CITY OF BLUE EARTH
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL and
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, January 05, 2009– 5:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hammond called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Roll call was taken: Councilmembers Brod, Gaylord, Wiborg, Maher, Scholtes, Huisman and Mayor Hammond were present. Staff members present were: City Administrator Kathy Bailey, City Attorney David Frundt and City Engineer Bill Sayre.
DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM
After roll call, Mayor Hammond determined there was a quorum.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Hammond led the pledge of allegiance.
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
At this time Mayor Hammond recognized those present from the Blue Earth Area Mentor program “BEAM”. Mayor Hammond signed the Proclamation and recognized the declaration of January 2009 “National Mentoring Month”.
CITY OF BLUE EARTH PROCLAMATION
JANUARY 2009 NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH
WHEREAS, Young people who have mentors have a better chance of succeeding and are more likely to make positive choices; and
WHEREAS, a study conducted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America found that mentored youth are 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs; 27% less likely to use alcohol; 53% less likely to skip school; and 33% less likely to engage in violence; and
WHEREAS, in Minnesota, there are an estimated 450, 000 "at-risk" young people who could benefit from an adult mentor; and
WHEREAS, all it takes is one committed, caring adult to make a difference in a child's life.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, in the City of Blue Earth, which celebrates with the Blue Earth Area Mentor program and thousands of adult mentors in Minnesota, and in a determined effort to recruit new mentors, I Mayor Rob Hammond. do hereby proclaim January 2009, as NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH.
Mary Lucas and several other members of the Blue Earth Area Mentor’s were present to accept the Proclamation. Mary Lucas thanked the Council and particularly Mayor Robert Hammond, Councilmembers Glenn Gaylord and John Huisman who have been active in the Mentoring program.
At this time Mayor Hammond addressed former County Commissioner Barb Steier. Mayor Hammond thanked Barb Steier for her years of service as a county Commissioner and recognized several areas of accomplishments that included the North Main Street Bridge and the County Law Enforcement Center.
CITY OF Blue Earth PROCLAMATION
RECOGNITION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER BARB STEIER
for SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF FARIBUALT COUNTY
WHEREAS, Barb Steier as a County Commissioner has served the citizens of Blue Earth and Faribault County from April 24, 2002 to December 31, 2008;
and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steier has shown strong leadership by serving as a member of many committees for the County and:
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steier was an active representative and voice of citizens;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Blue Earth, Faribault County, Minnesota, that the City recognizes the many contributions Commissioner Steier has made in the name of public service;
and
FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council extends its gratitude and appreciation to Commissioner Barb Steier, on behalf of all of the citizens of Blue Earth.
Barb Steier thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunities of working with the City and stated that the projects as recognized do help jobs stay in Blue Earth.
Mayor Hammond addressed Rodney Anderson who was present with regard to the proposed airport runway extension. Rodney Anderson asked the council for more details on the $5 million airport runway expansion project and asked that he be updated as to any proposed changes in plans and specs related to the airport expansion project. Rodney Anderson asked when the construction is proposed to begin. Rodney Anderson also questioned if the runway will be a 4,600 feet or 4,800 runway. City Engineer Bill Sayre responded that the runway will be 4,600 feet. Rodney Anderson asked that an airport meeting be scheduled with an effort to get any updated information discussed and made clear of the proposed airport expansion. In response to Mr. Anderson’s concerns, City Engineer Bill Sayre stated construction would not begin until September and added that the two-year project also hinges on whether the city receives federal funding. Mayor Hammond concluded the discussion with direction given to schedule an airport committee meeting with the above discussed issue on the agenda.
City Attorney David Frundt reported that there had been issues with regard to the Kramer Building abandoned contents over the past few days and the Gentleman present was waiting to speak with him after the Council Meeting tonight.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Councilmember Maher, second by Councilmember Huisman to approve the minutes from the Regular Council Meeting and Work Session of Monday, December 15, 2008. The minutes were approved unanimously.
At this time City Attorney David Frundt addressed the swearing in of the “Newly Elected” officials. The following Councilmembers recited after City Attorney David Frundt:
Councilmember Glenn Gaylord, Councilmember Rick Scholtes and Councilmember John Huisman. Mayor Robert Hammond’s oath concluded the swearing in ceremony.
LICENSES AND PERMITS
There were no licenses or permits at this time.
CORRESPONDENCE
The Council offered no discussion to the correspondence to the Minnesota Revenue information as provided.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
There was no scheduled hearing at this time.
REPORTS FROM STAFF
Fire Chief
Minutes from Fire and Rescue meetings of September, October and November 2008.
There were no reports given for the following:
Police Chief
Public Works
Economic Development Director
City Attorney
City Engineer
REPORTS FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSION
Mayor Hammond made note to the Charter Commission information as the only minutes provided.
Charter Commission
2008 Annual Report of the City of Blue Earth to the District Judge. The Council offered no discussion to the Charter Commission report as presented.
There were no reports given to the following:
Library Board Liaison
Economic Development Authority Liaison
Housing and Redevelopment Authority Liaison
Senior Center Board Liaison
Faribault County Fitness Center Board Liaison
Board of Public Works Liaison
Other Boards and Commissions
Joint Fire Service Advisory board
Joint Powers Agreement Board/School Resource Officer
Planning Commission
Board of Zoning Appeals
Joint Airport Zoning Board
Blue Earth Airport Advisory Board
Board of Review
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL
There were no reports given for the following Committees:
Parks & Recreation Subcommittee, Budget & Finance Subcommittee,
Street Improvement Subcommittee, Highway 169 Landscape Subcommittee and the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Local Officials.
Motion by Councilmember Gaylord, second by Councilmember Brod to approve the reports of the Boards and Commissions as presented. The motion was approved unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
There were no Consent items at this time.
OLD BUSINESS
There were no agenda items at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
At this time Mayor Hammond addressed the New Business agenda items as follows:
Motion by Councilmember Huisman, second by Councilmember Scholtes approving the 2009 Council Meeting dates as follows:
Monday, January 5, 2009
Monday, January 19th change to Tuesday January 20, 2009 (Martin Luther King Day)
Monday, February 2, 2009
Monday, February 16th change to Tuesday, February 17, 2009 (President’s Day)
Monday, March 2, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Monday, September 7th change to Tuesday September 8th, 2009 (Labor Day)
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
The motion passed ominously.
City Administrator Kathy Bailey explained the Internal Control Policy. The policy gives detail for each respective Department and staff as listed. The document is a required document under the Statement of Auditing Standards (SAS) 104-110 and describes the City’s internal controls for financial accounting. The format is standard, but each city has different procedures and numbers of employees to ensure that there are as many as possible checks and balances in place. The City Auditor will review yearly and compare the document to whom and how processes for accounting are are actually performed.
Motion by Councilmember Scholtes, second by Councilmember Gaylord approving the Internal Control Policy as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
At this time Mayor Hammond addressed the Mayor Appointments of Boards, Commissions and Standing Committees and noted that appointments will remain as they have been. Consideration of Appointment of David Frundt as City Attorney, Faribault County Register as the official newspaper and Steve Anderson as Local Building official.
Motion by Councilmember Wiborg, second by Councilmember Brod approving the appointments of Boards, Commissions and Standing Committees and noted that appointments will remain as they have bee in addition to the Appointment of David Frundt as City Attorney, Faribault County Register as the official newspaper and Steve Anderson as Local Building official. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion by Councilmember Scholtes, second by Councilmember Huisman to adopt RESOLUTION 09-01, CITY OF BLUE EARTH RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DESIGNATION OF DEPOSITORIES FOR THE FUNDS OF THE CITY
WHEREAS, City Council hereby authorizes the designation of depositories for the funds of the City and authorizes the Clerk Treasurer make the investment of these funds.
WHERES, before any deposits are made that exceed the amount that is guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the depository must supply to the City a corporate surety bond in the amount of at least 10 percent more than the amount on deposit plus accrued interest at the close of the business day. The bond is subject to the approval of the City Council. The surety bond must be conditioned to repay the above amount or any part thereof upon proper demand therefore and to perform such other duties in connection with the deposits as the council may require.
WHEREAS, in lieu of the above bond, the depository may furnish collateral in the manner and to the extent permitted by law. All such collateral must be approved by the Council and accompanied by a written assignment providing that, upon default, the financial institution shall release to the City on demand, free exchange or any other charges, the collateral pledge.
WHEREAS, all collateral must be placed in safekeeping in a restricted account at either a Federal Reserve Bank or in an account at a trust department of a commercial bank or other financial institution that is not owned or controlled by the financial institution that is furnishing the collateral. The selection must be approved by the City Council. In case of default upon the part of the depository, the City Council shall have full power and authority to sell such collateral or as much as may be necessary to realize the full amount due the City over such federal guarantee.
This designation shall be in effective to December 31, 2009.
NOW THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLUE EARTH, MINNESOTA:
The designation of the following financial institutions as depositories for the funds of the City:
First Bank of Blue Earth
Wells Federal Bank
Wells Fargo Bank
Northland Securities
Smith Barney
Resolution 09-01 passed unanimously.
Mayor Hammond requested agenda items for the Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Work Session Agenda. Councilmember Brod requested that the Airport runway, snow removal and snowmobiles be placed on the agenda.
Councilman Dan Brod explained his request to discuss the airport and stated that his question is whether it's actually worth spending those kinds of funds would be worth the effort when Fairmont’s airport is just 20 miles away.
Councilmember Wiborg agreed and stated that he has had people ask him the same questions to the airport in addition to questions to the street assessment process.
City Administrator Kathy Bailey explained one reason for the airport expansion is economic development.
Mayor Rob Hammond reminded the City Councilmembers that they have had the information presented at several separate Council meetings. The Mayor also reminded the Council hat they have discussed and approved the information on how much is going to be spent and why and voted twice in favor of the expansion.
Mayor Hammond stated that the council can still back out, but the funds spent on engineering are not refundable. Councilmember Brod stated that having the full information again is preferred because maybe the information just didn’t didn't hit home the first time.
Councilmember Brod brought discussion back to the issue of Committee appointments and asked if consideration to smaller committees. Mayor Hammond reminded the Council that former Interim City administrator Bill Bassett had informed the council that by having four members on the committees, the council has been violating open meeting laws since there is a quorum of council members present. Mayor Hammond asked the council if assignment of the whole council to those meetings treat the meetings as regular council meeting, with notice about the meetings posted publicly prior to each. Councilman Dick Maher did not agree with the proposal, and suggested fewer council members be on those committee. Councilmember Maher and Councilmember Brod were in favor of citizen representation to the Committee Meetings.
Councilman Glenn Gaylord was in favor of the smaller aspects of the parks committee and then followed by the full council. Councilman John Huisman could see reducing the number of council members on the parks committee but because the street committee is such a high priority of the community, the full Council should be involved. Councilman Rick Scholtes discussed all members should be on both committees so they will be better informed.
Councilmember Wiborg discussed having set meetings like the second and fourth Monday set aside for committee meetings and then if there were no agenda items not have the meeting.
Mayor Hammond asked those present if there were volunteers willing to go off any respective Committee. Councilmember Brod would go off the Parks Committee and Councilmember Maher would go off the Street Committee.
Mayor Hammond discussed the elimination of the Finance Committee. There was no discussed opposition to the elimination of the Finance Committee in addition to leaving all liaison assignments as is.