AUGUST 6, 2014

REGULAR MEETING

The only regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Atwater City Council was called to order on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at 7:002 p.m. in the Council Chambers by Mayor Mark Olson. Council members present were Gary Tagtow, Shane Hagstrom, Reed Schmidt and Pat Wortham. Visitors at the meeting were Ben and Brenda Thiewes, Marge and Dick Rierson, Dean Carlson and Mrs. Berger, Dick Wentzel of Ferguson water meters, Jared Voge and Eric Altermatt from Bolton and Menk. Representing the city departments were Police Chief Trevor Berger, Gerald Schwartz from the Fire departments and Steve Bomstad of the maintenance department.

The minutes of the regular meeting of July 2, 2014, was motioned for approval by Hagstrom second by Tagtow. Motion carried unanimously.

BEN & BRENDA THIEWES – OVERGROWN LANDSCAPING

The Thiewes came before the council to request the resident at the corner of Co Road 2 and Wyoming. The bushes have grown up again and are blocking the visibility to the North bound traffic. In a car you can’t see anyone coming. Council directed Police Chief Berger to remind them to transplant the bushes, to make sure the problem is permanently taken care of.

dick and marge rierson regarding chickens in town

Rierson’s and Dean Carlson appeared before the council concerned that the living conditions next door at Ashlee Turnbull for the animals is becoming a bad problem. They are concerned about rats and mice moving into the area. He then shared pictures he had taken of the back yard. There is feed all over the yard and a hole was dug and plastic bag placed over the hole for the ducks to drink out of. The waste litter has been dumped by the fence line. The dog was also sitting in its own waste. Tagtow commented that Willmar just rescinded their chicken ordinance. Chief of Police Berger was directed to tell them to clean the yard and get rid of chicken waste. Also remind them they are not to have chickens or ducks in town and find them a new home.

Dean Carlson also asked if it was legal for Tom Heimerl to do recycling of appliances at his house. He keeps piling up more and more along the buildings.

DICK WETZEL – FERGUSON WATER METERS

The Ferguson meter will detect leaks, tampering, and backflow. They can be read 1500 to 2000 feet, should only take 10 to 15 minutes to read all the meters in town. The smart meter contains data and logs the water usage for 96 days. With competitive bid he can piggy back the offer to us during 2014 a price of $129.25 each meter, but must order all meters at one time. If Ferguson installed the meters it would costs $51 per house. There is support after the sale. Tagtow questioned if we really need to purchase new meters. Wetzel explained that old meters get less and less accurate as time goes by. The lower flow such as a toilet flushing doesn’t always register on older meters.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Chief Trevor Berger reviewed the July 2014 police report. In the budget for next year is a new laptop for the squads and printers for the new digital tickets required by the state.

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT

Schwartz informed the council that the budget will remain the same. Information from Willmar Fire Department to serve as “head department” to get equipment for the rest of the departments in the Kandiyohi County. Trying to get SCBA to marry up with each other between the departments in the County. There was one addition to the fire department and ambulance department, she will be going through training this fall. He is also requesting that there be a written agreement between Atwater Fire Department and Willmar Ambulance. Due to lack of personal in town during the day. It would be from 6 am until 6 pm, Willmar needs to have approval from their hospital board. Motion was made by Hagstrom and second by Wortham to approve an agreement with Willmar ambulance for a six month trial period. Motion carried by all voting in favor.

Next a motion was made by Schmidt to support the study by the Willmar Fire Department to look at equipment in each fire department and see if possible grants can be received to update or replace equipment was second by Hagstrom. Motion carried by all voting in favor of the grant.

Lake Elizabeth is asking to add a section at last Fire Board meeting but will be discussed at the official fall meeting on August 15th.

Maintenance/parks department

Bomstad wants windows added the maintenance garage which will cost $596.50 by Willmar overhead door. Motion to add a window was made by Hagstrom and second Tagtow. All voted in favor, so motion passed. Dale Hoerchletr asked if he could chip the wood at the brush site for free. Bomstad will double check. Crack fillers did exactly $5000. Possibly seal cost Third Street North was discussed with no decision made.

PARKS department

Hagstrom is going to request monies from Marv Otto for playground equipment with the city giving $10,000 and the rest of the $45,000 will come from donations, and fund raisers. The people playing the Frisbee golf this year would like to add 6 more holes, Hagstrom told them if they raise the money to add the holes it would be fine with the city. We need to update and add lights in the bathroom and park shelter for $1175 from Barker Electric with motion sensors. Motion was made by Schmidt and second by Wortham to have the lights installed. Motion was in favor by all so it passed.

CLERKS DEPARTMENT

Clerk Smith submitted to the council the check register for July and cash flow. A thank you from the family of Ardell Thompson and from Mickey Peterson for credit on her water bill during the frozen period of time. Also Atwater Area Help for Seniors thanked the city for their recent donation. Sharon Cramlet asked for a credit during the time the water lines were freezing totaling $51.39. Cramlet’s credit was approved by the council.

A motion was made by Wortham and second by Hagstrom to have John Douville work on a pay scale for the city at $75 an hour plus mileage at a maximum of $3,000. Those who voted in favor were Schmidt, Wortham and Hagstrom. Tagtow abstained since he felt he didn’t know enough about the subject. Motion carried.

Immanuel youth would like to have a car wash at the Community Center on the August 16th, council had no problem with them using the water.

CHICKEN ORDINANCE

Council discussion started off with Tagtow is now not for the ordinance. He doesn’t want to force people to live next door to the chickens. It is hard to tell who would be responsible chicken owner. Hagstrom was in favor of the neighbors having to sign a petition letting them in the neighborhood. He was also upset that people went out and purchased chickens before the ordinance was even brought before the council. Wortham made a motion dropping the chicken ordinance conversation and leave it alone. Tagtow was worried that he wouldn’t want to tell anyone they couldn’t have chickens if they need them to feed their family. Motion failed for lack of second but general consensus was to not spend any more time on the matter.

HARVEST BANK – EFT PAYMENT FOR WATER AND SEWER BILLS

Motion was made by Hagstrom and second by Wortham to add an automatic withdrawal for residents to pay their water and sewer bill through Harvest Bank. Motion carried by all.

SUNDAY LIQUOR ON GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT

With the General election coming up the council needs to decide if they want to place Sunday liquor on the ballot. Motion was made by Wortham and second by Hagstrom. Vote went as follows: Yea; Hagstrom, Wortham and Olson, Nay; Schmidt and Tagtow. Motion carried and will be on the General Election ballot.

RESOLUTION 2014-13 RESOLUTION ORDERING IMPROVEMENT AND PREPARE PLANS FOR 2015 STREET PROJECT

A letter from Motion was made by Wortham and second by Hagstrom to continue on and proceed with the preparation of plans for the Fourth Street South and Pacific Ave street project for 2015. Tagtow was concerned about carrying more debt before we have a chance to get rid of the current debt in 2016/2017. Vote went as follows: Yea; Schmidt, Wortham, Hagstrom, Olson. Nay; Tagtow. Motion carried by 4/5th vote.

DANCE PERMITS

Dance permits for the IDK and HandleBar for the month of September was motioned by Hagstrom and second by Wortham. Motion carried unanimously. IDK off premises liquor licenses for a birthday party at the Strong Garage on September, was motioned by Hagstrom and second by Wortham. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF BILLS

The following verified accounts were presented for payment, upon approval of the Finance Committee; it was moved by Schmidt and second by Wortham. Motion carried authorizing the Clerk/Treasurer to make such disbursements: August 7th, 2014 (Checks numbers 25459-25516 for $ 26,169.30). Motion carried.

A motion was made to adjourn by Tagtow at 9:21 p.m.

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Goldie Smith

City Clerk/Treasurer

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