ANDSTONE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
March 6, 2013
CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members present: Atterbury, Kester, Stadin, Devlin, Bonander
Members absent: None
Staff present: Administrator Griffith, Utility Billing Clerk Leaha Jackson, Recording Secretary Orr
Others present: Tim Franklin
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Staff and members recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
ADDITIONS AND/OR CORRECTION S TO THE AGENDA:
Motion Bonander, second Kester to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
SPECIAL ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
There were none.
PETITIONS OR COMPLAINTS BY RESIDENTS AND/OR COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Bonander reported that the Chamber is working on website options.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
Motion Bonander, second Devlin to approve minutes of the special meeting on February 19, 2013. Motion carried 5-0.
Motion Bonander, second Stadin to approve minutes of the meeting on February 20, 2013. Motion carried 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
There were none.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Accept resignation of Ron Tengwall from Fire Department; Authorize April 13 Workshop with Fire Department, and Authorize Workshop with Quality of Life Task Force.
Motion Bonander, second Kester to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
FINANCIAL REPORTS:
Motion Bonander, second Devlin to approve and pay Claims with the change of charging Parks and Recreation rather than Fire Department for the BNSF Lease. Motion carried 5-0.
OLD & CONTINUING BUSINESS:
Consider approval of utility rate increase
Proposal Four was presented to the council per the request of Council member Devlin. It will reduce the amount placed into reserves and reduce the fixed rate increase to $1.50 per month the first year and an increase in the variable rate of $.55 per thousand in the first year. Year Two would increase the water fixed rate by $.25 per month and no increase in the variable rate. The third year would be a fixed rate increase of $.25 per month and an increase of $.05 per thousand in the variable rate.
Motion Kester, second Devlin to adopt Proposal #4. Motion failed 3-2.
Bonander inquired of Billing Clerk Leaha Jackson what she felt was the most adequate proposal of all that were presented. Leaha replied that #4 and #1 were very close. Her recommendation was Proposal #4.
Motion Bonander, second Kester to reconsider adopting Proposal #4. Motion carried 3-2.
NEW BUSINESS:
Termination of fire fighters due to not meeting attendance requirements
Devlin recused himself.
There are five fire fighters who attended 20% or less of combined fire and drill calls. A warning had been issued to these firefighters. None of them have contacted the Fire Chief to waive the attendance requirements or to request a leave of absence.
Motion Kester, second Stadin to terminate the employment of Andy Andrews, Wesley Colsrud, Jason Eiffler, Tane Finley and Tammy Ivey from Sandstone Fire & Rescue. Motion carried 4-0.
Authorize City Attorney to draft rental property ordinance
The Quality of Life Task Force has submitted a request that there be the study and public discussion of a rental housing registration and licensing ordinance. This would create a mechanism for the inspection of rental properties for code compliance. A public discussion would best start from a draft ordinance to determine what might be feasible in Sandstone. There is a public health and safety benefit from such an ordinance.
Motion Devlin, second Stadin to authorize the City attorney to draft a rental housing registration and licensing ordinance for discussion. Motion carried 5-0.
Authorize Administrator to apply for TED grant
The City has applied to MNDOT previously for a grant to make the necessary upgrades on Highway 23 for the two access points for the hospital campus. There are already updates on construction numbers and drawings. The request is to submit a new application.
Motion Bonander, second Kester to authorize staff and consultants to submit a TED application to MNDOT. Motion carried 5-0.
Consider use of City parking area for Flea Market
The BP station is closed and the vendors of the Flea Market are looking for another location. One possible site is the City parking area on Main Street adjacent to the Fire Hall. The site is currently a drive through for the Fire Department for returning trucks. Devlin had a concern that public parking would block the front of the fire department doors.
Motion Bonander, second Kester to consider making the space available to the vendors, to negotiate a fee for use of the space and consider paying part of the costs of a porta-potty at the site. Motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS:
Motion Bonander, second Devlin to approve Paid Claims reports. Motion carried 5-0.
WRITTEN NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS:
Family Pathways-March in MN Food Share month.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Board of Review-April 23-7p.m; SF 93-Committee hearing testimony-February 27; reminder that March 7, 8 11-4:30p.m. Open Forum-Superintendent Candidates; March 21-LMC Legislative conference-St. Paul; April 12-Partners in Workforce Development-Monticello and Land Use-on line training – LMC.
Essentia will report on Hospital to EDA on March 20 at 6:00 p.m.
ADJOURN:
Motion Devlin, second Bonander to adjourn meeting at 7:50 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.