DECEMBER 4, 2013
REGULAR MEETING
The regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Atwater City Council was called to order on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers by Mayor Mark Olson. Council members present were Shane Hagstrom,Patrick Wortham,Reed Schmidt and Gary Tagtow. Visitors at the meeting wereBob Kringle, Joel Gratz – ACGC School Board Member and Principal/SuperintendentSherri Borderius, Ben and Brenda Thiewes, and Andrew Carlson. Representing the city departments were Police Chief Trevor Berger, Police Officer Ross Johnson, Fire Chief Gerald Schwartz and Steve Bomstad from Maintenance.
The minutes of regular meeting of November 6, 2013 were motioned for approval by Wortham and second by Hagstrom. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR 2014 FINAL CERTIFCATION OF TAX LEVY
Mayor Olson opened the public hearing at meeting at 7:01. Olson informed the visitors that the $391,208 for 2013 and proposed for 2014 is $408,310 which is a 4.37% increase. Kringle asked what the cities various funds amounts are currently after November month end. Clerk Smith read off the amounts in checking for Kringle. Kringle brought up the fact that he is worried about the properties that have been abandoned. He was concerned that we need more young families to get them to move to Atwater. He felt we need to grow more. He would also like to see the tax base grow with more businesses. Mayor Olson closed the public hearing at 7:13.
ACGC SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATE
Chairperson Joel Gratz and Principal/Superintendent Sherri Broderius regarding the education ACGC has risen to an award school with 90% of test scores. They are recently getting phone calls from all around the area wanting to have their children attend the school. They have implemented and want to keep businesses involved with the schools by doing job shadows. This so when graduates go get their post-secondary education they can come back to the area and grow their own business. To help the school produce good workers and future entrepreneurs.
They have installed a buzz in system in both schools. They are now aware of what happens after the incident in Sandy Hook, and the changes that have occurred in law enforcement and what the children need to know in an emergency situation. They are bringing back the business classes to the curriculum. They are overjoyed with the excellent press and rise in test scores. Gratz explained was the IPADS are going well but it is a learning process in behavior. On a financial point the operating levy expires in 2015 and the district plans on renewing that levy. Also the Jr/Sr High building bond will expire in 2016 thus lowering the school district levy (three payments left).
The elementary school in Cosmos is still for sale but is currently being rented and is cash flow neutral. The cash flow is at 26% which is over their standard 20% which make the board comfortable in the finances. Enrollment is stable. They are currently updating the district website, the mission and vision statement that sets the tone for the district.
Ben and Brenda Thiewes regarding landscaping
Thiewes appeared before the council to raise concern regarding the bushes on Main Street at the intersection of Wyoming, are blocking the view of traffic at the stop sign. The bushes are encroaching the sidewalk blocking the view of any vehicle. Chief Berger will write a letter to the owner requesting a trim the bushes or remove them.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief Berger reviewed the November police report. Berger informed the council that “echarging” is going to be the direction the state is going toward a paperless ticket system. Chief Berger is starting a interaction with the public by starting coffee with a cop in January. The truck needed new tires on it so they were purchased.
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Schwartz explained that they may have four new members and one member rejoining the department. The department is workingon a grant for fire gear totaling $49,750. The matching amount would be $2,500, which they have already paid $1,000. The annual fire department Gala is going to be for raising money for a permanent generator for the community center.
Chief Schwartz asked if they could purchase 6 pagers for the department totaling a cost of $2,994. Kandiyohi County is still trying to figure out which company to purchase software from to utilize the use of cell phones as pagers. He would like to see both used in the future. Some of the costs would be pushed down to the department with a $250 setup fee plus a possible fee of $45 for 25 cell phones per month. A motion was made by Wortham and second by Hagstrom for Schwartz to purchase 6 pagers for the fire department. Motion carriedunanimously.
MAINTENACE REPORT
Bomstad requested attending a school in Redwood Falls sponsored by Rural Water on December 17th. Council approved the school. The conduit from the Pax System (water flow mixer system in water tank) was filling with water and was causing problems. The line is on a GFI outlet. Bomstad drilled holes in the box to drain the water out of the box.
Mayor Olson asked about the letter from Sara Jacobson regarding the Water Supply Plan to the DNR. The plan that was due in 1997 was turned in on 2002. The report was then due again in 2007 but was not completed. Bomstad is working on the report under the new format.
PARKS DEPARTMENT
Hagstrom had meet with the different townships to give them the final numbers required in order for the townships to figure out their annual contribution. The summary of participants and costs were included in the agenda packet. Jacoby will also do coaching along with being the summer rec coordinator. Hagstrom sited that we will have new coaches this year due to the fact some will not be coming back.
CITY CLERKS REPORT
Handed out separate from the agenda packet was a cash flow for the month November along with the check summary for the same time period.
RESOLUTION 2013-16 CONTRACT WITH PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT
After a lengthy discussion regarding the agreement, a motion was made by Wortham and second by Schmidt to approve the resolution with Johnson Street Investments LLC for the proposed apartment building on Minnesota. Vote went as follows: yea; Wortham, Hagstrom and Schmidt, nay; Tagtow. Motion carried.
Zoning variance for Micheal hennes
A motion was made by Hagstrom and second by Wortham for a variance for 18.5 feet to the west and 17 feet from the north. Motion carried unanimously.
DANCE PERMITS & OFF PREMISES LIQUOR
A motion was made by Wortham and second by Tagtow to approve a dance permit for the month of January 2014 for the IDK. Motion was carried unanimously. Motion was made by Hagstrom and second by Wortham to grant a dance permit to the HandleBar for the month of January for 2014. Motion was carried unanimously.Motion was made by Tagtow to approve a dance permit for Areli Villgran for December 14th at the community center. Motion was second by Wortham. Motion was carried unanimously. A dance permit for Bushmill Ethanol plant for December 14th at the Strong Garage was made by Wortham and second by Hagstrom. Motion was carried unanimously. Off premises liquor license for the HandleBar to serve at the Bushmill Christmas party on December 14th. Motion was made by Schmidt and second by Wortham. Motion was carried unanimously.
2014 License Renewal for alcohol, cigarette and games
Motion was made to approve all licenses as submitted in the council agenda packet was made by Hagstrom and second by Wortham. Motion was carried unanimously.
INVOICE FROM KANDIYOHI COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT
In order for the city to pay for the invoice for the radios received prior year for $18,327.69, the police department will be taking $12,000 from street repairs and another $6,328 from library budget. With that resolved council decided to pay the invoice with all the other bills.
2014 budget discussion
Since the police radios were going to be paid in fiscal year 2013, $9,000 was taken out of the police budget and $5,000 out of the library budget. Motion was made by Hagstrom and second by Schmidt to pass resolution 2013-18 setting the city’s tax levy at $394,310 a 0.78%. Motion was carried unanimously.
2014 wages for empolyees
Hagstrom felt the employee wages have been done haphazardly and we should develop a step program. Chief Berger produced a step system from Eden Valley, and council decided to wait and see what the Eden Valley has and review it at the January meeting.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
The following verified accounts were presented for payment, upon approval of the Finance Committee; it was moved by Tagtowand seconded by Schmidt. Motion carried, authorizing the Clerk/Treasurer to make such disbursements: December 5, 2013 (Checks no. #24987 – 25011 for $33,441.86). Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made to adjourn byHagstrom and seconded bySchmidt at9:32 pm. Motion carried unanimously.
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Goldie Smith
City Clerk/Treasurer
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