January, 2006 Minutes and PUBLIC HEARING FOR IMPROVEMENTS ON SOUTH BIRCH

The Ashby City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, January 3rd at Ashby City Hall at 7:00 p.m. with the following member present: Mayor Thomas Grover and Council members Lynn Jensen, Peter Hoff, Kristyn Fick and Warren Nelson Also present were Val Martin, Clerk/Treasurer; Thor Tollefson, Police Chief; Paul Teicher, Public Works Superintendent; Richard Walton, City Attorney; Jeremy Anderson from WSN; Jim Standish, Glen Dahlen, David & Donna Grover, Carl and Carol Ulrich, Jennifer Hill and Thomas Sandahl.

Mayor Grover called the public hearing to order. Jeremy Anderson from WSN distributed cost estimates to property owners and council members. A question and answer period followed. The work will possibly be done in the summer or fall. There was a discussion on the assessments. It will probably be a 15-year assessment at 6% interest. The council was in agreement that the process would go forward. The public hearing was dismissed.

Mayor Grover called the regular meeting to order.

The pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Nelson moved to approve the agenda with additions. Hoff seconded. MCU

Fick moved to approve the consent agenda as follows:

  • Approval of minutes from the December meeting.
  • Approval of bills: Prepaid: $272,681.56 and Claims for Approval: $71,966.91 for a total of $$344,648.47.

Jensen seconded. MCU

No outstanding utility bills.

Mayor Grover announced the following commission appointments:

Public Works Commission:Kristyn Fick & Lynn Jensen

Garbage Commission:Tom Grover & Warren Nelson

Street & Sidewalks Commission:Warren Nelson & Peter Hoff

Park Board:Robert Grover, Tom Grover, Paul Teicher, Rick Bystol, Donna Fay Grover, Ken Egertson.

Public Safety Commission:Warren Nelson, Dan Johnson & Richard Walton

Safety Officer:Thor Tollefson

Emergency Management:Thor Tollefson & Tom Grover

Acting Mayor:Lynn Jensen

Police Chief:Thor Tollefson

Clerk/Treasurer:Valerie Martin

Public Works Supt:Paul Teicher

Budget Committee:Warren Nelson, Peter Hoff & Val Martin

Personnel Committee:Kristyn Fick and Richard Walton

Planning Commission:Val Martin, Lynn Jensen, Tom Grover, Richard

Walton, Paul Teicher, Scott Kamrath, & Mark Koefod

Jensen moved to approve the commission appointments. Nelson seconded. MCU

Jensen made a motion to name Richard Walton as City Attorney. Fick seconded. MCU

Fick moved to name The First State Bank of Ashby and Ashby Federal Credit Union as official depositories. Hoff seconded. Jensen abstained from the vote. Motion carried.

Nelson moved to name the Ashby Dalton Post as the official newspaper. Hoff seconded. MCU

Public Safety

The Council received the police report for December 2005 and 2005 totals.

Fick moved to approve Ordinance #70 Traffic Regulations. Jensen seconded. MCU Nelson made a motion to approve Ordinance #71 Parking Regulations. Hoff seconded. MCU Jensen moved to approve Ordinance #72 Snowmobiles Regulations. Nelson seconded. MCU

It was noted that a safety meeting was held today at 1:00 p.m.

Public Works

Chris Wahlgren from Utility Services will be at the February council meeting to answer questions regarding water tower maintenance and cell antenna lease agreements. The Council discussed playground equipment and where we are at with donations. Paul Teicher talked about the right of way requirements. Instead of a new ordinance to address this issue, he felt changes to the water and sewer ordinances will take care of the requirements plus some of our forms required for digging will probably have to be changed.

New Business

Ordinance #30-Administration/Departments, Boards and Commissions was tabled until the next meeting. Nelson moved to approve. the amendment to Ordinance #112 – Liquor Regulations. Fick seconded. MCU

There was a discussion on the violation/fine that Rumor Has It received. Jensen told the council that some concerned citizens had approached her about the action taken. No further action was taken.

The Council discussed a possible Christmas get-together. The Clerk will discuss it with ambulance and fire department personnel and come up with a date. The get-together will be held in the ambulance meeting room and will be potluck.

Nelson moved to approve the ambulance pay increase. Hoff seconded. MCU

Nelson moved to approve Resolution #2006-1 Accept Donations from Wal-mart, $500 and Peter and Heidi Hoff, $250 for playground equipment and to accept $1500 donation from Ashby Legion for fire equipment. Fick seconded. MCU

Jensen moved to approve Resolution #2006-2 “A Resolution to approve wire/automated bank payments. Fick seconded. MCU

Glen Dahlen approached the council to discuss real estate taxes and a dog complaint.

Jensen moved to approve the Income qualifications for TIF policy. Fick seconded. MCU

Jensen made a motion to approve the Cafeteria/Flexible Spending Policy. Fick seconded. MCU

Adjourn 8:45 p.m.

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Valerie Martin, Clerk