MINUTES
Regular City Council Meeting
Call to Order. Mayor Ted Shaw called the Wednesday, December 09, 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, Kris Huso and Beth Virden. City Councilors absent: None. 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 Kris Huso, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered by City Councilor Bill Carlson, the Agenda, was approved unanimously via voice vote. [4-0].
Minutes. Mayor Shaw reported that the Official Minutes from the November 18, 2009, Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council have not yet been completed and are marked ‘to come’. 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 November 23, 2009, and the Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake Park Board of October 02, 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 the City Park and they do not need to be approved by formal action of the City Council. Mayor Shaw concluded by stating that the Minutes from the December 02, 2009, Joint Special Meeting with the City Council and the Moose Lake - Windemere Sanitary Sewer Service should also be marked ‘to come’.
A Motion was made by City Councilor Beth Virden, and with a second to the Motion being made and introduced by City Councilor Curt Yort, the aforementioned delineated Minutes were approved, if and when required. Approved unanimously via voice vote. [5-0].
Consent Agenda Adoption. Mayor Shaw offered the adoption of the Consent Agenda for the December 09, 2009, Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council under a single Motion from the floor, which includes acceptance of the Accounts Payable for December, and the Financial Statements and the Municipal Liquor Store - Profit and Loss Statement for the month of November. Under a Motion made by City Councilor Curt Yort and with a second to the Motion being made and offered by City Councilor Kris Huso, the Consent Agenda was adopted and was approved unanimously via voice vote. [5-0]. Mayor Ted Shaw stated that the Tobacco License and Liquor License Renewal[s] have been split off from the normal Consent Agenda and will be approved individually. With that being stated, City Administrator Talbot reported that he, Talbot, and Police Chief Dale Heaton have had cause to review the history of the current Tobacco and Liquor License Holders and he, Talbot, was pleased to report that there were no violations or any other matters that would cause concern and therefore City Administrator Talbot and Police Chief Dale Heaton were recommending approval.
Tobacco License Renewal[s]
Mayor Ted Shaw asked for a Motion to approve the Tobacco License Renewals. With that, a Motion was introduced by Moose Lake City Councilor Beth Virden, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered for consideration by City Councilor Kris Huso, the Tobacco License Renewal[s] were approved by a unanimous voice vote of the Moose Lake City Council. [5-0].
Liquor License Renewal[s]
Mayor Ted Shaw stated that he would entertain a Motion to approve the Liquor License Renewals as presented by the Administration. Under a Motion being made and offered by Moose Lake City Councilor Kris Huso, and with a second to the Motion being made by Moose Lake City Councilor Curt Yort, the Liquor License Renewals for 2010 were approved by a unanimous voice vote of the Moose Lake City Council. [5-0].
Petitions, Complaints and Presentation of Claims.
1. Unauthorized Signage Removal Complaint - Mr. Jeff Vichorek. Mr. Jeff Vichorek appeared at the podium to address the Moose Lake City Council regarding the removal of his, Vichorek’s, Christmas Trees for Sale sign at the intersection of State Highway No 27, and County Highway No 61. Mr. Vichorek expressed his dismay that the subject sign was cited and was going to be removed under the direction of the City Administrator. Mr. Vichorek implored the Mayor and City Councilors to review the City’s sign ordinance and regulations. The Mayor thanked Mr. Vichorek for appearing and closed by stating that the City and the Moose Lake Area Chamber of Commerce were working to see what, if anything, could be done regarding the placement of signage.
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.
1. Best Oil Properties - Orange Security Fencing. City Administrator Talbot reported that ugly orange snow fencing has been placed around the perimeter of both the former Little Store site next to the Municipal Liquor Store and the former ‘municipal parking lot’ located at the intersection of State Highway No 73 and Arrowhead Lane. City Administrator Talbot reported that both of the sites owned by Best Oil Company are for sale, and the current listed price is seventy-five thousand dollars [$75,000] for each parcel. City Administrator Talbot reported that he is dealing with representatives from Best Oil Company to possibly acquire the parcels and hold them in trust for economic development purposes. City Administrator Talbot concluded by stating that he, Talbot, was also working with the Carlton County Economic Development Director, Mr. Pat Oman, to develop a financing plan for any proposed acquisition and improvement of one or both sites.
‘ Unfinished Business.
1. City Personnel Policy. [no action taken]
2. Moose Lake GIS Project. [no action taken]
’ New Business.
1. Public Hearing - 2010 Truth In Taxation @ 6:01 p.m. City Administrator Talbot reported that upon due call and appropriate Public Notice, the Moose Lake City Council held the Statutorily mandated ‘2010 Truth In Taxation’ Public Hearing. At this Public Hearing, the Moose Lake City Council is required to solicit input from the residents of the City of Moose Lake prior to the adoption of the final 2010 General Property Tax Levy and General Operating Budget. With that said, City Administrator Talbot stated that the Public Record will show that no resident appeared before the Moose Lake City Council to object to or voice approval of the City of Moose Lake General Property Tax Levy and/or General Operating Budget. In conclusion, City Administrator Talbot stated that the 2010 General Property Tax Levy was set at $400,000, an increase of $25,000, or 6.25% over 2009; and the 2010 General Operating Fund Budget of the City of Moose Lake was set at $1,455,006, an increase of $83,006, over fiscal year 2009 operations.
2. Transfer of Funds - Request for Authorization [Motor Vehicle to General]. City Administrator Talbot reported that the City of Moose Lake accounts for the operation of the Motor Vehicle operation as an Enterprise Fund. The staff costs and office operating expenses are paid by the City of Moose Lake from the General Operating Fund, which is reimbursed from time-to-time by the use of inter-fund transfers, which is the case with the instant matter before the City Council. Therefore, based upon the recommendation of City Administrator Talbot, a Motion was made by City Councilor Kris Huso to transfer $100,000, from the Motor Vehicle Enterprise Fund, to the General Operating Fund. With a second to the Motion being made and offered for consideration and acceptance by City Councilor Beth Virden, the transfer of funds was approved by unanimous vote of the City Council. [5-0].
3. Wastewater and Collection System Improvements - Change Order No 7.
4. Wastewater and Collection System Improvements - Change Order No 8. Copies of Change Order No 7 and Change Order No 8, were provided to the Moose Lake City Council for their, the Council’s, review, consideration and hopeful approval. City Administrator Talbot requested that the two [2] Change Orders be treated as a singular action and Motion. Under a Motion being made by City Councilor Curt Yort, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered for consideration and discussion by City Councilor Bill Carlson, Change Order No 7, and Change Order No 8, were approved unanimously via voice vote of the Moose Lake City Council. [5-0]
5. Moose Lake HRA - Boiler Project Promissory Note - Extension of Time. It was with deep regret that City Administrator Talbot, who also serves as the Executive Director of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, in and for the City of Moose Lake, reported that the HRA was unable to repay the outstanding note in the amount of $30,000, that was previously approved by the Moose Lake City Council, which was to be repaid by December 31, 2009. With that being stated, City Administrator/Executive Director Talbot requested an extension of time to re-pay the note. City Administrator/Executive Director Talbot went on to say that he, Talbot, was working with the federal government to expedite the transfer of federal funds which would allow the HRA to re-pay the City. Given assurance by City Administrator/Executive Director Talbot that an extension of six [6] months would be sufficient, a Motion was made by City Councilor Bill Carlson to extend re-payment of the note until July 01, 2010, and with a second to the Motion being made and offered for consideration and discussion by City Councilor Kris Huso, the Motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. [5-0].
6. City Ordinance[s] - Amending Penalty Provisions [five (5) enclosures]. Mayor Shaw stated that the Agenda contained five [5] additional Ordinances that need to be amended to revise the penalty provision. According to City Administrator Talbot the action to be taken by the Moose Lake City Council is one of housekeeping to bring all of the City’s Ordinance into compliance with the penalty provisions established by the Minnesota State Legislature. Under a Motion being made by City Councilor Kris Huso and with a second to the Motion being made and offered for consideration and discussion by City Councilor Beth Virden, the amendments were approved and City Administrator Talbot was directed to do whatever is necessary to bring the subject Ordinances into compliance with Minnesota Statute. Approved unanimously by voice vote of the Moose Lake City Council. [5-0].
7. Kasper Addition Water Supply - Preliminary Engineering Report . City Administrator Talbot reported that based upon a petition for annexation, the City Engineer was requested to prepare and submit a report to the Moose Lake City Council for consideration as to the extension of water service[s] to the residents of Kasper Addition. Given the timeliness of the report, City Administrator Talbot was asked to work with the City Engineer and at a time appropriate, call for a public Informational Meeting with the affected properties to inform them of the projected and proposed costs. City Councilor Bill Carlson asked City Administrator Talbot to work with the City Engineer in an effort to ensure that if the City proceeds, the proposed water main extension is ‘looped’ back to the Gateway Clinic main to provide adequate pressure for fire suppression purposes. City Administrator Talbot reported that he, Talbot, would work with the City Engineer to prepare the requested information and to set up the requisite informational meeting.
Communications.
1. Mercy Hospital and Healthcare Center - Nursing Home and Assisted Living Sale Update. According to the correspondence submitted by Mr. Jason Douglas, CEO, Mercy Hospital and Healthcare Center, negotiations regarding the sale of the nursing home and assisted living facility is progressing. City Administrator Talbot reported that he has spoken with the CEO who stated that he, Mr. Douglas, and representatives from Augustana, the proposed buyer, would appear at the January, 2010, Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council.
Announcements.
Mayor Shaw reported that the next Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council would be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 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, December 29, 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.
Mayor Shaw stated that at the conclusion of the Regular Meeting of the Moose Lake City Council, the City Council would move to meet in Closed Session to discuss employee wage and benefits and to dialogue with the City Administrator regarding an extension of the Administrators employment contract.
• 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, December 09, 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