CITY OF BLUE EARTH
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 5:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Scholtes called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Gaylord, Huisman, Brod, Erichsrud, Cassem, Warner and Mayor Scholtes were present. Staff members present: City Administrator Timothy Ibisch, City Attorney David Frundt, City Engineer Wes Brown, Public Works Director Jamie Holland, Police Chief Tom Fletcher, Fire Chief Roger Davis, and Fire Captain Bill Rosenau.
DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM
Quorum present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Scholtes led the pledge of allegiance.
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Public Present: Greg Scheid and County Commissioner John Roper.
There was no public comment at this time.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Huisman, second by Gaylord to approve the minutes from the Work Session and Council Meeting of Monday, January 4, 2016. The motion was approved unanimously.
LICENSES AND PERMITS
American Legion Temporary Liquor License. Ibisch reported that the American Legion hosts a super bowl party each year. This year the event will be held on Sunday, February 7th. Ibisch reported that all documents have been received and recommendation was given to approve the 1 day permit.
Motion by Gaylord, second by Huisman to approve the temporary liquor permit for the American Legion to host a Super Bowl Party on Sunday, February 7th, 2016. The motion passed unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE
There was no correspondence at this time.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
There was no public hearing.
REPORTS FROM STAFF
Police Chief 2015 Annual Report (see attachment “A”). Chief Fletcher began his discussion with the crime rate stats beginning with 2014 and gave a 10 year history. Historically over the last 10 years the clearance rate for what there was for crime for Blue Earth’s department has been higher than what the State wide average.
Fletcher reported that in 2015 there were 6,413 calls for service that marks an increase of 539 calls from 2014. The call increase was mostly due to increase in 318 calls for direct patrols which are calls to do extra watch on properties of people gone on vacation or drive through Subway at 3:00 A.M. There were 119 more traffic stops.
There were 123 arrests in 2015 that marks an increase of 24 from 2014. The major categories for the arrests were 24 for DWI, 19 domestic assaults and 13 for OFP and harassment restraining order violations.
3 new part-time officers were hired and several were released. Fletcher reported that a new squad car was purchased in 2015.
Brod noted that in 2015 there were 108 adults and 14 juveniles and wondered if that is comparable with the state average? Fletcher reported that it is probably a little low for the juveniles and 15% is maybe more normal. Ibisch noted that in January and April of 2015 there were huge spikes in calls for service. Fletcher explained that there is no rhyme or reason for the spikes and already 2016 has been very busy. Typically when the weather turns nice the calls increase. Ibisch asked if the drug arrests are up. Fletcher reported that unfortunately the drugs have not gone away. Fletcher reported that 2004 was a bad year for meth labs within the City but has eased off now because it is harder to get the chemicals.
Fire Chief Roger Davis and Bill Rosenau were present to discuss the 2015 Annual Fire Report (see attachment “B”). Davis reported that in 2015 there were 75 total calls. Davis reported that the fire calls are billed at $1,000.00 per call and out of the 19 calls that were billed all bills were paid. Davis reported that there are some delinquent bills that will be sent for collection.
Davis reported that last year’s calls were within the average amount of calls made. There were 9 Elmore Auto Aid calls of which 5 calls were billed the other 4 calls were responded but nothing was done for the call. Davis noted that Elmore dropped their contract with Grant Township in Iowa.
Gaylord asked if the call hours take into account on weekends when the trucks are being washed or maintained or working on a fund raiser. Davis noted those hours are different.
There were no retirements, Eric Hanson relocated and 2 new fire fighters were hired. Ryan Manwarren joined the department and Jarrin Smith was hired to the department 100% trained.
Rosenau reported that truck certification began in 2008 and the new hires are required to wait 2 years before they can drive a department truck.
Davis reported that their Annual Fire Report is sent to the State and is posted on their web site.
Ibisch reported that included with the Council information was the 20 year CIP plan for the Fire Department (see attachment “C”). Ibisch noted that in 2016 the grass rig is on schedule to be upgraded and in 2017 the pagers. The next big investment in 2018 would be the SCBA for $200,000.00. 2023 the Primary Pumper is scheduled to be replaced at a cost of approximately $500,000.00.
Rosenau passed around the thermal imaging camera that was purchased last year. Rosenau reported that they received a grant from CenterPoint Energy in the amount of $2,500.00. A grant was received from State Line Co-Op in the amount of $625.00 and Land-O-Lakes matched that amount of $625.00 which reduced the cost of the camera to $4,500.00. Davis reported that the camera detects hot spots. Rosenau reported that they are trying to work with the DNR for help with funding toward the purchase of the grass rig.
At this time Mayor Scholtes addressed City Attorney David Frundt. Frundt reference the copy of Ordinance 16-01 addressing the conveyance of real property. Frundt reported that the property is the Century Building sale to Kerry Inc. Frundt reported that the sale amount is $50,000.00.
Motion by Huisman, second by Gaylord to adopt Ordinance 16-01 an ordinance to convey real property in the west Industrial Park to Kerry Incorporated a Delaware Corporation for $50,000.00 for the Century Building as presented.
Roll call vote was taken:
Councilmember Gaylord Aye
Councilmember Huisman Aye
Councilmember Brod Aye
Councilmember Erichsrud Aye
Councilmember Warner Aye
Councilmember Cassem Aye
Mayor Scholtes Aye
The motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney David Frundt addressed Ordinance 16-02 an Ordinance for the conveyance of real property owned by the City of Blue Earth. Frundt explained the property is the property on the corner of 7th and Rice Street that the City demolished last summer. Andy and Carolyn Huynh have purchased the property for a price of $7,500.00 in addition for exchange of Andy’s Oriental building.
Motion by Gaylord, second by Huisman adopting Ordinance 16-02 for the conveyance of real property to Andy and Carolyn Huynh described as the following:
SECTION I
The East ¾ of Lot One (1) in Block Seven (7) in Garretson’s Addition to Blue Earth City (now City of Blue Earth), Faribault County, Minnesota, according to the Plat of said Addition on file and of record in the Office of the County Recorder of said County.
SECTION II
Andy Kim Huynh and Carolyn Ngoc Huynh are desirous of purchasing property in Section I above and the City of Blue Earth is desirous of transferring such property for a price of $7,500.00 and other valuable consideration.
Warner questioned what will happen to the Restaurant site once the city owns it. Ibisch explained that he has someone that will be going into the building for an asbestos check next week. There is a contract in the packet for engineering review to see if the building is structurally sound. Ibisch noted that it appears likely that the building will be demolished as a part of the Main street project. Warner asked if the building could possibly be demolished before the Main Street project begins. Ibisch reported that they are anticipating the building to be down this winter or before Main Street reconstruction begins.
Roll call vote was taken:
Councilmember Gaylord Aye
Councilmember Huisman Aye
Councilmember Brod Aye
Councilmember Erichsrud Aye
Councilmember Warner Aye
Councilmember Cassem Aye
Mayor Scholtes Aye
The motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Frundt reported that the City has a search warrant authorized by the Court to enter in the buildings on the corner of Main and 7th Street known as “The 3 Sisters”. Ibisch reported that the goal is to enter the building on Tuesday afternoon next week. Ibisch reported that a lock smith is needed to enter the building.
City Attorney David Frundt requested that Council go into Closed Session at the end of tonight’s meeting to discuss a personnel issue.
At this time Mayor Scholtes addressed City Engineer Wes Brown of Bolton & Menk, Inc. Brown reported that the first item is a proposed agreement for Professional Service Agreement for Airport project. The agreement is for the improvement to the existing arrival departure building to add a conference room or additional space. In addition to the construction of an SRE Building which is to store the snow removal equipment. The improvement plan for the airport, the AD Building was programed for 2018 and the SRE Building was 2019. With the States increased funding that was used for the taxiway currently ready for construction this coming spring and was bid last year. Brown reported that the additional funding is still available through this year. The State is adding an additional 5% on this project if they move forward. The Airport Board had decided to move the project forward to 2016. There are several details to workout with the eligibility and the full scope of the project at an estimated cost of $575,000.00. The Federal cost share is approximately $517,000.00 leaving $57,000.00 to be split between the State and local funds.
Gaylord asked about the entitlement funds that the City talked about borrowing from other cities that we would pay back. Because of the savings from the State it was decided to lump the projects sooner to take advantage of the savings. Brown explained that there was to be $450,000.00 to be borrowed from the entitlement funds to be paid back over a 3 year period through the entitlement funds that the city receives. Brown reported that the advantage to moving forward with the project instead of waiting is because of the savings of $28,000.00 of state funds available this year. Brown added that after this year there will no longer be state funds available. Brod asked how big the conference room expansion will be. Brown reported that it will be a 14x30 expansion. Brod noted that the construction of the building for the snow removal equipment that is a 40X40 that will cost $500,000.00 for those constructions. Brown did not have a breakdown of the projects. Brod thought that the amount was in excess. Scholtes reported that there is also a remodel of the old building and expand that will cost $131,000.00. The new building for the snow removal equipment will cost $333,000.00. Brod was not against the project, the cost just seemed in excess. Brown noted that because of regulation for the airport construction, that would attribute to some of the extra cost.
Motion by Gaylord, second by Huisman to approve the Professional Service Agreement for the Airport as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
At this time Mayor Scholtes addressed Addendum No. 1 Professional Service Agreement Ag Center and Fitness Center parking improvements. Brown reported that Soil and Water presented a grant application to the State for storm water improvements to the parking lot at the Ag Center. However, the grant was not approved. Soil and Water has approximately $54,000.00 through other programs that they are willing to put into the storm water quality improvements on the parking lot improvement. Brown reported that they met with FCDC Director Tim Clawson and Michelle Wigern from Soil and Water and discussed the scope of the project to estimate what can be best done with the available funds. The pervious pavement was eliminated, in addition the ponding area would be done in a phase II project. The estimated pavement for the project cost is $180,000.00. Brown added that some of the money for the project has to be used by August, 2016 in order to take advantage of those funds. Brown reported that the discussion was to get the project on a schedule to get it out for bid and under contract by June 2016 so that the construction can begin and the funding can be used.
Brown reported that the including the work on the Fitness Center Parking lot is a part of getting a better price by doing the Ag Center and the Fitness Center Parking lots as a part of a larger project.
Scholtes reported that he does not want to use any tax levy dollars for the Ag Center project. Scholtes reported that the EDA discussed the overlay amount for the Ag Center parking lot would cost $188,000.00. Scholtes noted that one way of funding the overlay would be to borrow from our own EDA fund that are set aside for specific things and pay that back or borrow from funds from the City and use the Ag Center profits to pay the money back.
Councilmember Warner asked if doing this project would interfere with the 5 year agreement. Could the Ag Center be sold and not interfere with the Grant funds. Ibisch noted that the grant money from the Soil and Water being used for the project are very minimum and Soil and Water will pool those funds to the project. Brown reported that he had discussed this possibility with Wigern and she had indicated that there were no stipulations. Brown will continue to explore to what the stipulations of the grant are.