Minutes
March 6, 2006
1. The regularly scheduled meeting of the Newfolden City Council was called to order by Mayor James Sethre
at 7:00 PM on Monday, March 6, 2006.
Present: Lori Warne Craig Peterson
James Sethre
Darin Jacobson
Absent: Mark Augustine
Also in attendance was Jerome Nelson, Water/Wastewater Supervisor.
Motion by Councilmember Warne to approve the Consent Agenda dated February 21st, 2006, motion seconded by Councilmember Jacobson and carried.
Motion by Councilmember Peterson to approve the Consent Agenda dated March 6th, 2006, motion seconded by Councilmember Warne and carried.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Support Our Troops Campaign:
o Current donors are Town and Country Meats, Xpress Mart, Newfolden Coop Elevator, Marshall County State Bank, Wikstrom Telephone Company, American legion Auxiliary, Hardware Hank, Newfolden Coop Oil, Sethre’s Grocery, Hobo Haus, Nu Moon Café, Bethlehem Lutheran Church Youth Group, Berggren Insurance Agency, Anderson Electric. A total of $530.00 has been committed.
o Press Release statements have been sent to The New River Record and The Times.
2. Christmas decorations are on sale at 50% off for the next 30 days. We currently have $2000.00 budgeted for the replacement of City Christmas decorations. Councilmember Peterson will provide recommendations for purchase at the March 20th meeting of the Council.
3. Dale Graham furnace repair and related insurance assessment. The LMCIT and insurance adjuster, Wayne Gallus, determined that the City was not negligent and, therefore, not liable for damages incurred as a result of the faulty underground power line. The cause was related to a sharp rock that had cut through the line. This probably occurred when the area was backfilled during the water and sewer line project. No further recommendations were made.
NEW BUSINESS
4. Jerome Nelson provided the following report:
a. Jerome will use the area north of Oak Grove Cemetery to dump overflow during snow removal.
b. Snow removal drivers are performing well.
c. Jerome requested that the community center custodian shovel the east and south doorways and walkways during periods of snow.
d. Jerome will use the loader to scrape off ice and snow from the catch basins to facilitate draining during the spring thaw. This is usually performed in the evening hours when traffic and parked vehicles are less of a concern.
e. Jerome inquired about concerns or requests from the council regarding his performance. No recommendations were made. Councilmember Peterson commented that Jerome has been doing a great job with the recent now removal.
5. Councilmember Warne motioned to approve Resolution 0306 – Authorizing the City Administrator to make electronic fund payments when applicable. Councilmember Peterson seconded the resolution. No objections were made.
6. Councilmember Peterson motioned to approve Resolution 030606 – complying with deed restrictions requested by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources concerning the Newfolden City Park and Outdoor Recreational grant. Councilmember Jacobson seconded the resolution. No objections were made.
7. Councilmember’s each received a copy of the Northwest Service coop Newsletter.
8. Art Rud is requesting he not be charged for water and sewer while he is down south during the winter months. Normal policy is that individuals who do not want to pay the minimum amounts for these utilities should request the disconnection of their water service and pay a reconnect fee upon return. Art cannot disconnect his water because his furnace operated on a boiler system. Councilmember Peterson motioned that the City waive the sewer fee while Art Rud is away during the winter months, the water fee will be metered and applied as indicated by the utility fee structure. Motion seconded by Councilmember Jacobson and carried.
9. Councilmember Peterson motioned to approve the donation of $25.00 to the Marshall County Historical Society. Motion seconded by Councilmember Warne and carried.
10. Marshall County Central School District has issued a request to individuals who are able to donate time as supervisors of Community Service Day. Scheduled date is May 6th with an alternate date of May 16th. This is in contribution toward the Valspar grant application. Councilmember Lori Warne has committed to one-half day of supervision.
11. Newfolden Machining will be excavating a 20 foot by 20 foot area in their parking lot this spring. This area has been contaminated by the oil that the company uses for welding and cutting. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is evaluating the situation and has determined that this contamination poses no threat to the water supply or neighboring houses or businesses.
12. Councilmember Jacobson requested we inquire about an improved method for marking snowmobile trails through the City. He received a complaint from a resident who was stopped by the Sheriff’s department when attempting to cross Highway 59. Tammy will contact Mike Lindemoen about this issue.
13. Committee reports:
o Budget – No report.
o Park and Recreation – Jerome has agreed to attend meetings and participate in the planning of the City Park project.
o Infrastructure – No Report
14. Motion by Councilmember Warne to approve Bills/Timesheets/Vehicle logs. Second by Councilmember Jacobson. Motion carried.
15. Motion by Councilmember Peterson to adjourn meeting. Second by Councilmember Jacobson. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.
James Sethre Tammy Hansen
Mayor City Administrator