City of Hinckley s1
City of Hinckley
City Council Minutes August 8, 2017
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular Hinckley City Council meeting was called to order on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Don Zeman.
Members present: Mayor Don Zeman, Council members Dave Hopkins, John Frank, and Tim Burkhardt (8:02 p.m.) Also present: City Administrator Kyle Morell, City Engineers Mark Kasma and Cristina Mlejnek, Fire Chief Elliott Golly, Steve Grinsteinner, Deputy Joe Workman, Lynea Rudy, Barb Woody, Ailene Croup, and Alycia Vander Vegt.
Mayor Zeman announced that Richard Anderson has resigned his position on Council effected Monday, August 7, 2017. Council will discuss the vacancy later in the meeting.
Agenda
On a motion by Frank, second by Hopkins, the agenda was approved with the addition of 8 E Councilmember Resignation. Carried 3-0.
Previous Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Frank, seconded by Hopkins, to approve the July 11 Regular Council Meeting minutes. Carried 3-0.
Public Hearings
None
Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Hopkins, seconded by Frank, to approve the consent agenda. Carried 3-0.
A. Hinckley Fire Relief Association – Temporary On-Sale, 10/7/17
B. Hinckley Athletic Association – Temporary On-Sale, 7/6/18 & 7/7/18
C. Hinckley Athletic Association – Strong Beer & Wine, Brennan Field, 2018 Season
D. Fireworks Display Permit – Pyro Engineering, Grand Casino, 8/19/17
Reports of Officers, Council Committees, & Citizen Committees
Pine County Sheriff’s Office – Deputy Joe Workman
Staff presented Council with revised contract language. Councilmember Hopkins asked about increasing the contract hours to 12 hours per day Friday through Monday to coincide with the Sheriff Office’s busiest days in town. Adding eight hours a week would add approximately $21,000 to the contract in 2018. Staff will provide the Sheriff with the updated language and discuss whether adding the hours is feasible. Staff will have more information at the budget meeting scheduled for August 22nd.
Bolton & Menk – Mark Kasma and Cristina Mlejnek
1) HWY 48 MN DOT Project – The bid opening for the Weber Ave sewer project on Friday, August 4th yielded a low bid by Peterson Companies of $101,638.15. The engineers estimate was $144,973.95. The project is scheduled to get started in late September, after MnDOT brings the sewer line across Hwy 48.
A motion was made by Hopkins, seconded by Frank, to approve the low bid by Peterson Companies of $101,638.15. Carried 3-0.
In order to run the sewer line through the cemetery, the City will need to buy 32 plots from Rosehill Cemetery to secure the easement needed for the new sewer line. The Cemetery Board is proposing a cost of $400 per plot, for a total of $12,800.00.
A motion was made by Hopkins, seconded by Frank, to purchase 32 plots for a total of $12,800.00 from Rosehill Cemetery. Carried 3-0.
Fire Department
1) Public Safety Building Bathroom – The bathroom has been completed, but there seems to be a problem with the toilets. Flushing a toilet in the men’s room causes water to bubble up in the woman’s room. A plumber has been contacted to look into this problem.
2) 2018 Budget – The Department’s 2018 budget was presented for approval, it represents a 3% increase over 2017. The budget is presented in August for approval so that fire contacts with the townships can be approved and sent out for approval.
A motion was made by Hopkins, seconded by Frank, to approve the Fire Department’s 2018 budget. Carried 3-0.
3) 2018 Fire Contracts – Staff presented the 2018 Fire Contract Amounts for review and approval. The formula used is a weighted average of tax capacity, total number of runs and run hours over the last five years. Contracts are sent out by the end of August so townships can levy for next year’s amount.
A motion was made by Frank, seconded by Hopkins, to approve the 2018 Fire Contract amounts. Carried 3-0.
4) Fire Relief Association – The Relief Association would like to increase its retirement benefit from $1,400 for every year served to $1,500. The Association has total assets of $570,797.23 and liabilities totaling $375,600.00, leaving their retirement account with a positive net worth of $195,197.23. The fund is healthy enough to support this increase to their retirement benefit.
A motion was made by Frank, seconded by Hopkins to approve the Fire Relief Association retirement benefit increase, Carried 2-0, Hopkins abstained.
5) Delinquent Fire Call – Mr. & Mrs. Danforth were scheduled to be at the meeting to dispute fire call 32-17. They are not in attendance.
6) Volunteer Rescue Group – At the Department’s August 1st meeting, they voted to add Hinckley Volunteer EMS to the Department. Staff and Council support the motion but need to work out the legalities of the merger before proceeding.
7) Third Tanker – Chief Golly said the third tanker is being prepped for sale. Any offer for the truck needs to be approved by Council.
Firehouse Liquors
1) Monthly Report – Staff presented the monthly reports to Council. Profit and Loss year-to-date is $42,935.94. This lags behind the July 2016 total of $84,058.54. Total store inventory was $314,301.37. The inventory as of August 8th, was $278,154.74. The store continue to rebound from a slow start, but lags behind 2016 numbers. The On-Sale continues its inconsistent performance. Council asked for middle of the month revenue reports for August, which staff will provide at its August 22nd meeting.
Planning Commission – None
1) Comprehensive Plan – The Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) was presented for approval. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 25th and recommended its approval. Councilmember Hopkins would like the City to consider developing design standards to go along with the Comp Plan.
A motion was made by Hopkins, seconded by Frank, to approve the Comprehensive Plan and task the Planning Commission with developing universal design standards for the City. Carried 3-0.
2) Barb Woody Minor Subdivision – Barb Woody has applied for a minor subdivision of the property located at 411 3rd St SE. The subdivision will accommodate the current single family home as well as two additional residential lots. The three parcels met the minimum lot requirements in the zoning code.
A motion was made by Frank, seconded by Hopkins, to approve the Minor Subdivision request. Carried 3-0.
Park Board
None
Unfinished Business
1) Brush Pile – Staff asked Council for comments to the article printed in the Hinckley News after the last meeting. Staff had received no comments from the public. Councilmember Hopkins said he has received numerous comments and believes the City should work to staff the brush pile with seasonal help to keep it open two days a week during the summer. Staff will post for the position.
2) Ordinance Recodification – Staff presented a quote from American Legal Publishing for $9,000 to recodify the City’s code of ordinances. ALP’s legal review does point out conflicting ordinances and outdated language. They also use model language from The League of Minnesota Cities whenever possible. The process takes about a year.
A motion was made by Hopkins, seconded by Frank, to approve the ordinance recodification quote from American Legal Publishing. Carried 4-0.
New Business
1) Salt Shed – Staff presented two quotes for the construction of a new 60’ salt shed behind public works. Sherman Lumber quoted an 18’ deep building for $19,113.85. Kordiak Building & Remodeling quoted a 12’ deep building for $16,000.00. The square foot cost of the Sherman building is less than the cost of the building proposed to be built by Kordiak. Council believes the 18’ deep building is better suited to the City’s needs.
A motion was made by Hopkins, seconded by Burkhardt, to hire Sherman Lumber to build a salt shed as quoted for $19,113.85. Carried 4-0.
2) Ordinance 09-2017 – Securing Vacant Properties – Staff presented a draft of Ordinance 09-2017 which outlines how the City could go about securing vacant or dilapidated houses. The ordinance based on model language from The League of Minnesota Cities. It provides the City with another tool to legally secure vacant houses if the homeowners choose to let the house go.
A motion was made by Hopkins, seconded by Frank, to approve Ordinance 09-2017 – Securing of Vacant Houses. Carried 4-0.
3) Sewer Pond Gate – Two quotes were presented to install a motorized gate at the wastewater treatment plant. The automated gate would ensure the brush pile stays closed to residents at all times instead of only when PeopleService is off site. Barnum Gate Services quoted $11,280.00 for purchase and installation. Town & County Fence quoted $8,609.25.
A motion was made by Burkhardt, seconded by Hopkins, to approve the quote from Town & County Fence in the amount of $8,690.25 and pay for the gate out of the sewer fund. Carried 4-0.
4) Grindstone River Dam – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sent a letter to residents surrounding Grindstone River Dam notifying them of a public open house in September to discuss the DNR’s decision to possibly remove the dam. Council asked staff to write a letter to the City’s local and federal representatives regarding the importance of the Dam to Hinckley.
A motion was made by Hopkins, seconded by Burkhardt, to draft a letter in support of the Dam and get it out as soon as possible in advance of the DNR meeting in September. Carried 4-0.
5) Councilmember Resignation – Staff reiterated that Richard Anderson resigned his position on Council effective immediately on Monday, August 7th, 2017.
A motion was made by Burkhardt, seconded by Hopkins, to post for a replacement immediately. Carried 4-0.
Presentation of Claims
Frank made a motion, seconded by Burkhardt, to pay the presented claims. Carried 4-0.
General Fund Payables $ 265,934.96 Payroll $ 20,254.88
General Fund Automatic Electronic Withdraw $ 70.38
Special Revenue Fund Payables $ 297,075.50 Payroll $ 15,061.84
Special Revenue Fund Automatic Electronic Withdraw $ 2,704.47
Notices and Communications
Two notices were send out for various ordinance violations.
Presentations of Petitions, Complaints, and Requests (3 Minutes)
None
Announcements
Mayor Zeman put a notice in the paper asking the public for their input on the needs and wants of the City for its 2018 budget.
On motion by Frank, second by Hopkins, the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Carried 3-0.
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Don Zeman, Mayor
Attest:
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Kyle H. Morell, Clerk Administrator
Hinckley Economic Development Authority
August 8, 2017
The EDA Business meeting was called to order by Vice-President Hopkins at 8:37 p.m.
Agenda
A motion was made by Zeman, seconded by Burkhardt, to approve the EDA agenda, with the addition of “D. Old Ambulance Space”. Carried 4-0.
CEPCO Reports
The June CEPCO report was presented. Staff is not aware of any issues at Hinckley Manor.
EDA Payables
A motion was made by Hopkins, seconded by Zeman, to approve the EDA payables. Carried 4-0.
EDA Payables $ 0.00
EDA Automatic Electronic Withdraw $ 617.04
Old Ambulance Space
Public Works would like to move its office into the space formally rented by the ambulance. The EDA Board had been trying to rent the property out, but had been unable to find a renter. Public Works currently pays the EDA $1,500 a month in rent. By consensus the Board agreed to let Public Works use the space and increased their rent to $2,000 per month.
The EDA business meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m. on motion by Zeman, seconded by Burkhardt. Carried 4-0.
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John Frank, President
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Kyle Morell, Secretary