MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
Call to Order. Mayor Ted Shaw called the Wednesday, April 08, 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: Kris Huso, Bill Carlson and Curt Yort. City Councilors absent: John Unzen. Also in attendance was City Administrator David Talbot, Jr.
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. City Administrator Talbot reported that there was one [1] additional item that needed to be added to the Agenda, and that item is as follows: New Business., item 7. Legislative Services and Stimulus Grant Proposal Preparation. With that being stated, Mayor Shaw stated that he would entertain a Motion to accept the Agenda., as amended. Under a Motion being made by City Councilor Kris Huso, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered by City Councilor Yort, the Agenda was approved unanimously via voice vote. [4-0].
Minutes. Mayor Shaw reported that there were seven [7] items listed dated from December 10, 2008, through March 24, 2009, and all are marked ‘to come’. When asked, City Administrator Talbot reported that the delay in having the Minutes prepared and presented was his, Talbot’s, responsibility and he, Talbot, ensured the Mayor and City Councilors that the aforementioned Minutes would be forthcoming as soon as possible and practical.
Consent Agenda Adoption. Mayor Shaw offered the adoption of the Consent Agenda for the April 08, 2009, Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council under a single Motion from the floor, which includes acceptance of the Accounts Payable for April, and the Financial Statements and the Municipal Liquor Store - Profit and Loss Statement for the month of March. Under a Motion made by City Councilor Bill Carlson, 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. [4-0].
Petitions, Complaints and Presentation of Claims. None.
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.
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. Marked ‘to come’.
Unfinished Business.
1. Penalty Provision - City Ordinance violation[s].
2. City Personnel Policy.
3. Sign Ordinance - City Zoning Ordinance No 104 - Article XX.
4. Adoption of the Water, Sewer and Electric Utility Ordinance - Ordinance No 152.
5. Livestock Ordinance.
6. Moose Lake GIS Project.
New Business.
1. Horizons Community Grant Project [Ms. Gerene Johnson]. Ms. Gerene Johnson, Coordinator for the Horizons Group appeared at the podium. Ms. Johnson stated that there is a great deal of misinformation that is circulating throughout the community and area and Ms. Johnson stated that she, Johnson, is here to rectify that situation and to provide information to the Moose Lake City Council. According to Ms. Johnson and the materials that were distributed earlier, Horizons is a community leadership program aimed at reducing poverty in small rural and reservation communities of populations of less than 5,000, persons. The Moose Lake City Council, and City Administrator Talbot engaged in a discussion and discourse with Ms. Johnson and thanked her for appearing and for providing pertinent information about the Horizons Group and the expectations of the participants.
2. Bureau of Mediation Services - Transfer of Certification of Exclusive Representative [Moose Lake Police Officers Association to Minnesota Teamster’s Public and Law Enforcement Employees Union No 320. As an informational matter, City Administrator Talbot reported that the former Moose Lake Area Police Officers Association is no longer in existence in that the members of the Moose Lake Police Department have held an election and will now be represented by the Teamster’s Union. When asked, City Administrator Talbot reported that no formal action or acceptance of the designation needed to be accomplished by a formal action of the Moose Lake City Council in that the change in exclusive representation is a matter of law and governed by Minnesota State Statute[s].
3. Public Petition for Roadway Improvements - Third and Hickory. The City of Moose Lake is in receipt of a valid petition from eight [8] residents who reside on, or adjacent to, Third Street and/or Hickory Avenue. The petitioners are seeking assistance from the City of Moose Lake regarding the maintenance of the street and avenue, and the petitioners are further requesting that the roadway be ‘tarred’. In these and other instances, the City Administrator has asked the Moose Lake City Council to accept the Petition and then by formal action, direct the City Administrator and City Engineer to review the petition and cause to prepare and submit to the Moose Lake City Council a report that delineates the opinion of City Officials and the cost to accomplish the request of the petitioners. With that being stated, a Motion was introduced by City Councilor Kris Huso, and with a second to the Motion being made by City Councilor Curt Yort, City Administrator Talbot is directed to carry out the aforementioned objectives and to report back to the Moose Lake City Council. Motion approved and carried by a unanimous voice vote of the Moose Lake City Council. [4-0].
4. 2009 Carlton County Recycling Facility Grant. Ms. Heather Cunningham, Recycling and Resource Coordinator for the County of Carlton has informed the Moose Lake City Administrator that the City will be receiving a grant in the amount of $3,000, to offset the cost of operating the City of Moose Lake Recycling Center. When asked, City Administrator Talbot reported that the actual cost of operating and staffing the Recycling Center is close to $5,000, and given the fact that the City of Moose Lake requires curbside pickup of refuse and recyclables, the City of Moose Lake is subsidizing the cost of operations for non-residents to bring their materials to the Moose Lake site. While the Moose Lake City Council is cognizant of this fact, it was stated that the funds were well spent if the existence of the facility was assisting in our efforts to ensure that recycling is carried out in an effort to keep the environment pure and the area cleanly. Under a Motion made and entered by City Councilor Curt Yort, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered for consideration by City Councilor Kris Huso, the 2009 SCORE grant, in the amount of $3,000, is formally accepted. Approved unanimously via voice vote of the Moose Lake City Council. [4-0].
5. 911 Emergency Response[s] - Display of Building Address Numbers. Mayor Ted Shaw stated that it has been brought to his attention while attending a Moose Lake Area Fire Protection District meeting that there is some concern in that many of the businesses and residences do not have formal addresses or street numbers affixed to buildings which makes it somewhat difficult at times for emergency response vehicles and delivery people to find specific and certain locations. City Administrator Talbot was asked by the Moose Lake City Council to work with the Police Department and the Moose Lake Area Chamber of Commerce in an effort to rectify this situation.
6. Ordinance No 127A - Ordinance Licensing and Regulating the Keeping of Cats and Dogs. According to City Administrator Talbot, the number of complains regarding dogs and cats has increased dramatically and therefore, City Administrator Talbot felt that it was important to provide a copy of the Ordinance to the Mayor and members of the Moose Lake City Council so that when they are called they will have the most current information available to them.
7. Legislative Services and Stimulus Grant Proposal Preparation. Mayor Ted Shaw stated that the Moose Lake Power [Water and Light] Commission has undertaken a huge project to expand the delivery of broadband and wireless internet service to under served and under utilized areas. City Councilor Bill Carlson, along with Mayor Ted Shaw and City Administrator Talbot have been meeting with a work group to assist the Commission with this endeavor. However, the size of the project and the complexity of the application to the federal government for financial assistance has become exhaustive and therefore outside assistance is required. With that being stated, Mayor Ted Shaw and City Councilor Bill Carlson respectfully request that the City of Moose Lake join with the Moose Lake Power [Water and Light] Commission and the Moose Lake Area Fire Protection District in funding a contract for assistance with said application. Mayor Ted Shaw went on to state that the cost for such service and assistance would be approximately $2,200, and that the City of Moose Lake share would amount to approximately five hundred dollars [$500] per month, for a period of six [6] months. Under a Motion being made by City Councilor Curt Yort, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered by City Councilor Kris Huso, Mayor Ted Shaw and City Administrator Talbot were respectfully directed to enter into such an arrangement and are authorized to execute and submit the application to the federal government for financial assistance. Approved unanimously via voice vote of the Moose Lake City Council. [4-0].
Communications. [1]. Mediacom - High Definition [HD] Additional Programming. [2]. MMUA Article - Moose Lake Extends Internet Services. [3]. Carlton County Economic Development Director - Moose Lake Correctional Facility Relocation Resolution[s].
Announcements.
Mayor Shaw reported that the next Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council would be held on Wednesday, May 13, 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, April 28, 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. City Administrator Talbot reported that in addition to the foregoing, a Joint Special Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council and the Moose Lake Planning Commission will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2009, at 5:00 p.m., regarding the Verizon Wireless Water Tower Project. This Public Hearing will also be held in the City Council/Town Board Chambers.
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, April 08, 2009, Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council. A Motion to Adjourn was introduced by City Councilor Bill Carlson, and a second to the Motion to Adjourn was made and offered by City Councilor Kris Huso. Meeting adjourned by Mayor Ted Shaw.
Respectfully submitted,
David R. Talbot, Jr.
City Administrator