CITY OF WANAMINGO

City Council Regular Meeting

Monday, December 12, 2011 7:00 P.M.

Wanamingo City Council Chambers – 401 Main Street

Wanamingo, MN

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Berg.

PRESENT: Council: Ron Berg, Larry VanDeWalker, Ryan Holmes, Danny Benson & Jennifer Berquam

City Administrator: Michael Boulton

Deputy Clerk: Jean Rugg

ABSENT: None

ALSO PRESENT: Steve Haggstrom, Monty Schaefer, Alicia Hunt-Welch – Zumbrota News Record, Terri Washburn – Kenyon Leader, Sandy Hadler – Rochester Post Bulletin, Terry Campbell – Wanamingo Messenger, Jim Kittelson, Scott Goodman, Representative Steve Drazkowski, Jim Maloy, Jerry Barrett & Dan Fritz.

ADOPT AGENDA: VanDeWalker motioned to adopt the agenda, seconded by Berquam. Passed 5-0-0.

CONSENT AGENDA: Berquam motioned, seconded by Holmes to consent. Passed 5-0-0.

PRESENTERS:

A)  Representative Steve Drazkowski reported on:

  1. 2011 Legislative session rap up – closed a $5 billion deficit – was originally $6 billion
  2. Government shutdown July 1st – July 20th
  3. Ended up with a two year spending bill that eliminated Market Value Credit and made permanent reductions to Local Government Aid. Also passed a $479 million bonding bill
  4. Cities will have to rely budgets more on local property taxes rather than State and Federal Government
  5. There were discussions about the Church Lady’s bill that originated in Wanamingo and was assisted by the Mayor and City Administrator

Berquam moved, seconded by Holmes to adjourn Council meeting till after public hearing and open public hearing on 2012 Wanamingo Budget/ Property Tax Levy. Passed 5-0-0 (7:30pm)

Public Hearing – Administrator Boulton gave an explanation about the 2012 City Budget. General fund budget is proposed at $1,004,208.50 for 2012. The City Levy is proposed $575,000. This is a $25,000 decrease from 2011. Of the levy, $286,798.00 is specifically for general fund. The remaining $288,202.00 is for debt service and special levies. Council members applauded the efforts of Administrator Boulton over the last two year. No comments were made by the public.

Benson moved, seconded by Holmes to close the public hearing on 2012 Wanamingo Budget/ Property Tax Levy and reconvene the City Council meeting. Passed 5-0-0. (7:40pm)

RESOLUTION 11-073 = Approving sale of salvaged pedestrian walking bridge: Bids were opened. Dean Schuette from Wanamingo placed a bid of $607.00. Kenyon Snowdrifters placed a bid of $1451.00. VanDeWalker moved to approve resolution by inserting Kenyon Snowdrifters as winning bid, seconded by Berquam. Passed 5-0-0

B)  Steve Haggstrom & Monty Schaefer reported on:

  1. Assisted Minowa Construction – cut up downed trees from pedestrian walking bridge project and burned them
  2. WW Plant – removed wires that had been abandoned. Also fixed electrical boxes. Both had been safety concerns
  3. Fixed Emergency Siren with the assistance of Goodhue County Electric – new belt, greased, and added netting to keep birds out
  4. Water Service Line fixed on 3rd Street with the assistance of Jason’s Sewer Service
  5. Carbon Kit installed on the City Dump Truck
  6. Attended Minnesota Rural Water Conference in Dodge Center
  7. Swept leaves off the streets and cleaned out storm sewers – trailer and blower may need some work before next year
  8. Christmas Lights and Banners were hung up – we will be switching light bulbs to LEDS
  9. Deck boarding from old pedestrian walking bridge taken off – available back to those who purchased them in shop behind City Hall
  10. Snow Equipment ready – new blades and chains on – plowed snow once
  11. Frost boil fixed with help from Leon Nerrison – 1 and a half inch rock and new class 5 gravel – dug out clay that was coming up out of the road
  12. Garbage Cans and Benches put away for the winter – from main street sidewalks
  13. LMNC Insurance Trust – met and did a City self assessment of Sanitary sewers
  14. Rick Turri officially took over as Waste Water Operator on 12/12/2011
  15. Phosphorus Management Plan being completed by Todd Arlander – City Staff will send out letters to the public and conduct some onsite visits

NEW BUSINESS:

RESOLUTION:

11-068 = Approving Closing 2012 Budget for the City of Wanamingo: Berquam moved to approve, Seconded by Holmes. Passed 5-0-0

11-069 – Approving final 2012 Property Tax Levy: Benson moved to approve, Seconded by VanDeWalker. Passed 5-0-0

11-070 = Accepting Smith & Schafer as the auditors for the 2011 audit and authorizing Mayor and Administrator to sign engagement letter: VanDeWalker moved to approve, Seconded by Holmes. Passed 5-0-0

11-071 = Approving City Licenses for the year of 2012 (Liquor & Cigarette): Holmes moved to approve, Seconded by Berquam. Passed 5-0-0

11-072 = Adopting 2012 1st Quarter Maintenance Work Plan: Benson moved to approve, seconded by Berquam. Passed 5-0-0

11-074 = Approving Renewal of Building Inspection Agreement with Goodhue County for One Year: Holmes moved to approve, seconded by VanDeWalker. Passed 5-0-0

11-075 = Requesting that the United States Postal Service keep the Rochester distribution center and the Wanamingo Post Office open with the same services as the present: Benson moved to approve, seconded by Berquam. Passed 5-0-0

First Reading of Ordinance 156 – 2012 Fees

*Next City Council meeting on 1/3/2012. Packets will not be available till 1/2/2012.

Adjourn: At 8:15PM a motion to adjourn the meeting made by Berquam and seconded by Holmes. Passed 5-0-0.

Signed: Attest:

______

Ron Berg, Mayor Michael Boulton, City Administrator