December 20, 2016Regular CC Meeting

City of Oronoco

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Special City Council TNT Public Hearing @ 6:45 pm

Regular City CouncilMeeting @7:00pm

I.CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Kevin McDermott called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:45pm.

  1. ROLL CALL

Present: Mayor Kevin McDermott, Councilor Skyler Breitenstein, Councilor Trish Shields, Councilor Beau Hanenberger, Councilor Ryland Eichhorst, Attorney Fred Suhler, and Assistant Clerk Rebecca McGuire.Engineer Joe Palen arrived at 6:57pm.

Absent: none

  1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Addition E. 3. Public Works clothing. 4. Cell phone policy reimbursement. 5. Drug policy. Councilor Skyler Breitenstein made a motion to accept the agenda with additions, Councilor Trish Shields second; all in favor, motion carried.

  1. PUBLIC HEARING

Mayor Kevin McDermott opened the TNT Public Hearing at 6:47pm. He mentioned that councilwas able to keep the tax levy flat for about 6 years now. We have many new homes that have added to the tax base without having to raise taxes, even with adding multiple roads. Total levy is $ 735,875 for $2017. He also stated how the levy gets broken down for the year.

Mayor Kevin McDermott closed the public hearing at 7pm.

  1. PUBLIC FORUM

Mayor Kevin McDermott opened public forum at 7pm.

Linda Sorenson at 40 2nd Ave SW: Put a lot of miles on walking around town for fitness reasons. I am here to thank you for the cross walk (in front of the post office). I think I have had 2 drivers stop there before the crosswalk and now people actually slow down and wait for people to cross.I have seen people on the west side of the street walk to the cross walk to walk across. I double checked with the clerk in the post office and he has noticed a difference too. So I thank you for that. I feel safer. I know it’s a MN state law but it’s the same problem ever where. Thank you.

Lance Sorenson at 40 2nd Ave SW: (Brought in a bench with him and set in down in front of the council table) I am here because, since this is Kevin’s last year as mayor, I made him a bench from the wood of the trees that were damaged in the storm around here a few years ago. I have been storing the wood in my garage and I have made several benches but this one is especially for Kevin as a thank you for your many years of faithful service, both to the community and to Gold Rush, and for being a heck of a nice guy. Some people have signed it on the bottom here so you don’t have to look at it. (Everyone started laughing. Kevin thanked everyone and Lance for the bench.)

Jerry Gelao, they live out on Lake Zumbro. I am here with my wife Patty and sister –in- law Carmen. Recently the board made a decision that affects the girls and their Christmas party financially. They rented the hall for the Walker Christmas get together on December 11th. We have been renting for 20 years and we didn’t quite understand what went wrong this time. I know the kids got loose this time. For the most part, in terms of cleaning up, the protocol for restoring things and getting them back in the condition they were in. Like I say we have been doing it for 20 years. Typically we clean and vacuum, but I think they had us called off on the vacuuming a couple years ago, we cleaned the kitchen and make the rounds and try to leave the place in the condition we found it in. I guess, Patty was telling me that the board made the decision to keep the $300 damage deposit. We thought it would be good to come to the board to get more insight as to what you based that decision on because Carmen and Patty came down to address some of the issues. They put some time into cleaning things up and making things right. Council was unaware of the situation. Kevin explained that he was aware and standard procedure since Public Works had cleaned after the rental was to use the deposit for Public Works extra time into getting stains out of the carpet. Assistant City Clerk Rebecca McGuire explained the situation – what the condition of the hall was, the work the Public Works had done to clean things back up, and also the communication between parties. Jerry, Patty and Carmen all stated what their experience was and how they came back to clean up the building. Patty talked with Sandy and she was told that they didn’t have to worry about being charged because they came back in and cleaned for 4 hours to make things right. Skyler stated that he believes there has been some miscommunication between Sandy and Rebecca with them both being sick over the last few weeks and missing work. Council decided to defer the payment and check with Sandy to see if she said everything was fine and would not be charged. Council thanked the family for coming in.

Kevin thanked everyone. Public Forum closed at 7:19pm.

  1. DEPARTMENTS & COMMITTEE REPORTS
  1. OCSO ~ Sgt. Rick Carmack
  1. FIRE DEPARTMENT* ~ Dan Sundt, Fire Chief
  1. Runs: 5 (false home fire alarm, MVA on HWY 52, barn fire, two false MVAs on HWY 52
  2. Meeting Minutes: Second payment was made on the truck. Sandy should be receiving the check shortly.
  3. Annual elections:
  • Dan Sundt, fire chief
  • Chris Stolp, first assistant chief
  • Cain Dolan, second assistant chief
  • Pat McGovern, EOC
  • Nate Klennert, secretary
  1. Approve new OFD applicant Jaimen Wilson. Mayor Kevin McDermott made a motion to approve the new OFD applicant Jaimen Wilson, Councilor Beau Hanenberger second; all in favor, motion carried.
  1. FIRST RESPONDERS* ~ Jeff Allhiser, 1st Responder Director
  1. 3 Runs: 0 city,3township
  2. Meeting Minutes
  3. Back for ambulance: 4 tires $576. Mayor Kevin McDermott made a motion to approve the 4 tires at $576, Councilor Ryland Eichhorst; (discussion on mileage on the tires and if the tires are still usable for the summer. Mayor Kevin McDermott believes they are 10 years old and no longer safe.) All in favor, motion carried.
  1. EOC ~ Pat McGovern, Director
  1. PERSONNEL:
  1. Health Insurance: February 1, 2017 start date if approved. Mayor Kevin McDermott said it is something we have been working on for a while now to help our city employees and retain good people. This is a perk most cities give and the City has grown now. Right now we pay a stipend. I would like to encourage the next council to look at this. Councilor Ryland Eichhorst gave the background on how the insurance would go.(He has contacted the insurance rep for further information.) Councilor Ryland Eichhorst and Councilor Trish Shields will be enacting for personnel to continue to push on with health insurance.
  2. Carry over of PTO. Mayor Kevin McDermott motioned to carry over PTO from 2016 to 2017, Councilor Trish Shields second; all in favor, motion carried.
  3. High visibility clothing for public works. It is $300 per person. Mayor Kevin McDermott made a motion to approve high visibility clothing for Public Works, Councilor Ryland Eichhorst second, (Beau asked about turn over and if the clothing will be returned. Councilor Trish Shields requested each layer be embroidered and that it stay with the City.She would like to be sure we are cautious during the probation time.)Added cost approved for embroidering and that no names are put on any of the articles of clothing (it is City owned clothing). All in favor, motion carried.
  4. Cell phone policy. In the policy it is after 6 months’ probation but cell phone use starts right away when the employee is hired. Mayor Kevin McDermott would recommend changing the policy to pay cell phone reimbursement from the hire date. Also to reimburse Jim for the month of December. (Discussion on radios. Council would like to continue with cell phones.)Councilor Ryland Eichhorst made a motion to eliminate the probationary use of the cell phone, that they get it immediately upon employment, Councilor Skyler Breitenstein second; all in favor, motion carried.
  5. Employee drug testing: Skyler has been doing the research. Who would get the drug results? Council agrees with mayor or vice mayor receiving the results. Skyler is setting this up.
  1. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
  1. Resolution 2016-18 toCertify election. This is excepting the results of the general election. Mayor Kevin McDermott motioned to approve Resolution 2016-18 to Certify election, Councilor Trish Shields second; voice vote all ayes, Resolution 2016-18 passed.
  2. Resolution 2016-19 Approving the Final Tax Levy. Mayor Kevin McDermott noted that they have kept the tax levy flat for about 6 years. Councilor Beau Hanenberger motioned to accept Resolution 2016-19 Approving the Final Tax Levy, Councilor Skyler Breitenstein second; voice votes all ayes, Resolution 2016-19 passed.
  3. Resolution 2016-20 Approving State deed for tax forfeited land for ROW use. Councilor Beau Hanenberger made a motion to approve Resolution 2016-20 Approving State deed for tax forfeited land for ROW use, Mayor Kevin McDermott second;voice vote all ayes, Resolution 2016-20 passed.
  1. DOWNTOWN ORONOCO GOLD RUSH DAYS* ~ Chair: Councilor Skyler Breitenstein
  2. Meeting Minutes: canceled. Thank you to everyone who made it to the appreciation dinner and those that couldn’t make it that make this city happen on a shoe string budget.
  3. Outstanding Citizens: nomination. The award itself that was previously passed is now being made. It will not be ready till January but I want to bring forward the 1stannual nominee. There were many nominees both past and present from the post office to committees to food shelf volunteers. Candidate “A” is a long time member of the community. Longtime member of Parks and originated the Oronoco Food Shelf. And a long time member who has been a great resource for tree identification and tree disease identification to save the trees. We bring forward the recommendation for candidate “A”, which by then would be presented and brought forward to the January Council meeting and I would presentthe award as a citizen. Well that is my recommendation, or that is my motion, Councilor Beau Hanenberger second.This is meant to be an annual award. All in favor, motion carried.

Everyone on the committee right now would like to continue on the committee.Councilor Beau Hanenberger made a motion to have Skyler Breitenstein run the Outstanding Citizen Committeeon a yearly basis with one other council member starting January 2017, Councilor Trish Shields second; all in favor, motion carried. Mayor Kevin McDermott would like to thank Skyler. This has been his baby and this is a good thing to start in this community. There have been a lot of people past and present who have done outstanding things for this community. Thank you for your strong efforts. Councilor Ryland Eichhorst agrees that going forward the City of Oronoco has opportunities for growth and challenges – this is an exciting time- we need to acknowledge those people for future years. This plaque will stay at the community center.

  1. PARKS & TRAILS*- Eric Weiss, Parks & Trails Chair*
  1. MeetingMinutes: December 5, 2016. No quorum. Low turnout.
  2. Committee members have left – does it need to be restructured? No officers. There is not enough interest or volunteers. There isn’t enough community interest. Would this be better joined with the Lake Shady Committee or have it dissolved?
  3. Gate/ Wheel – location. Councilor Ryland Eichhorst contacted the old parks caretakers, the County and will have to check with others to try to find the wheel. Do we want to display the gate and the wheel for historical purposes? Mayor Kevin McDermott would like to see it displayed by the kiosk or by the rapids. It could be dealt with at a later date.
  1. LAKE SHADY ~ Katie Dudley, Lake Shady Committee Chair*
  2. Weekly construction minutes. They are starting to divert the water. This will be done in 3 stages. They are getting the equipment in place. Next meeting is January 3rd. Meetings will be moved to Tuesdays, 10am. The trees that are banded will be kept.
  3. Lions club is taking over the road clean-up that Lake Shady has previously done. Make sure the Lions club gets a good thank you for taking that over.
  4. Documenting roads prior to dam removal/construction: FYI (Trish, Katie and Ryland are documenting it all.)
  1. COMMUNITY CENTER
  1. PUBLIC WORKS
  1. Shop: 2008 Chevy 4 tires: $502. Mayor Kevin McDermott approved this previously for Cain to purchase.
  1. STREETS & ROADS*
  1. Zumbro Hills Drive: feasibility study. Engineer Joe Palen: There is a report to follow up our evaluation last summer. We are recommending that 3 areas get cut out and refinished. It is in need of attention. This could be assessed. In total this is a $400,000 project. Corner lots are looked at differently. We prepared a draft calculation assessment. Range is $700 to $1200. Typically you assess at least 20% to the property owner. It would pay the City back $31,000 over the course of 10 years. CW was assessed 100% because of different reasons. If we don’t do anything in the next 2 years we will double our cost because it will be more of a reclaim situation. Mayor Kevin McDermott said this road is the only road for a whole lot of people. Councilor Ryland Eichhorst agrees with Mayor Kevin McDermott. A lot of houses use that road. For $13 a month for the homeowners to pay to fix that road isn’t that expensive. Councilor Beau Hanenberger feels the City can’t afford to fully pay for it. The City needs to assess to be able to afford repairing other roads as well. Mayor Kevin McDermott: we have a road repair schedule. We do have a capital improvement fund. It won’t pay for it all but it’ll help lower the bond amount. I recommend looking at the road schedule too. If we wait another year, the price will double. Mayor Kevin McDermott made a motion to approve Resolution 2016-21 Accepting the feasibility study for Zumbro Hills Drive and calling for the public hearing, Councilor Ryland Eichhorst second; addition to set the public hearing for the next Regular City Council Meeting at 6pm, (discussion: Councilor Beau Hanenberger would like to set a policy to make it fair from here on out. Once we set the percentage for the assessment, it should stay that percentage for future roads. Will be put on January agenda.) Voice vote all ayes. Resolution 2016-21 passed.
  1. PLANNING & ZONING*
  2. Meeting Minutes:December 8, 2016. Discussed putting together an ordinance to have a max number of houses on a one way in and one way out street.
  3. Steve McNamara: new member to replace Adam Brase. Mayor Kevin McDermott motioned to approve SteveMcNamara as a new Planning and Zoning member, Councilor Skyler Breitenstein second; all in favor, motion carried. Send thank you to Adam for all his hard work. Thanks Steve for stepping up.
  4. River Bend Subdivision: Public Hearing set for January 12th @ 7:05pm.P&Z Committee discussed a lot of details that pertained to River Bend.
  1. WATER & SEWER*
  1. Meeting Minutes: December 13, 2016. The special session did not occur. Hoping there will still be bonding in 2017. Proposing a meeting with Pine Island in January.
  2. 3rd Ave SW loop: update-contractor choose to wait to start because of the weather.
  3. Riverwood Hills looping (feasibility study): in progress

VIII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, & COMMUNICATIONS*

  1. Property Complainton 3rd Street SW – staff is still working on this.
  2. Stantec: 3% rate increase (FYI)

IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

  1. Southbound City Sign:Highway 52 Southbound green EXIT sign to include 'Oronoco' is being reviewed and the city should know by Dec 30th. The 'Oronoco welcome sign in the Southbound EXIT right-away next to the fence is being reviewed.

X. NEW BUSINESS.

  1. $20 new monthly fee for Pace payment system: other company fees are more. Mayor Kevin McDermott made a motion to approve the $20 monthly fee for Pace, Councilor Trish Shields second;Councilor Skyler Breitenstein and Councilor Beau Hanenberger naye, rest of council in favor, motion passed.
  2. State Deed Application: $250. Mayor Kevin McDermott made a motion to approve the State Deed Application for $250, Councilor Beau Hanenberger second; all in favor, motion carried.

XI.CONSENT AGENDA* Councilor Skyler Breitenstein motioned to accept the consent agenda, Mayor Kevin McDermott second; all in favor, motion carried.

  1. APPROVEDBUILDING PERMITS*
  1. 315 Pine Ridge Ct SWfireplace
  2. 830 Woodlands Ln SEnew construction
  1. TASK LIST; updated
  1. MEETING MINUTES
  1. Regular City Council Meeting11-15-2016
  2. Special CC Meeting 11-29-2016
  1. FINANCIALS
  2. BremerBank Account Summaries
  3. Budget: available at office for view.
  4. Accounts Payable
  5. Account Receipts

XII.ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Kevin McDermott would like to take this time to thank current councils and past councils, citizens of this community, who have supported… and it’s been a great honor to serve this great city. I just want to thank you all. Thank you staff: Sandy, Rebecca, Cain and Jim for all their hard work and everything that they do. It’s been an honor to serve with this Council and past Council. It’s been a great experience. I can’t say how thankful I am for working with everybody, Fred and Joe, everybody, it’s just been an honor. I just want to thank everybody. Thank you!