City of Blue Earth s4
CITY OF BLUE EARTH
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, September 52017 5:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Mayor Gaylord called the meeting to order at 5:02 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Gaylord, Huisman, Erichsrud, Warner, and Cole were present. Excused Mayor Scholtes and Council Member Cassem.
Staff members present: City Administrator Timothy Ibisch, City Attorney David Frundt and Assistant City Engineer Matt Cole.
DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM
Quorum present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice-Mayor Gaylord led the pledge of allegiance.
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Public Present:
Tim Stoner Blue Earth Light & Water, Norm Hall KBEW, Robert Brewer Faribault County Register, and Natalie Howell Fairmont Sentinel.
Public Comment: Tim Stoner, General Manager of Blue Earth Light and Water brought forth a request for the approval of tax exempt lease financing from US Bank to complete the water meter installation project. This is in the amount of $363,329.00 with an interest rate of 2.240% and the payments will be spread out over 5 years.
Motion by Huisman, second by Cole to approve Blue Earth Light and Water’s request to authorize finance via the lease program. The motion was approved unanimously
Council member Gaylord asked Stoner why he had not received forewarning of the project on S. Galbraith. He indicated that he felt Light&Water should have provided prior information on the water main project.
Stoner indicated that it was brought forth last fall and that the Street committee discussed the project in the 2 block section of South Galbraith.
Gaylord recommended that Blue Earth Light and Water and the Council need to a have regular work session to discuss upcoming projects so that everyone would be updated and on the same page. Ibisch will schedule this for the next Worksession.
Huisman inquired about the solar units and if they had been sold, and how the project seems to be going. Stoner relied the units have been sold and mentioned the project seems to be going very well. Commercial and industrial clients will buy the remainder.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Warner, second by Huisman to approve the minutes from the Work Session and Council Meeting of Monday, August 21, 2017. The motion was approved unanimously.
LICENSES AND PERMITS
There were no licenses or permits at this time.
CORRESPONDENCE
Next City Administrator Timothy Ibisch explained to the Council that a complaint received from an out of town landlord, namely Danny Klous. Mr. Klous disagreed with the cost of the tree removal from his property.
Councilman Warner commented that the reaction to the notice was delayed and that Klous was given a reasonable amount of time and that the homeowner should be responsible for the tree removal bill.
Huisman inquired if the City nuisance ordinances were adequate for the City and if residents where following them. Ibisch mentioned that some homeowners choose to ignore the notices and that the enforcement rules need to be the same for all homeowners and reinforced with how the policy reads that the city needs to stick to the time frame given. After discussion, the Council dismissed the request from Mr. Klous for forgiveness of part of his bill.
REPORTS FROM STAFF
Senior Center: Ibisch mentioned that the Senior Center had a good grouped attend the boat trip to Okoboji. The Senior Center staff had done an outstanding job.
City Attorney: David Frundt proposed the Outlot B update of Valley Highland Drive first reading. He noted the parcels to be vacated to the neighbors with no additional cost of the property owners. The only additional cost would be the addition of property tax paid which is quite minor.
Huisman inquired of the squatter house if anything had been done or the progress of the removal of this person. Frundt mentioned that October 1st starts the process of removal that the squatter has 14 days to abandon the property.
City Engineer: Matt Cole updated the council on the progress of the East side housing development, mentioning that they received 22 requests for information regarding the project.
Cole mentioned that the Waste Water Plant project is underway, the contractor is moving in equipment and project materials are being dropped off. End date of the project is set for November 2018.
REPORTS FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSION
Library Board meeting 09-11-17
Economic Development Authority meeting 9-14-17
Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting 9-11-17
Senior Center Board meeting 9-12-17
Faribault County Fitness Center Board Meeting to be determined
Motion by Huisman, second by Erichsrud to accept the reports of the Boards and Commissions as presented. The motion was approved unanimously
CONSENT AGENDA
None.
OLD BUSINESS
Ibisch discussed the included budget items and noted that he had shifted a number of items in response to the feedback received from the Council. One of those shifts is related to the new pool slide. Any monies for that will come from the liquor fund. Additionally, Ibisch requested that the Public Hearing for the preliminary levy be set for 6:00 pm on September 18th. Vice-mayor Gaylord ordered it so. Ibisch asked Councilmembers to bring their questions regarding the budget to him.
NEW BUSINESS
Blue Earth Fire and Rescue submitted an Employee Travel Request Authorization. Assistant Chief Ashley Bleess and Lt. Bill Rosenau request authorization to attend the Fire Chiefs Conference October 19th through October 21st.
Motion by Erichsrud, second by Cole to accept the Travel Request from the Blue Earth fire and Rescue. The motion was approved unanimously.
Gaylord mentioned that the training the fire department attends at the conference is worthwhile, you see how training helps improve the department as well as the appreciation we have for a good group of volunteers.
Recycling contact proposals: Two proposals were received: on from B&B and the other from Waste Management. The staff recommendation would be to go with B&B sanitation. B&B sanitation is willing to utilize the lighter vehicles on the city streets to prevent further damage.
Huisman inquired what the plan would be to educate the public of the new service to the city. Cyphers mentioned that there will be information handed out as well as the employees will be available for inquires. Huisman inquired where the recycling would be hauled to for sorting. Cyphers replied that all the recycling would be hauled up to North Mankato.
Ibisch inquired if B&B felt that they would be able to maintain service levels expected by the City of Blue Earth. Cyphers mentioned that the Plan is to hire additional staff. 1 New staff member has been hired and trained. Days the pickup would take place are Thursdays and Fridays.
Huisman inquired of the options that Waste Management is proposing.
Ibisch mentioned that difference with Waste Management the trucks are 4.57 ton and the sealed coated streets are for 3-ton vehicles. The heavy vehicles are damaging the streets. This is the strength of the B&B proposal as they are offering the lighter pickup truck style to utilize on the streets.
Huisman requested more time to look through the Waste System proposal and that he was not ready to vote on this item, requesting it be brought back to the next council session.
Ibisch commented that the item will be brought back to the next council meeting on September 18th.
Airport Management Contract: Luke Steier’s packet was reviewed with the requested changes to the mowing portion. Gaylord inquired if there were any other applicants for the management position. Ibisch indicated that there had not been any other valid applications. Gaylord indicated that the Steiers had always done an excellent job and that Luke Steier should be given the position of Airport Manager.
Motion by Cole, second by Warner to Approve the 2018-2020 airport management contract. The motion was approved unanimously
Next the Council reviewed the yearly state airport maintenance grant contract. After brief discussion:
Motion by Cole, second by Warner to Approve Resolution 17-5 Airport Maintenance Grant. The motion was approved unanimously
BILLS AND INVESTMENTS
Motion by Warner, second by Huisman to pay the bills and the receipt of the financials for August 2017. The motion was approved unanimously
REPORT OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Ibisch mentioned the regional meetings are coming up, agendas are available if interested. Council Member Cole and he would be attending the New Ulm regional Meeting on October 12th. If there were any other interested Councilmembers then contact City Hall and we can get them registered to attend.
Ibisch updated the Council on the Giant Museum floorplan; the updated plans are available in the packet. The design looks very nice. Ibisch has submitted the first draft of the grant request to the state Dept. of Administration.
OTHER BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Huisman, second by Erichsrud to adjourn the meeting. Vice-Mayor Gaylord adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 5:47 P.M.
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