CITY OF BLUE EARTH
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday, November 17, 2016 5:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Scholtes called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Gaylord, Huisman, Brod, Erichsrud, Warner, Cassem and Mayor Scholtes were present. Staff members present: City Administrator Timothy Ibisch and City Attorney David Frundt.
DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM
Quorum present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Scholtes led the pledge of allegiance.
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Public Present: Faribault County Development Corporation Director Tim Clawson, Fire Chief Roger Davis and Fireman Ashley Bleess.
FCDC Director Tim Clawson wanted to give recognition to Tom Hennis from Sentence to Serve for the great clean up help in the Three Sisters Building today. They will be back on Friday to help as well as some inmates from the Fairmont jail.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Gaylord, second by Huisman to approve the minutes from the Work Session and Council Meeting of Monday, November 7, 2016. The motion was approved unanimously.
LICENSES AND PERMITS
There were no licenses or permits at this time.
CORRESPONDENCE
At this time Mayor Scholtes addressed the Correspondence that included the following; Annual KBEW Campout, Bevcomm Rates and the Senior Center Fundraiser. There was no discussion offered at this time.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
REPORTS FROM STAFF
At this time Mayor Scholtes addressed City Attorney David Frundt. Frundt had no report at this time.
Scholtes noted that City Engineer Wes Brown was not present. City Administrator Ibisch addressed the Airport Agreement. Ibisch reported that the Airport Agreement is for the rebidding of the SRE Building. Ibisch reported that the Airport Commission met and refigured the SRE specs and voted to rebid the project in the spring. Gaylord reported that if the bids come in too high Council can reject them. Brod wondered why the City has to repay for engineering that has already taken place. Gaylord reported that this agreement is for the refiguring of the building.
Brod asked if the arrival/departure building will be built. Ibisch reported that building will not be built at this time.
Ibisch asked that the Agreement be placed on the next agenda and he will ask that Ron Roetzel attend the meeting to answer any questions regarding the SRE Building and the Engineering Agreement for that building.
Monthly Liquor Sales Report.
September 2016 sales were $129,034.00. September 2016 sales were $121,938.00 giving a profit of $7,096.00.
October 2016 sales were $121,035.00. September 2015 sales were $128,656.00 resulting in a loss of sales in the amount of $7,621.00.
REPORTS FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSION
Minutes were provided from the Library Board Meeting of 9-12-16.
Minutes from the Economic Development Authority Meeting of 10-13-16 were provided.
Minutes from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting of 10-10-16 were provided.
Minutes from the 10-11-16 Senior Center Board Meeting were provided.
The next scheduled meeting for the Board of Public Works is scheduled for 11-21-16.
The Charter Commission has the annual meeting scheduled for November 30th.
Ibisch announced that Katie Elzenga was hired to replace Nancy Cole who is retiring as the Director of the Crescent Apartments the end of the year. Elzenga will be working a 30 hour week.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL
Motion by Gaylord, second by Huisman to accept the reports of the Boards and Commissions as presented. The motion was approved unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
None.
OLD BUSINESS
At this time Mayor Scholtes addressed the 2017 Fee Schedule as indicated in Resolution 16-20. Ibisch reported that Council had the Resolution at the last meeting and if there were any questions about the proposed 2017 fees.
Warner asked what a person would go through in order to address a temporary housing building. Ibisch reported that they would go through a normal Planning Commission application process.
Motion by Gaylord, second by Huisman to adopt Resolution 16-20 adopting the 2017 fees and rates. The motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
At this time Mayor Scholtes addressed the Canvassing of the elections from Tuesday, November 8th as indicated in Resolution 16-21 as follows:
CITY OF BLUE EARTH RESOLUTION 16-21
A RESOLUTION CANVASSING THE TABULATION OF VOTES CAST FOR THE OFFICE OF THREE (3) COUNCIL POSITIONS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS FROM THE NOVEMBER 8, 2016 ELECTION
WHEREAS, The City Administrator has presented the tabulation of the results of votes cast at the November 8, 2016 General Election for the City of Blue Earth; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has received same tabulation as it relates to three (4) Council positions, three (3) Board of Public Works positions,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: By the City Council of the City of Blue Earth, Faribault County, Minnesota, does hereby canvass and declare the winners of the following offices:CANDIDATE NAME / WARD 1 / WARD 2 / WARD 3 / TOTAL
MAYOR (4 year term)
Richard Scholtes / 461 / 540 / 410 / 1411
Write in / 15 / 10 / 8 / 33
Total for Mayor / 476 / 550 / 418 / 1444
CANDIDATE NAME / WARD 1 / WARD 2 / WARD 3 / TOTAL
COUNCIL MEMBER AT LARGE (2 year term)
Danny Brod / 179 / 196 / 172 / 547
Gregory Scheid / 71 / 95 / 66 / 232
Wendy Cole / 226 / 267 / 189 / 682
Write in / 1 / 3 / 6 / 10
Total Council at Large (2 year) / 477 / 561 / 433 / 1471
CANDIDATE NAME / WARD 1 / WARD 2 / WARD 3 / TOTAL
COUNCIL MEMBER AT LARGE (4 year term)
0 / 0
John Huisman / 378 / 451 / 329 / 1158
Glenn Gaylord / 336 / 406 / 315 / 1057
Daniel Warner / 362 / 445 / 342 / 1149
Write in / 12 / 13 / 7 / 32
Total Council at Large 4 year / 1088 / 1315 / 993 / 3396
WARD 1 / WARD 2 / WARD 3 / TOTAL
TOTAL BALLOTS CAST / 436 / 538 / 362 / 1336
REGISTERED VOTERS 7 AM / 569 / 666 / 512 / 1747
% OF VOTER TURNOUT / 77% / 81% / 71% / 76%
Ibisch reported that voter turnout was historically high. Ibisch noted that Hamilton Hall turned out to be a nice location for the voting. Previously the voting was held in the Elementary Gym but with recent changes for the School it was decided to use Hamilton Hall.
Motion by Warner, second by Huisman to adopt Resolution 16-21 for the tabulation of votes during the November 8, 2016 elections. The motion passed unanimously.
At this time Mayor Scholtes addressed Fire Chief Roger Davis and Lieutenant Ashley Bleess with regard to the request of the Fire Department to purchase a new Grass Rig. The bids came in as follows:
Fairmont Ford-Truck $29,554.75
Heiman Fire-Monitor $9,256.00
Heiman Fire-Installation $12,973.00
Total $51,783.75
Davis reported that the truck will take 4 weeks to receive so if the truck is ordered now it will not have to be paid for until after January 1st 2017.
Erichsrud asked if the old grass rig will be traded. Davis reported that no they will place that one on a light trailer. Davis reported that the old grass rig was received from DNR funds and if it were to be sold they would have to give those funds back to the DNR. Gaylord asked if the rig is used often. Davis reported that yes they do use it a lot.
Motion by Gaylord, second by Huisman approving the purchase of a new Grass Rig for the Fire Department as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
At this time Mayor Scholtes addressed the Fire Department Social Media (see attachment A). Frundt reported that the policy is county wide and cell phone use was specifically addressed. Through the guidance of the League of Minnesota Cities the cell phone use has been given direction. The policy has been distributed to all members of the Fire Department. Frundt reported that this policy helps protect the City. Fire Chief Roger Davis reported that they use the Fire Department’s camera at each fire because the pictures become public information. Davis reported that all the members were in agreement to the policy.
Motion by Gaylord, second by Huisman approving the Fire Department Social Policy as presented.
Davis reported that the entire County is involved with the policy.
Ibisch reported that the Police fall under the City’s Policy.
Ibisch noted that the blanks will be filled with the appropriate information.
The motion passed unanimously.
Next Work Session Agenda Items 12-5-16:
Mankato State Students survey results presentation.
Truth and Taxation Hearing during Regular Council December 5th at 6:00 P.M.
BILLS AND INVESTMENTS
2016 Investment Schedule.
Motion by Huisman, second by Warner to pay the bills and acknowledge the receipt of the October 2016 Financials. The motion was approved unanimously.
REPORT OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Payroll summary.
At this time Mayor Scholtes addressed City Administrator Timothy Ibisch to discuss his report (see attachment B). Ibisch reported that the Public Works Department has been busy sweeping up leaves but because the threat of snow they are changing direction to attached and get the plows ready. If time allows they will try and sweep more leaves.
Ibisch reported that anyone wanting to attend the Experienced Officials Conference in January to let Sue know so you can be signed up. The closest one will be in Bloomington January 27 and 28th.
Ibisch reported that he spoke with County Engineer Mark Daly about a possible Stop sign on the corner of 5th and Main Street. Daly said if the City would pay for a traffic count it might be considered. Brod reported that you cannot see south on Main Street when stopped at the 5th Street intersection and felt that a stop sign is needed on Main Street by the Post Office. Warner asked that the Street Committee review that request again.
Priorities for 2017:
Tennis Courts.
Dog “Bark” Park.
Bathrooms at 14th Street Ball Park.
Ibisch reported that there are no big street projects scheduled for 2017.
Scholtes asked if Waste Management could be invited to one of the next council meetings. There have been continuing problems with getting recycling picked up. Gaylord agreed and reported that he didn’t know why we are sticking with them when they don’t hold up to their agreement. Ibisch reported that we are in year 2 of a 3 year agreement. Scholtes reported that there continues to be issues on Highland Drive. Ibisch will contact them to see if they can send a representative to one of the meetings in December.
OTHER BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Gaylord, second by Huisman to adjourn the meeting. Mayor Scholtes adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 5:36 P.M.
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