Open Public Forum
No public comment was given.
Consent Agenda
K. Goebel moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following: Approval of the agenda; approval of the minutes from the October 25th, 2011 Regular Council Meeting; approval of the claims distributed on October 19, 2011 in the amount of $595.51; approval of the claims distributed on October 24, 2011 in the amount of $489,143.70; approval of the claims distributed on October 31, 2011 in the amount of $40,293.02; approval of the claims distributed on November 7, 2011 in the amount of $11,389.52; approval of the claims distributed on November 15, 2011 in the amount of $14,709.82; approval of the claims distributed on November 17, 2011 in the amount of $4,483.14; and approval of the claims distributed on November 18, 2011 in the amount of $117,496.00. Motion carried 5-0.
Old Business
Utility Billing Changes
Holthaus reviewed the cost analysis for monthly, bi-monthly and quarterly billing with a post card instead of full page bills. Holthaus reviewed software components that would reduce the administrative cost of billing more frequently. USDA approved the additional software.
Hennen moved and Ritter seconded a motion to authorize purchase of the ACH module, barcode module, barcode scanner and stand, and the AMR interface for the handheld meter reading system to be refunded through USDA-RD. Motion carried 5-0.
Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to authorize a monthly utility billing cycle beginning in January of 2012. Motion carried 5-0.
New Business
Public Hearing: Variance Request for Nathan & Julie Robertson, 211 Main Street East
Worms opened the hearing at 7:12 PM. No public was present to speak on the proposed variance. Council discussed the details of the matter. Worms closed the hearing at 7:16 PM.
Resolution 2011-057: Variance Request for Nathan & Julie Robertson, 211 Main Street East
K. Goebel moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2011-057: Variance for Nathan & Julie Robertson, 211 Main Street East. A roll call vote was taken: K. Goebel – aye; C. Goebel, aye; Hennen – aye; Ritter – aye; and Worms – aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Public Hearing: Vacation of 6th Street Northwest
Worms opened the hearing at 7:17 PM.
Mike and Jean Rennecker were present to discuss the proposed vacation of 6th Street Northwest. The Rennecker’s were concerned about access to western parcels and matters concerning the division of the land. Holthaus explained that case law dictates how land is divided when vacated without petition. Council directed Holthaus to look into the division of the land and the impact to Rennecker’s driveway.
K. Goebel moved and Hennen seconded a motion to continue the Hearing on the Vacation of 6th Street Northwest at the December 27, 2011 meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
Resolution 2011-058: Vacate 6th Street Northwest (Norman Road in Hoppe Addition)
(Postponed until December 27, 2011)
Public Hearing: Ordinance 2011-012, An Ordinance Regulating Storm Sewer Disposal
Worms opened the hearing at 7:40 PM.
Holthaus reviewed the language in the proposed ordinance. The proposed ordinance would require residents to connect storm sewer discharge pipes to City storm sewer inlets, when a stand pipe and connection point is provided by the City. The 2nd/3rd Street Northwest project area will be the first section of town where the service is available and mandated.
Worms closed the hearing at 7:49 PM.
Resolution 2011-059: Approving Ordinance 2011-012, Private Drains
Hennen moved and Ritter seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2011-059: Approving Ordinance 2011-012, Private Drains with edited section to read “Upon availability, the discharge pipe must be connected to an available storm sewer inlet provided by the City”. Motion carried 5-0.
Public Hearing: Ordinance 2011-011, An Ordinance Establishing Municipal Fees (continuation on December 27th, 2011)
Holthaus reviewed changes to the 2012 fee schedule. Holthaus will implement fire department charges and utility rate increases for the 2010 Water System Improvement Project for review on December 27th.
Resolution 2011-060: Stearns County Payment Application No. 3
Blommel reported that Kim Lucas reviewed the quantities with Stearns County staff.
K. Goebel moved and Hennen seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2011-060: Stearns County Payment Application No. 3. Motion carried 5-0.
Resolution 2011-061: Abdo, Eick & Meyer Engagement Proposal for 2011 Financial Statement Preparation & Audit
Holthaus will complete the State Auditor Reporting Form proposed at $575. In addition, a single audit will be required as a grant condition of USDA-RD for $2,500. Holthaus explained that Abdo would commit to a two year renewal with no cost increase for 2013, if approved by Council.
Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2011-061: Abdo, Eick & Meyer Engagement Proposal for 2011 adding a single audit at $2,500, removing the State Auditor Report for $575 and granting a two year renewal with no cost increase in 2013. Motion carried 5-0.
Resolution 2011-062: 2012 Final Budget & Tax Levy
Holthaus reviewed the impact of the State Legislature’s implementation of the Market Value Exclusion Program. Holthaus explained the benefits of an alternative debt management system which would consolidate general obligation debt service funds and result in more static tax levies for debt service. An additional benefit would be decreased pressure on the 2012 tax levy.
Members will continue discussion on the 2012 budget and tax levy at the December 27, 2011 meeting. No action was taken on Resolution 2011-062.
Reports
City Engineer, S.E.H. – Scott Lange, Dave Blommel
Resolution 2011-064: Dakota Supply Group, Payment Application No. 1
Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2011-063: Dakota Supply Group, Payment Application No. 1. Motion carried 5-0.
Resolution 2011-063: J.R. Ferche, Inc., Payment Application No. 4
Blommel reported that all punch list items were resolved aside from the wear course and site cleanup which will be completed in the spring.
Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2011-063: J.R. Ferche, Inc. Payment Application No. 4. Motion carried 5-0.
Public Works Report, Jon Stueve
Stueve reported that new well house equipment was installed the week prior. Stueve brought used meters to the recycling center. Stueve noted that Holdingford reported increased flows with new meters, as old meters become corroded and plugged.
City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, Vicki Holthaus
Holthaus explained that an additional hearing would be necessary to resolve nuisance complaints brought from residents that discharge sump pump drains into the street causing street and curb repair.
Worms moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion calling a public hearing on Ordinance 2012-001, Misdemeanors. The hearing will be set for January 31, 2012. Motion carried 5-0.
Holthaus reviewed the Health Partner’s renewal document for coverage in 2012. Less than a 1% increase was quoted for medical coverage.
Worms moved and Hennen seconded a motion to approve the renewal from Health Partners. Motion carried 5-0.
Hennen moved and Ritter seconded a motion setting the rental for City Hall at $35 during normal business hours, rentals after business hours are at the discretion of the City Clerk. Motion carried 5-0.
At 8:54 P.M. Worms moved and Hennen seconded a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
