MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
Call to Order. Mayor ‘Pro Tem’ Bill Carlson called the Wednesday, August 12, 2009, Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council to Order. After calling the meeting to Order, Mayor ‘Pro Tem’ Carlson asked those in attendance to join with the City Council in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. In addition to Mayor ‘Pro Tem’ Carlson the following City Councilors were in attendance: Kris Huso and Curt Yort. City Councilors absent: Mayor Ted Shaw and John Unzen. Also in attendance was City Administrator David Talbot, Jr.
Upon being seated, Mayor ‘Pro Tem’ Carlson 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 ‘Pro Tem’ Carlson stated that he would entertain a Motion to accept the Agenda.. Under a Motion being made by City Councilor Kris Huso, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered by City Councilor Curt Yort, the Agenda was approved unanimously via voice vote. [3-0].
Minutes. Mayor ‘Pro Tem’ Carlson reported that the Official Minutes from the December 10, 2008, Regular Meeting, through the July 20, 2009, Regular Meeting, of the Moose Lake City Council have been completed and are presented for formal adoption as part of the Agenda. Mayor ‘Pro Tem’ Carlson went on to state that the Minutes from the Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake Power [Water and Light] Commission that was held on June 08, 2009, and July 20, 2009, are marked as ‘informational’ in that they are presented to update the City Council about the operations of the City’s Electric Utility Enterprise and they do not need to be approved by formal action of the City Council.
Mayor ‘Pro Tem’ Bill Carlson expressed his appreciation to City Administrator Talbot for having all of the backlog of Minutes taken care of, but he, Mayor ‘Pro Tem’ Carlson stated that there were several changes or corrections that need to be made to more accurately reflect what had been stated. For example, the following changes to New Business should be noted in each of the delineated documents: March 18, 2009, Regular Meeting Minutes, New Business, Item 1. During the course of discussion regarding Resolution No 09-03-01, City Council Bill Carlson expressed his desire to have the City of Moose Lake, through its City Administrator, act as the ‘fiscal agent’ for the joint venture being proposed with the Moose Lake Power [Water and Light] Commission and the Moose Lake Area Fire Protection District; April 04, 2009, Regular Meeting Minutes, New Business, Item 7. In regard to the Legislative Services and Stimulus Grant Proposal, City Councilor Carlson stated that the cost for these services was being shared by the Moose Lake Power [Water and Light] Commission], the City of Moose Lake, and the Moose Lake Area Fire Protection District. The contributions by the three [3] participants would be $1,500, $500, and $200, respectively, for a total monthly cost of $2,200, with the contracting running for a term of six [6] months; Not to be left out, City Councilor Curt Yort noted that the July 08, 2009, Regular Meeting Minutes also needed to be amended under New Business, Item 6, to change the title of City Councilor Bill Carlson in that the Minutes stated that he, Carlson, is the ‘City Administrator’: and, finally, City Councilor Bill Carlson asked that the July 08, 2009, Regular Meeting Minutes, under New Business, Item 15, should reflect City Councilor Carlson’s request that there is an understanding that when, and if, Kasper Addition is annexed into the City of Moose Lake proper, that the City would also acquire these properties as customers for the City of Moose Lake Sanitary Sewer fund.
There being no further changes offered, a Motion was made by City Councilor Curt Yort, and with a second to the Motion being made and introduced by City Councilor Kris Huso, the aforementioned and delineated Minutes were approved, if and when required. Approved unanimously via voice vote. [3-0].
Consent Agenda Adoption. Mayor ‘Pro Tem’ Carlson’ offered the adoption of the Consent Agenda for the August 12, 2009, Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council under a single Motion from the floor, which includes acceptance of the Accounts Payable for August, and the Financial Statements and the Municipal Liquor Store - Profit and Loss Statement for the month of July. Under a Motion made by City Councilor Kris Huso, 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. [3-0].
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’.
1. Moose Lake Power [Water and Light] Commission - Office Manager Position. City Administrator expressed his appreciation that he, Talbot, was asked by the Moose Lake Power [Water and Light] Commission to sit in on the applicant interviews for the soon to be vacated position of Office Manager. City Administrator Talbot commented that the Commission was fortunate in that they, the Commission, had seventeen [17] original applicants, with the final top five [5] being slated for an interview. City Administrator Talbot stated that he, Talbot, was pleased to announce that the Commission made a ‘conditional offer of employment’ to Ms. Debra Mohelski, with an estimated start date of September 01, 2009. City Administrator Talbot concluded by stating that he looked forward to working with Ms. Mohelski, who is also an Accountant.
2. Phase II - Sanitary Sewer Collection and Treatment System[s]. City Administrator Talbot reported that he, Talbot, along with Mayor Ted Shaw and Mr. Greg Stoewer, the City Engineer, would be meeting with representatives of the Moose Lake Correctional Facility and the Minnesota Lake Sex Offender Program on August 31, 2009. Representatives from the Moose Lake - Windemere Sanitary Sewer District will also be invited to attend this meeting. One of the outcomes of the meeting is intended to be some direction given to the City regarding the need to complete Phase II of the Sanitary Sewer Collection and Treatment System[s] so as to be prepared and operational when the next expansion of MSOP occurs. Another topic for discussion will be the requirement to have ‘flume’ or flow meters installed at both the DOC and MSOP facilities. The City has been reading the flows for an extended period of time utilizing a ‘temporary’ flow meter, but permanent meters are required to ensure an accurate measure of flow, which is the bases for billing the State facilities, as it is for the City and the District.. City Administrator concluded by stating that a Special Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council may be called to approve and authorize the commencement of Phase II of the program and plan.
3. 2010 Preliminary Property Tax Levy and adoption of the General Operating Budget. City Administrator Talbot reported that although there have been changes to the Minnesota ‘Truth In Taxation’ requirements, the City of Moose Lake is still required to meet and adopt the 2010 Proposed Property Tax Levy. According to Minnesota State Statute, the City must certify the proposed property tax levy to the Carlton County Auditor by September 15, 2009. Therefore, a Special Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council may also have to be called to attend to this matter.
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. City Councilor Resignation - Mr. John Unzen. Mayor ‘Pro Tem’ Carlson reported that the City of Moose Lake was in receipt of a letter of resignation from City Councilor John Unzen. Mayor ‘Pro Tem’ Carlson thanked City Councilor John Unzen for his service to the City and asked for a Motion to accept, with deep regret, the resignation of City Councilor John Unzen. City Administrator Talbot interjected and stated that City Councilor Unzen requested that he, City Administrator Talbot, read the letter of resignation and that it become a part of the Public Record. Under a Motion being made by City Councilor Kris Huso, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered for consideration, the letter of resignation from City Councilor John Unzen was accepted, with deep regret, and by and through its reading and reference, the letter of resignation is to become a part of the Public Record of these proceedings. Motion approved unanimously via voice vote of the Moose Lake City Council. [3-0]. City Councilor Curt Yort requested that City Administrator Talbot follow the procedure and protocol that has been used in the past when a vacancy on the City Council occurs. City Administrator Talbot stated that it was his, City Administrator Talbot’s, intent to advertise that a vacancy on the Moose Lake City Council exists and any interested citizen and resident of the City of Moose Lake could apply for consideration by the Moose Lake City Council. City Councilor Curt Yort asked City Administrator Talbot to look into the election laws to determine how the vacancy is to be filled and for what period of time. In other words, City Councilor Curt Yort wanted to know if the appointment to fill the vacated position was for the unexpired term, or if the appointment would only be until the next municipal election. City Administrator Talbot stated that he was unsure, and that he, City Administrator Talbot, would research the matter and get back to the members of the Moose Lake City Council.
2. Section 569 Grant Program Application - North East Minnesota Environmental Assistance Fund. City Administrator Talbot reported, with regret, that the application submitted to the North East Minnesota Environmental Assistance Fund has been rejected. City Administrator Talbot reported that he, City Administrator Talbot, has spoken with Mr. Randy Lasky of the Northspan Group, Inc., who informed him, City Administrator Talbot, that all of the available funding that was allocated by congress was appropriated for a major project in another United States Corps of Engineers district, and therefore, the City was not selected for funding, along with a number of other projects in the Minnesota district. City Administrator Talbot went on to state that it appears that the U.S. Corps of Engineers will be receiving an additional appropriation or allocation of funding and the City of Moose Lake may be eligible for a grant in the amount of $750,000. City Administrator Talbot quipped, and concluded, that based upon the City’s past success in dealing with the U.S. Corps of Engineers and this funding program, we better not celebrated just yet.
3. 2010 Friends of Animals - Animal Control Officer Contract. City Administrator Talbot commented on the contract that the City of Moose Lake has with the Friends of Animals for animal control services. According to City Administrator Talbot the relationship is functioning as hoped for and City Administrator Talbot and Police Chief Dale Heaton recommend the continuation of the contract between the City of Moose Lake and the Friends of Animals. City Councilor Curt Yort stated that it would appear that the approval of the contract is much earlier this year than in previous years and inquired as to why the Moose Lake City Council was considering this matter at this time. City Administrator Talbot surmised that they, the Friends of Animals, may just want to ensure that they have all of their contracts in place for next year, 2010, but he, City Administrator Talbot, would inquire and report back to the Moose Lake City Council at the September Meeting. With that said, a Motion was introduced by City Councilor Curt Yort, and a second to the Motion was made and offered for consideration by City Councilor Kris Huso to approve the 2010 contract between the City of Moose Lake and the Friends of Animals as submitted. Approved unanimously via voice vote of the Moose Lake City Council. [3-0].
4. LHB Engineers and Architects - Supplement #2 - Wastewater Treatment Contract. City Administrator Talbot stated that Supplement #2 between the Owner, the City of Moose Lake, and LHB Engineers and Architects, Inc., for professional services in the amount of $9,070, represents the cost of re-designing the wastewater treatment system[s] to exclude Phase III of the Minnesota Sex Offender Program [MSOP] which was originally included in the twenty [20] year facility plan. With assurance from City Administrator Talbot that the contemplated work is in keeping with the objectives of the program and plan, a Motion was introduced by City Councilor Kris Huso, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered for consideration by City Councilor Curt Yort, Supplement # 2, in the amount of $9,070, was approved, and the Mayor and City Administrator are authorized to execute any and all documents required to approve the supplement. Approved by unanimous voice vote of the Moose Lake City Council. [3-0].
5. Mercy Hospital and Healthcare Center Potential Sale of Nursing Home. The City of Moose Lake is in receipt of a correspondence dated July 13, 2009, addressed to City Administrator Talbot, stating that Mercy Hospital and Healthcare System have reached a ‘conditional agreement’ regarding the sale of the Nursing Home and Kenwood Place to Augustana Care Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. Jason Douglas, CEO, goes on to state that as details are finalized, they, Mercy Hospital and Healthcare Center, will provide updates as developments occur. City Councilor Curt Yort inquired as to the tax status of the Augustana Care Corporation and how much property would be included in the anticipated sale. City Councilor Yort went on to request that perhaps the City’s representative on the Board of Directors or the CEO could appear at a future City Council meeting to provide additional information and to respond to questions. City Administrator Talbot stated that no formal action of the Moose Lake City Council is required in that this matter is informational in nature.
6. Police Department Security Lighting - Moose Lake Power Donation of Time and Materials. The City of Moose Lake is in receipt of an invoice from Moose Lake Power [Water and Light] Commission in the amount of $953.92, for services and materials used to install enhanced security lighting at the Moose Lake Area Emergency Response Center. City Administrator Talbot reported that he appeared at the last regular meeting of the Commission, and they, the Commission, agreed to cancel this invoice and therefore, this item is informational in nature. Members of the Moose Lake City Council and the Administration expressed their appreciation for all of the in-kind and financial support that the Commission and staff provide to the community.
7. Department of Justice {COPS] Grant Awards - Notice of Rejection. According to City Administrator Talbot, the City of Moose Lake submitted a grant application to the United States Department of Justice. City Administrator Talbot provided the Moose Lake City Council with a summary of grant awards, of which there were fourteen [14] awards in Minnesota. City Administrator Talbot reported that the application of the City of Moose Lake for grant funding for two [2] Police Officer positions was denied. City Administrator Talbot concluded by stating that matter is an informational item at this time, but the rejection of the request for funding does impact the City of Moose Lake and the operation of the Moose Lake Police Department.
8. Minnesota Teamsters Public & Law Enforcement Union Local No 320 - Contract Openers for Moose Lake Police Officers. The City of Moose Lake, in accordance with Minnesota State Statute and the labor agreement have been placed on notice that the Minnesota Teamster Union, who is the exclusive representative for the Moose Lake Police Officers, has opened the contracts for negotiations and states further that their, the Union’s, proposals will be submitted at a later date. Mayor ‘Pro Tem’ Carlson asked City Administrator Talbot if he believed that the negotiations would be contentious, to which City Administrator Talbot responded in the negative. City Administrator Talbot stated that several meetings with the Business Agent have been productive and informative and City Administrator Talbot was actually looking forward to negotiating with the Minnesota Teamsters Union.
9. 2010 Local Government Aid [LGA] Certification. The City of Moose Lake is in receipt of documentation from the Minnesota Department of Revenue certifying the amount of Local Government Aid [LGA] that the City of Moose Lake should receive in calendar year 2010. According to the documents, the City of Moose Lake was slated to receive $624,271. However, due to ‘un-allotment’ by the Governor to balance the State of Minnesota budget, the City of Moose Lake will only receive $550,755, or $73,516, less than originally certified. City Administrator Talbot concluded that the Moose Lake City Council and the Administration would be meeting prior to September 15, 2009, to review and approve the ‘Preliminary’ Property Tax Levy for fiscal [calendar] year 2010.
10. Wastewater Treatment [New Pond[s] Wetlands Boundary Determination - Notification of Rejection of Boundaries. In an August 05, 2009, correspondence, Ms. Heather Cunningham, Resource and Recycling Coordinator for the County of Carlton, notified the City of Moose Lake that they, the Carlton County TEP, were unable to reach a consensus on the wetland boundary for the Moose Lake Wastewater Treatment expansion project. City Administrator mused and stated that he found it somewhat entertaining if not laughable that although the wetland boundaries could not be established, which impacts the proposed expansion and construction of the treatment ponds, they, the County, would like to host a ‘Difficult to Delineate Wetlands’ class on the site. At this time, this matter is informational and City Administrator Talbot concluded by stating that additional information regarding wetlands and other matters regarding the City of Moose Lake Wastewater Collection and Treatment System[s] would be presented at future meetings of the Moose Lake City Council.
Communications. [1]. American Cancer Society - ‘Relay for Life’ Thank you. [2]. Mediacom - Notice of Service Changes and Fee Increases. [3]. Request for Donation - Kyle Peterson Fundraising Event.
Announcements.
Mayor ‘Pro Tem’ Carlson reported that the next Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council would be held on Wednesday, September 09, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. Mayor ‘Pro Tem’ Carlson went on to report that the next regular meeting of the Moose Lake Planning Commission would be held on Tuesday, August 25, 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 ‘Pro Tem’ Bill Carlson called for a Motion to Adjourn the Wednesday, August 12, 2009, Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council. A Motion to Adjourn was introduced by City Councilor Kris Huso, and a second to the Motion to Adjourn was made and offered by City Councilor Curt Yort. Meeting adjourned by Mayor ‘Pro Tem’ Bill Carlson.
Respectfully submitted,
David R. Talbot, Jr.
City Administrator