City of Mahnomen
City Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, June 6, 2011
6:30 P.M.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Warnsholz, Kochmann, Jaeger, Durant and Lee.
Also present: Nancy Reller, City Engineer Kris Carlson, Tribal Treasurer Robert Durant, Wayne Ahmann, Sue Kraft, Carl Malmstrom, and Jerry Carrier.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Martin Warnsholz
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION by Lee, second by Durant to approve the agenda, adding two late items. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Nancy Reller addressed the Council about replacing her front deck; the permit was denied due to setback requirements and is a nonconforming use. The issue was referred to the City Attorney for review due to new State zoning laws.
MINUTES
MOTION by Jaeger, second by Lee to approve the May 16, 2011 minutes. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
Reading of the Bills
MOTION by Lee, second by Kochmann to approve the June 6, 2011 list of claims totaling $25,464.50. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
RESIGNATION OF JAEGER AS HOSPITAL BOARD MEMBER AND APPOINTMENT OF NEW BOARD MEMBER
Councilor Jaeger resigned his position on the Hospital Board.
MOTION by Lee, second by Kochmann to accept the resignation of Jaeger. Carried with Warnsholz, Kochmann, Jaeger, Durant and Lee all voting,
“Yes.” Jaeger Abstained.
The Council discussed a new appointment.
MOTION by Jaeger, second by Lee to approve the appointment of Robert Durant to represent the City and the Tribal Council on the Hospital Board. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
BIDS FOR LIFT STATION PROJECT
The Council reviewed the bids for the Lift Station Project. The City received 8 qualified bids for the project. The lowest bid was by R.L. Larson Excavating, Inc. at $392.806. The City Engineer recommended this bid to the Council.
MOTION by Kochmann, second by Jaeger to approve, with engineer’s recommendation, the low bid of $392,806.00 from R.L. Larson Excavating, Inc. for the Lift Station Project. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
STREET REPAIR PROJECT
Since the Lift Station Project was approximately $76,000 under the cost estimate, the City Administrator asked the Council to consider adding street repairs for two very deteriorated places near First Street and Minnesota Avenue to the project. Preliminary cost estimates were $25,800. The Council expressed interest in possibly adding this to the project and asked staff to explore further options.
WILD RICE LOUNGE PATIO ADDITION
Staff presented some prices for the addition of an outdoor patio to the Wild Rice Lounge. The components were a 25’X 30’ concrete slab, fencing, replacing the metal door with a glass side door on the Lounge, and a pergola. The estimated cost of the project was $17,808.37 without the pergola and $22,183.37 with the pergola. It was stated that staff would install the fencing, black dirt and seed the area, two security cameras for an approximate cost of $140 per camera would be added when the system is upgraded in the near future.
MOTION by Jaeger, second by Durant to approve the project without the pergola. Motion Carried with Warnsholz, Jaeger, Durant voting, “Yes.” Kochmann and Lee voting “No.”
PERSONNEL POLICY
The Council reviewed the draft policy. They decided to review and approve five pages per Council Meeting during the next eight regular meetings.
RENTAL HOUSING
The Council again reviewed the three proposed Ordinances: The Rental Unit Registration, The Dwelling Maintenance and a Property Maintenance Ordinances. After a brief discussion, they decided to form a committee of volunteers to advise the council. They instructed the Administrator to advertise for volunteers.
SEWER AND WATER BILLING ON A MONTHLY BASIS WITH WILD RICE ELECTRIC
The Administrator discussed the possibility of Wild Rice Electric contracting with the City to do the sewer and water billing on a monthly basis. The Council had previously discussed changing from a quarterly to a monthly billing for sewer and water to ease the financial strain on citizens when the utility increases are enacted. The Administrator reiterated that for the City to do this monthly additional part-time staff would have to be hired and that it may be cheaper and more efficient to contract out these services. In discussions with Wild Rice Electric a software bridge would need to be created for Wild Rice Electric to assess the project and costs. The cost of this work is estimated at $1,184.
MOTION by Lee, second by Jaeger to approve the software project. Motion Carried with Warnsholz, Jaeger, Durant and Lee voting, “Yes.” Kochmann voting “No.”
LOCAL BOARD OF APPEAL AND EQUALIZATION TRAINING
Mahnomen County Assessor Les Finseth made the Council aware of training for Local Board of Appeal and Equalization. It is required that at least one Councilor be trained at a minimum of every four years and he recommended at least two. Trainings are July 12th in Detroit Lakes and September 21st in Crookston. The Council will decide by next meeting who will take the training.
WETCC LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR USDA TRIBAL COLLEGE GRANT
The WETCC requested the City’s support of a USDA Grant to build the college.
MOTION by Lee, second by Jaeger to send a letter of support for the WETCC USDA Tribal College Grant. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
COUNCIL REPORTS
Jaeger reported on the Headwaters Revolving Loan Fund.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Carrier reported that the City had received numerous complaints about uncut grass and junk complaints about two businesses, Grease Monkee and Olson’s Outdoor Sports. Nuisance letters were sent out to the offenders giving them 10 days to comply.
The Liquor Store Wine 101 was a successful event with fifteen people participating. They all expressed interest in a Mahnomen Wine Club.
On May 24th the Administrator attended the WETCC graduation ceremonies representing the City.
It was reported that the County Board has decided to not provide Shoreland/Floodplain management to the City. The Councilor Jaeger suggested that the Administrator contact the Tribe to see if they could perform these functions for the City.
It was reported that the Lucky 7 experienced some plumbing problems. The contractor was contacted and repair is under warranty.
The overlay for the Lucky 7 parking lot and the sidewalk to the Manitok Mall are progressing.
The Administrator is meeting with attorney Charles La Due to work on a new Tribal Trust Agreement.
It was reported that due to an Ottertail Power worker’s mistake, a power surge damaged electronics at City Hall, the Library, Wild Rice Lounge, Mahube and the School as well as some local residents. Ottertail will be responsible for the damages.
It was reported that a Pawn Shop and Pay Day Lender will occupy the former Movie Review site on Main Street. It was also reported that a new Barber Shop and Mexican Restaurant will be in the vacant bakery building.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Durant, second by Kochmann to adjourn the meeting. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
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Jerry Carrier, Administrator Martin R. Warnsholz, Mayor