Agenda

Humbert moved and Joe Hennen seconded a motion approving the meeting agenda. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Approval Of The Minutes

Balderston moved and Humbert seconded a motion approving the meeting minutes for August 12, 2008.  Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Consent Agenda

Balderston moved and Humbert seconded a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following: Claims in the amount of $12,602.46, claims for employee payroll in the amount of $6635.61, Resolution 2008-019 to authorize the City Clerk to begin the Administrative Assistant hiring process, and the 2008 Amended appointments.  Council and Staff discussed amending the bulk water load system in the City. No action was taken. No action taken on it. Motion carried 5-0.

New Business

Open Public Forum

No one addressed Council.

Claims for employee vacation payout in the amount of $4192.40

Council Member Joe Hennen brought forward concerns about the employee requested vacation time pay out. Discussion followed about the inability to take vacation time hours by Hetland due to the amount of overtime accumulated from the staff changes in 2008 and other duties unique to this year such as the Election. Discussion also included regulating City Hall hours to allow staff to work uninterrupted and ensure vacation time is used for time away from work. Hetland noted that there is public activity throughout the posted hours and that a shift in the administrative assistant's time to the end of the day would allow Hetland time to leave early for out-of-office duties or for time off as to not accrue as much overtime hours.

Balderston moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve the pay out of vacation and personal hours in the amount of $4192.40 to Paul Hetland. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Comprehensive Plan - Economic Development

Proposed Zoning Changes

Hetland gave an overview of the previously distributed proposed zoning maps for Council discussion. In addition to the map's proposed zoning changes, Council also discussed making the following changes: extending C1 zoning south to the northerly line of Black Sox Park, adding a retail lumberyard clause to the I1 section of Chapter V in City Code, changing the R2 area along Main Street East to R1, and eliminating the R2 designation off of 1st Avenue S. There was also discussion on creating a system of monitoring rental units in the City. Hetland was asked to make the suggested modifications to the proposed zoning map for future Council review and discussion.

Weight Restrictions on City Streets

Hetland brought forward a report from Jim Schulz regarding vehicle axel weight on tar roads. The report did conclude that large vehicles add significant wear and tear on roads with the vehicles being regulated or the roads being built to accommodate the weight loads. Council also discussed an example made by a citizen that weight would not control vehicles with flammable and hazardous substances. The point was well-taken as something that could be included as a prohibition on residential City streets. Council concluded that there should be no semi-trailers, no trucks with flammable and dangerous materials, and no overnight parking of combination units over 50 feet in length. Hetland stated that he would incorporate the suggested changes in a proposed ordinance for Council review at the next meeting.

Old Business

Industrial Park Project - Improvement for drainage

Worms brought forward a changed bid from Butch Thull's accepted bid for the Industrial Drive drainage project. The bid was increased by $5360. Worms also reported that Thull was not certain he could complete the project by the October 31 deadline or perhaps even in 2008. By acclimation Council rejected the previously accepted bid from Thull Excavating from May 13, 2008 and to begin a new bidding process. Several local excavating companies were mentioned and the Mayor agreed to report back at the next meeting.

Reports

City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Paul Hetland

Hetland provided a written report that is on file for review.

Public Works Director's Report, Keith Koehler

Koehler provided a written report that is on file for review.

At 9:39 P.M. Worms moved and Humbert seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.