Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Call to Order. Mayor Ted Shaw called the Tuesday, March 24, 2009, Special 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.

New Business.

1. Low to Moderate Income Housing - Twin [2] Unit Townhomes. City Administrator Talbot stated that he, Talbot, has been working with several developers regarding the vacated Soo Hotel site. City Administrator Talbot distributed copies of the developers proposed Twin Unit Townhomes that can be economically built and would be an attractive addition to the housing stock in the City of Moose Lake. City Administrator Talbot and members of the Moose Lake City Council entered into a protracted discussion regarding the proposed development and concluded by encouraging City Administrator Talbot to do what can be done to bring this development forward. At this time, this item is informational only and therefore, no formal action is required by the Moose Lake City Council.

Request for Closed Meeting - City Administrators Contract and Retirement Plan[s]. City Administrator Talbot stated for the public record that it is his intent to retire as of December 31, 2011. City Administrator Talbot stated that he would work with the City Council to ensure that to the extent possible and practical all of the major projects would be complete. City Administrator Talbot went on to state that it was his, Talbot’s, recommendation that the Moose Lake City Council should engage the services of Mr. Randy Lasky of the Northspan Group, Inc., to work with City Administrator Talbot and the City Council to develop a replacement plan.

In a related matter, City Administrator Talbot requested permission from the Moose Lake City Council to draw down a portion of accrued vacation and sick leave that is currently on the books of the City of Moose Lake which will be paid out to Talbot at the time of retirement or to his heirs and successors should he, Talbot, die. According to City Administrator Talbot, an additional contribution in the amount of $13,000, can be made to City Administrator Talbot’s Deferred Compensation Account. Under a Motion being made by City Councilor Kris Huso, and with a second to the Motion being made by City Councilor Curt Yort, City Administrator Talbot is hereby authorized to draw down on his, Talbot’s, accrued vacation and sick leave in accordance with the provisions of his, Talbot’s, employment contract. Approved by the Moose Lake City Council under a unanimous voice vote. [4-0].

City Administrator concluded by stating that his, Talbot’s, current employment contract is set to expire at the end of 2009, to which Mayor Ted Shaw stated that he, Mayor Shaw, was looking forward to working with City Attorney Marguerite Doran and City Administrator Talbot to draft an all new and improved employment contract.

Police Officers Labor Agreement and Department of Justice COPS Grant Application Approval. Given the current state of fiscal affairs of the State of Minnesota, and given the further fact that the City of Moose Lake will be experiencing reductions in the amount of Local Government Aid that it, the City, will receive, City Administrator Talbot is requesting permission from the Moose Lake City Council to apply for a COPS grant from the federal government. The catch to apply for these federal stimulus funds is that the Police Officers to be funded under the program have to be presently laid off, or who have been notified that due to budget considerations they are going to be laid off and have been given notice to such an effect. City Administrator Talbot reported that he has spoken with the Business Agent from the Teamsters Union who is supportive of the City of Moose Lake application and stated that the Union would do all that it could to help ensure the success of the City’s application for federal stimulus funds. Based upon the foregoing, a Motion was made by City Councilor Curt Yort, and a second to the Motion was made and offered by City Councilor Kris Huso, authorizing the City Administrator to prepare and present a United States Department of Justice COPS grant to fund two [2] Police Officer positions. Approved unanimously via voice vote of the Moose Lake City Council.

Other Business. None.

Adjournment.

There being no further business to come before the Moose Lake City Council, Mayor Ted Shaw called for a Motion to Adjourn the Tuesday, March 24, 2009, Special 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