CITY OF LAKE BRONSON
COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 21, 2011
The special meeting of the Lake Bronson City Council was called to order by Mayor Patricia J. Nerguson at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 21, 2011. The meeting is considered special because it is not being held at the regular time of 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss regular agenda items such as: approving the agenda, citizen concerns/public comments, approving minutes, approving fire contracts, approving financial statements, auditing bills, and discussing old business and new business.
Present were Council Members Jim Erickson, Greg Sandahl, Bobby Schmiedeberg, Joyce Storeby and Mayor Patricia J. Nerguson.
Absent none.
Also present were Darlene Brown, Al Lundeen,Wikstrom Telecom, Missy Karboviak and Scott Karsky, Kittson County DAC, Caleb Stromquist, City Maintenance and Megan Hanson, City Clerk.
Mayor Nerguson asked for any additions to the agenda. Additions included: revising the snow removal policy, discussing city ditching, Augustfest, Wikstrom cable project, Kittson County DAC inquires.
The February 22, 2011 minutes were read aloud by the clerk. Schmiedeberg made a motion, seconded by Sandahl, and carried out unanimously to approve the February 22, 2011 Minutes.
Storeby made a motion, seconded by Erickson, and carried out unanimously to approve the revised agenda with the additions mentioned previously.
Mayor Nerguson asked for any citizen concerns or public comments. There were none.
Al Lundeen with Wikstrom Telecom was in to briefly discuss the progress of the cable project. Wikstrom had purchased Stephen Cable TV and received a combination loan/grant in the amount of $7.2 million dollars from USDA for the upgrading of their data network. They are working on upgrading equipment on their fiber optic lines. They will be doing work in the cities of Lake Bronson, Kennedy, Stephen and Lancaster. They will be digging in new lines to each household in town and will eventually take down all of the overhead lines. Most of the work will be done by directional boring and the contractor will be Trudell Contracting out of Warren Minnesota. Corey Wikstrom will be the supervisor of the project. They do not have a scheduled start date for the project yet, however, all of the cable has been ordered and the equipment should be here by May 1, 2011. Lundeen wanted to update the council on their progress and provided the city with a map of where they would be digging.
Missy Karboviak and Scott Karsky with the Kittson County DAC were in to ask permission for them to raise and care for about 25 chickens year round at the DAC. The chickens would be kept in a coop on the southwest side of the building. They will use the chickens’ mess in their garden. The council did not see any issues with the request, however, noted that it may need to be re-evaluated if they start to receive complaints about it. Sandahl made a motion, seconded by Storeby, and carried out unanimously to allow the Kittson County DAC to raise chickens. Karboviak also asked about the recycling of aluminum cans. The DAC collects cans which is a source of revenue for them. They would like to put a sign up near the recycling bin asking that people bring their cans to them or that they would pick up the cans from people wanting to give them to the DAC. She wants to be sure that Mar-Kit, the new recycling provider, would not have a problem with it. Mayor Nerguson stated that she would like for the bin to be moved off of Main Street and onto the city shop lot behind the Post Office. She told Karboviak that the city would check with Mar-Kit about them having a sign up when they contact them to move the bins.
Council Member Storeby stated that “Augustfest” would be held on Saturday, August 6, 2011, which is the same weekend as Woodcarvers out at the State Park. The Improvement Committee and Woodcarvers are working together in planning the events for the weekend. Some of the events mentioned were a street dance, kid’s games, supper, flea markets, bake sales, old time music, and a car show.
Council Member Erickson stated that the snow removal policy needs to be amended, or an addition made to the policy. The issue arose from the county plow plugging driveways that were already cleared. The city used the tractor to clear out what was pushed in. Schmiedeberg made a motion, seconded by Erickson, and carried out unanimously to approve the following addition to the snow removal policy: If the State, County, or City plow pushes snow into a driveway which was already cleared of snow, the City will remove the snow which was placed there by the State, County, or City plow.
There was discussion about city ditching from the Museum to first bridge. Some culverts may need to be lowered and the ditches dug out. There was discussion of sending out request for proposals for the work. Letters should be sent out soon so that the work can be done in the near future. Council Member Erickson and Council Member Schmiedeberg will get the footage for the project. The clerk will need details of the project before anything can be sent out. Schmiedeberg made a motion, seconded by Storeby, and carried out unanimously to work on getting bids for ditching on the east side of town.
The council reviewed the claims list for bills for the month. The clerk stated that there was one addition to the claims list: an addition of $450.00 to Ron Austad for welding and repair of the tractor bucket, bringing the total amount of claims to $17,505.17. Fire Department claims for the month totaled $5,835.26. Storeby made a motion, seconded by Sandahl, and carried out unanimously to approve the claims list and pay bills.
Mayor Nerguson asked the clerk to find out about a magazine recycling bin when she contacts Mar-Kit.
The 2011 Township Fire Contracts were reviewed by the council. Storeby made a motion, seconded by Erickson, and carried out unanimously to approve the 2011 Township Fire Contracts.
The council reviewed the 2010 Financial Statements prepared by Czeh, Pederson & Wilson, Certified Public Accountants. The clerk stated that if the council members had specific questions on the statements they could contact Mark Wilson at Czeh, Pederson & Wilson. Sandahl made a motion, seconded by Storeby, and carried out unanimously to approve the 2010 Financial Statements.
New business was discussed. The clerk presented the information she had received from the League of Minnesota Cities and the attorney on changing the regular time for council meetings. The council discussed changing the time of regular council meetings from 7:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The clerk presented a schedule of regular city council meetings. Schmiedeberg made a motion, seconded by Erickson, and carried out unanimously to hold regular city council meetings on the third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Lake Bronson Community Center.
The clerk presented information on the Wellness Works Conference which will be held on April 14, 2011 in Thief River Falls. The clerk stated that the city had received $60 in grant money last year for the clerk to attend the conference, however, it was cancelled. The city also received $20 in grant money this year for the clerk to go. She stated that the conference was free and the grant money was to help pay for expenses such as mileage. She would like to attend this year as it is being held in Thief River Falls. Storeby made a motion to send the clerk to the conference; however, there was no chance for a second as the council moved on to the next item on the agenda.
The City of Lake Bronson has been confirmed as the recipient of a Certificate of Commendation for outstanding operation, maintenance and management of its wastewater treatment system. The council reviewed the letter from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
The council reviewed a letter from the Northwest Regional Development Commission asking about available housing in the area for the construction and plant workers who will be starting work at the new canola plant in Hallock. They provided posters which the clerk had posted at various locations in town.
The Thief River Falls Times will be publishing their Northern Highlights prior to Memorial Day weekend. They are interested in events in the area between the months of June and September. They would like to have information to be included before May 1. The clerk will notify them of Augustfest and the International Woodcarvers Festival which will be held the weekend of August 6, 2011.
A letter from the Kittson County Volunteer Ambulance Service was read by the city council.
Old business was discussed. The council reviewed a letter that the clerk had sent to the engineer in regards to the performance bond for the water project. The engineer had phoned the clerk and was in agreement with her as to what paragraph 9 in the bond refers to. If the seeding is not satisfactory, the city could pursue a lawsuit against Wagner Construction, but would need to do so before October 16, 2011, which would be within two years after the contractor ceased working (October 16, 2009).
The holiday decorations that the city purchased in 2010 were discussed. The total amount that was paid to Display Sales for the decorations, brackets and blue bulbs was $5,516.62. The city received $2,479.06 in monetary donations from various individuals and businesses, and Council Member Schmiedeberg also donated supplies and his time. After donations received, the total expense to the city was $3,037.56.
Employee hours and wages were discussed again. The council reviewed the February 2011 payroll report, employee earnings records, time cards and time sheets, daily work logs from the clerk and maintenance worker, and the employee handbook. The council decided that they would not change employee hours or wages, but want to be certain that every hour worked is accounted for. They would also like set schedules for the employees every day. The maintenance worker and clerk are to punch in and out at the same time each day. There will be no comp time unless there is an emergency.
Tom and Pat Stallock were not present at the meeting to discuss the loans made to Arnie’s Market. The council reviewed a letter that the clerk had sent to Stallocks. There was some discussion about the delinquency of the loans and the sale of the grocery store. A special meeting may be called if the need arises.
Council Member Sandahl asked the clerk if she heard any response from the four individuals who were sent letters for their dogs running loose. The clerk reported that one of the four had come in and was very upset about receiving the letter as he stated that his dog had not been loose.
Caleb Stromquist, City Maintenance/Water Operator/Wastewater Operator, was in to discuss some issues with the council. Stromquist stated that the John Deere was leaking transmission fluid and that there was a crack and bulge in the housing of the transmission. He also reported that the control structures for the sewer ponds are leaking. Stromquist stated that the tracks for the gates are shot and he has been working on getting prices for repair.
The council read a thank you from the Kittson County Historical Society for the donation the city gave to them.
Storeby made a motion, seconded by Schmiedeberg, and carried out unanimously to adjourn to the next regular scheduled council meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 18, 2011.
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Megan Hanson, City Clerk
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