seconded a motion to support Ashley Atkinson's continued effort to place a welcome sign near the Lake Wobegone Trail in the City. Discussion offered. Motion carried

Report - Jim Schulz, SEH

Regarding the Main Street 2005 project, Schulz brought maps and documents regarding options that have been previously discussed by the Road Projects Committee and at previous Council meetings. Schulz outlined three water line proposals and one sewer line proposal. The options, in brief, are as follows:

  • Option 1: Open trench entire distance, direct bore services to businesses. Cost $479,320. Additional construction days - 5
  • Option 2: Directional bore lines in front of most businesses, open trench the rest and directional bore in services to businesses. Cost $516,065. Additional construction days - 0
  • Option 3: Open trench most of main street, place lines behind eastern businesses. Cost $515,768. Additional construction days - 7

Much discussion took place among those present regarding the three options and variant options. Mitch Anderson, Stearns County Engineer was present and discussed road policies and answered questions. State aid highways, the road expense is covered from curb to curb. On county roads, only the center 24 feet is covered. He mentioned that work would depend on the City's intentions for the replacement of water and sewer services. He also mentioned that the process of working with the underlying concrete, either  "rubblizing" or removal, may likely cause damage to the water and sewer lines. With that information and knowledge that the lines have been in existence since 1951, it was generally agreed that service need to be replaced as a part of this project.

It was mentioned by Council that property owners should expect to be assessed for this project not unlike other public improvement projects. Those present understood and residential property owners present conveyed their wishes for curb and gutter if they are going to be assessed.

By the end of the meeting, the consensus was to trench the area on the south side of Main Street and directional bore in service to the businesses east of 1st Avenue on the north side.

Report - Chris Walgren, Utility Services Company - Water Tower

Chris Walgren, Utility Services Company was present to deliver his report on the total condition of our water tower. Walgren presented pictures and a booklet in is report. He reported that generally the tower is in good condition considering its age. He note a few recommendations. They are as follows: install flat plates at the base of the tower to prevent climbing, place a screen at the end of the downspout to prevent animals from entering the tank, and that the tower would probably last 40-50 years. The other recommendations are noted on the report and are a mix of federal, national association, and their company's guidelines. Walgren stated that he would further outline which of his listed recommendations originate from which source. As a general rule Walgren sees in his travels, typically cities with a population of 1000 or more have a 200,000 gallon water tower. Staff has requested that SEH calculate our water usage and projections to help make a determination on the prospects of purchasing another water tower. Council made no formal actions, but appreciated the report and instructed staff to work on some of the minor repairs as suggested on Walgren's report.

Report - Joel Dasher, Maintenance Worker

Dasher provided a written report which is on file for review. Regarding the water system, he reported that plumbing repairs were made to the Creamery Well, flushing of the lines by Famo Feeds, and findings from our recent water security system seminar held in the City. On waste water, he reported no frozen lines this season and two service lines were backed-up. On snow removal, Kemper has been on-time and doing a fine job. He also wished to recognize Mark Middendorf for his expertise and work in the last two days of clean-up.

Report - Paul Hetland, City Clerk/Treasurer

Hetland provided a written report which is on file for review. His report included updates on the JOBZ program, City Hall project, Water Security Meeting, Stearns County Municipal League meeting, Beutz Radiator Service, Senior Center Work request, water and waste water charges, major and EDA pay/stipend, auditor research, conference attendance requests and appraisal for the city hall/fire hall.

Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve of the city clerk/treasurer attending the PERA, MCFOA, U of M Econ workshop, and grant writing events. Discussion offered. Mileage will be requested after each of the events, but no lodging will be required. Motion carried.

Hetland requested that an earlier motion be replaced with a new one to help protect him and the City in the transferring of City funds. Thelen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to establish City policy that no city funds shall be transferred out of the financial institution without prior Council approval, but that funds within the institution may be transferred using standard accounting practices and within appropriate federal and state regulations. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Thelen requested a city policy regarding city official comments on approved city projects once plans are set and approved. Goebel moved and Humbert seconded a motion that all questions and inquiries regarding the interpretation of plans and specifications on approved city projects, shall be forwarded to the city engineer for the appropriate response and direction. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

2004 Budget

Hetland presented the updated budget information for the General, EDA, Water, and Waste Water accounts. Thelen commented that he and Hetland had met earlier in the day and the budget and recommended approval. Humbert moved and Worms seconded approval of the 2004 budget which is outlined as General $330,716.00, EDA $96,117.50, Water $67,200.00, and Waste Water $74,900.00. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

New Business

Worms moved and Humbert seconded a motion approving the claims as presented in the amount of $38,510.68. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

At 12:35 A..M. January 29, 2004 Goebel moved and Thelen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.