MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
Call to Order. Mayor Ted Shaw called the Wednesday, October 14, 2009, Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council to Order. After calling the meeting to Order, Mayor Shaw asked those in attendance to join with the City Council in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. In addition to Mayor Shaw the following City Councilors were in attendance: Bill Carlson, Curt Yort and Beth Virden. City Councilors absent: Kris Huso. Also in attendance was City Administrator David Talbot, Jr., and Moose Lake Power [Water and Light] Commission Office Manager Deb Mohelski.
Upon being seated, Mayor Shaw asked if there were any additions or changes to the Agenda that members of the City Council or the Administration wished to present at this time. Hearing none, Mayor Ted Shaw stated that he, Mayor Shaw, would entertain a Motion to approve the Agenda. Under a Motion being made by City Councilor Bill Carlson, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered by City Councilor Beth Virden, the Agenda, was approved unanimously via voice vote. [4-0].
Minutes. Mayor Shaw reported that the Official Minutes from the September 09, 2009, Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council have been completed and are presented for formal adoption as part of the Agenda. Mayor Shaw went on to state that the Minutes from the Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake Power [Water and Light] Commission that was held on September 14, 2009, and October 12, 2009, are presented and marked as ‘informational’ in that they are presented to update the City Council about the operations of the City’s Electric Utility Enterprise Fund and they do not need to be approved by formal action of the City Council. Mayor Shaw went on to state that the Agenda also contained the Minutes from two [2] Special Meetings of the Moose Lake Power [Water and Light] Commission that were held on September 22, 2009, and October 01, 2009.
City Councilor Bill Carlson commented that the Agenda contained the Minutes from several Special Meetings where the Moose Lake City Council was in attendance, but only the Minutes from the Moose Lake Power [Water and Light] Commission were presented. City Administrator Talbot disrespectfully stated that there was no need to created duplicate Minutes, and given the fact that no decision was made, they, the Minutes, are informational in nature. Later in the meeting, City Administrator Talbot apologized to City Councilor Carlson.
A Motion was made by City Councilor Bill Carlson, and with a second to the Motion being made and introduced by City Councilor Beth Virden, the aforementioned delineated Minutes were approved, if and when required. Approved unanimously via voice vote. [4-0].
Consent Agenda Adoption. Mayor Shaw offered the adoption of the Consent Agenda for the Wednesday, October 14, 2009, Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council under a single Motion from the floor, which includes acceptance of the Accounts Payable for October, and the Financial Statements and the Municipal Liquor Store - Profit and Loss Statement for the month of September. Under a Motion made by City Councilor Beth Virden, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered by City Councilor Curt Yort, the Consent Agenda was adopted and was approved unanimously via voice vote of the Moose Lake City Council. [4-0].
Petitions, Complaints and Presentation of Claims.
Reports of Officers.
1. Project Summary Report - City Engineer and Architect (LHB Memorandum). The report is self-explanatory in its design and presentation, and unless the members of the City Council have questions on any of the projects delineated therein, the document should be viewed as being informational in nature and does not require any formal action or acceptance by the Moose Lake City Council. In addition to the normal monthly City Engineer Report, copies of the MnPCA Monthly Project Update, and Sanitary Sewer Project Weekly Construction Meeting Minutes were also included in the Agenda packet. The Moose Lake City Council and the City Administrator spent a considerable amount of time reviewing these documents and commenting on the progress of the Sanitary Sewer Collection and Treatment System[s].
2. City Attorney - Monthly Summary. The preparation and submission of this report is intended to provide the City Council and the public with information regarding the status of matters presently before, and being handled by, the City Attorney. Like the previous report, this report is self-explanatory in its design and presentation and therefore, unless the members of the City Council have specific questions on any of the matters delineated therein, the document should be viewed as being informational in nature and does not require any action or formal acceptance by the Moose Lake City Council.
Unfinished Business.
1. City Personnel Policy. [no action taken]
2. Moose Lake GIS Project. [no action taken]
New Business.
1. Oath of Office - City Council Appointment [Ms. Beth Virden]. After opening the meeting, and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Mayor Ted Shaw introduced Ms. Beth Virden to those in attendance at the meeting, and to those viewing the proceedings of the City Council Meeting via public access cable television. Ms. Virden took the Oath of Office and Mayor Ted Shaw and the members of the Moose Lake City Council offered their, the Council’s, congratulations. For the record, City Administrator Talbot reported that there were three [3] applicants for the City Council seat vacated by Mr. John Unzen. City Administrator Talbot concluded by saying that he was looking forward to working with Ms. Virden and that she, Virden, will prove to be an excellent addition to the Moose Lake City Council.
2. Penalty Provision - City Ordinance Violations. City Administrator Talbot reported to the Moose Lake City Council that although he, City Administrator Talbot, has been working with City Attorney Doran to draft the documents necessary to upgrade the City’s Ordinances, the documents are not yet completed. City Administrator Talbot went on to state that each and every Ordinance has to be reviewed and then an amending Ordinance has to be drafted. When asked by Mayor Ted Shaw what the recommendation would be regarding this matter, City Administrator Talbot stated that the matter should be Tabled until the next meeting. Based upon the recommendation of City Administrator Talbot, a Motion was introduced by City Councilor Curt Yort, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered for consideration by City Councilor Beth Virden, the matter was Tabled via a unanimous voice vote of the Moose Lake City Council. [4-0].
3. Adoption of Water, Sewer and Electric Utility Ordinance - City Ordinance No 152. City Administrator Talbot stated that City Ordinance No 152 has been reviewed by the City Administration, but according to Office Manager Deb Mohelski, several changes are being proposed by the Moose Lake Power [Water and Light] Commission. City Councilor Yort stated that even with a recommendation from the Commission, he, Yort, was reluctant to act at this time given the fact that the City Council just received this information. Therefore, with a Motion being made by City Councilor Curt Yort, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered for consideration by City Councilor Bill Carlson, City Ordinance No 152 was Tabled until the November Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council. Approved unanimously via voice vote of the Moose Lake City Council. [4-0].
4. Resolution No 09-10-01 - Resolution Acknowledging the Expiration of Tax Increment Financing District No 1-2 [AmericInn Motel] of the City of Moose Lake, Minnesota. City Administrator Talbot reported that Tax Increment District No 1-2, which is one of four [4] TIF Districts, has expired based upon the passage of time and the completion of the objectives originally laid out by the Moose Lake City Council. As stated in the body of the Resolution, all property taxes generated by property within the District will be distributed in the same manner as all other property taxes. When asked, City Administrator Talbot reported that the only parcel within the District relates to the AmericInn Motel Project. None of the other parcels in the Park Place Addition were included within the Tax Increment District. Under a Motion being made by City Councilor Beth Virden, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered for consideration by City Councilor Bill Carlson, City Resolution No 09-10-01, is hereby adopted and passed. Approved by the Moose Lake City Council via unanimous voice vote. [4-0]
5. Resolution No 09-10-02 - Resolution Amending the Minnesota Public Finance [PFA] Application from the Wastewater Pollution Control Revolving Loan Fund. By previous action of the Moose Lake City Council, Mayor Ted Shaw and City Administrator Talbot were given the authority to confer with the Mn PFA regarding funding and financing for a portion of Phase II of the Sanitary Sewer Collection System improvements. As indicated in the Resolution, the estimated cost to construct the ‘Upper’ Lakeshore Drive portion of the overall plan is $244,736.50. According to City Administrator Talbot, time is of the essence in that the PFA is treating this request for funding as a separate application and loan. There being no further discussion or questions raised, a Motion to approve Resolution No 09-10-02, was introduced by City Councilor Bill Carlson, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered for consideration by City Councilor Beth Virden, the Resolution was approved. Approved unanimously via voice vote of the Moose Lake City Council. [4-0].
6. Police Officer Resignation - Mr. Russell French. Mayor Shaw stated that the City Administration is in receipt of a correspondence from Mr. Russell, the intent of which is to notify the City of his resignation from the position of Police Officer. Mayor Shaw and the Moose Lake City Council expressed their, the City Council’s, appreciation for Mr. French’s service to the community and wished him well in his new endeavor with the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office. Under a Motion being made by City Councilor Beth Virden, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered by City Councilor Bill Carlson, the resignation of Mr. Russell French was approved, with regret. Approved unanimously via voice vote by the Moose Lake City Council. [4-0].
Communications.
1. Moose Lake - Windemere Sanitary Sewer District Project Overview. Mayor Ted Shaw commented on the correspondence from the Moose Lake - Windemere Sanitary Sewer District included in the Agenda packet. Mayor Shaw went on to state that the City’s representatives and the District’s representatives have been working diligently together to resolve a number and variety of issues and to formulate a ‘draft’ agreement for the treatment of the District’s sewerage treated by the City of Moose Lake. Mayor Ted Shaw concluded by stating that it would be timely for the Moose Lake City Council, meeting as a whole, to meet with the full Board of the District. Members of the Moose Lake City Council expressed their appreciation to Mayor Ted Shaw, City Administrator Talbot, and City Attorney Marguerite Doran, for the outcomes that have been expressed to date. In conclusion, City Administrator Talbot was asked to work with the District staff to set up a Joint Special Meeting. City Administrator Talbot reported that he would be happy to do so.
2. Ehlers Financial Market Commentary. Informational in nature, no action required.
3. Mercy Hospital and Healthcare Center - Nursing Home and Assisted Living Sale Update. Members of the Moose Lake City Council expressed their interest and concern regarding the aforementioned subject and requested Mayor Ted Shaw and City Administrator Talbot to meet with representatives from Mercy Hospital and Healthcare Center.
Announcements.
Mayor Shaw reported that the next Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council would be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Shaw went on to report that the next regular meeting of the Moose Lake Planning Commission would be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 5:00 p.m., if a meeting is needed. All of the aforementioned meetings will be held in the City Council/Town Board Chambers in the Moose Lake Civic and Community Center, located at 313 Elm Avenue, Moose Lake, Minnesota.
Adjournment.
There being no further business to come before the Moose Lake City Council, Mayor Ted Shaw called for a Motion to Adjourn the Wednesday, October 14, 2009, Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council. A Motion to Adjourn was introduced by City Councilor Curt Yort, and a second to the Motion to Adjourn was made and offered by City Councilor Beth Virden. Meeting adjourned by Mayor Ted Shaw.
Respectfully submitted,
David R. Talbot, Jr.
City Administrator