CITY OF MAHNOMEN

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Monday, March 19, 2012

6:30 P.M.

COUNCIL PRESENT: Lee, Jaeger, Durant and Schoenborn.

COUNCIL ABSENT: Warnsholz.

Others present: Wayne Ahmann, Jim Kochmann, Diane Kochmann, Dean Johnson, Adam Woltjer, Mark Goldsmith, Steve McArthur, Gerald Finke, Duane Schouveiller, Gordy Olson, Roberta Brown, Lew Murray, Sheriff Doug Krier, Del Bellanger, Sue Kraft, Ken Flaten, Carl Malmstrom, Officer Brandt Standridge, Paul Domier, and Jerry Carrier.

The meeting was called to order by Councilor Lee.

Approval of the Agenda

MOTION by Jaeger, second by Durant to approve the agenda. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”

Public Comments

Wayne Ahmann commented that he only had eight days to bid on the Shop. Goldsmith questioned the Council on taping the minutes.

Approval of Minutes

MOTION by Schoenborn, second by Jaeger to approve the minutes from the March 5, 2012 meeting. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”

CONSENT AGENDA

February Ledger of Payments and approval for the following checks: City 49744-49796, Wild Rice Lounge 32537-32575, Lucky 7 Liquors 8779-8823.

January and February Liquor Stores Financial Reports were available for review.

MOTION by Durant, second by Jaeger to approve the Consent Agenda. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”

READING OF THE BILLS

MOTION by Jaeger, second by Durant to approve the March 19, 2012 list of claims for $27,935.01. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”

VERIZON CELL TOWER CONTRACT

The Council reviewed the addendum to the antennae contract.

MOTION by Schoenborn, second by Durant to approve the addendum to the Verizon contract adding two antennae and adjusting the monthly rent to $1,875.00. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”

HIRING OF WALTER SKRAMSTAD AS A LIQUOR CLERK I

MOTION by Jaeger, second by Schoenborn to approve hiring of Walter Skramstad as a Liquor Clerk I with a starting salary of $7.25 per hour. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”

PAGER GRANT

The Fire Department requested permission to apply for a grant to replace five pagers. The grant allows a 50% match up to $1,000. Total cost for the pagers are $2,163.15, with a City share of $1,163.15

MOTION by Durant, second by Schoenborn to approve submitting the grant with the City share of $1,163.15, if received. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”

FIRE TRAINING

The Fire Department requested to send four firefighters to training on May 25th.

MOTION by Schoenborn, second by Durant to approve sending four firefighters to training on May 25th. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”

AED GRANT

The Fire Department would like to apply for a 100% funded grant for an AED for the Department.

MOTION by Durant, second by Schoenborn to approve a 100 % funded grant for an AED. Carried with all voting “Yes”.

HIRING OF JUSTIN BALL, TOM GUENTHER, BRIAN SMITH AND DUSTY NELSON AS FIREFIGHTERS.

The Fire Department held interviews for 4 open spots on the Fire Department.

MOTION by Durant, second by Jaeger to hire four firefighters: Justin Ball, Tom Guenther, Brian Smith and Dusty Nelson to the Mahnomen Fire Department. Carried with all voting “Yes”.

WELLHEAD PROTECTION PLAN UPDATE

The Council was provided with an update on the status of the Wellhead Protection Plan. Domier was thanked for a job well done.

LAKE PAYSHAYGAYSHAY

The Council reviewed a proposal from the Soil and Water Conservation Service to renew and flood Lake Payshaygayshay. The lake bottom is on four properties, including City land by the sewage treatment ponds. The proposal would not affect the ponds. The four owners would have to agree to move forward and will also be compensated for the loss of land.

MOTION by Jaeger, second by Durant to approve the Payshaygayshay Lake proposal. Carried with all voting “Yes.”

CITY SHOP BIDS

MOTION by Jaeger, second by Durant to table consideration of the City Shop Bids until the full Council is present. Carried with all voting “Yes.”

WHITE EARTH POLICE CONTRACT

The Council considered the approval of the annual police contract with the White Earth Police Department. The Council was pleased with the service.

MOTION by Jaeger, second by Durant to approve the annual contract with the White Earth Police Department at a cost of $124,200. Carried with all voting “Yes.”

POLICE REPORTS

Officer Brandt Standridge presented reports. The Council asked about crime trends. He stated that violent crimes had been reduced over the past year. The Department was congratulated on their success. The Administrator complimented the Department on their response times.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Jaeger reported on Headwaters. Schoenborn reported on the Hospital Board and the LARL Board. LARL make seek a 2% or 3% increase in their budget this next year.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Carrier reported on the Downtown Farmer’s Market. They will make a presentation at the next meeting.

Carrier reported on his work with the Tribe on a bill to allow Tribes to partner with City’s on utilities. Representative Eken and Senator Skoe authored the bill to legislation.

The hot water heater went out at the lounge and was replaced by Luckow.

The Council received a report on the White Earth State of the Nation attended by the Mayor and Administrator. The Tribe reported that the partnership between the City and the Tribe for police services was the first in the nation and was being looked at by the U.S. Justice Department as a national model.

The Wine Club is doing very well. Twenty people attended the March 13 event even though it had been rescheduled due to weather. The Club is also bringing new patrons to the Lounge, as well as increasing wine sales, and donating to the Farmer’s Market.

Carrier reported that the fire tanker had been successfully converted into a dump truck for snow removal at a cost of about $15,000.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Jaeger, second by Durant to adjourn the meeting. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”

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Jerry Carrier, Administrator Martin R. Warnsholz, Mayor