Page 5 of 5 Regular Meeting Minutes 02/07/2011
Montgomery City Council
Regular City Council Meeting
February 07, 2011
7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Jean Keogh called the City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Montgomery City Council Chambers.
ROLL CALL
All Council members present: Jean Keogh, Bill Wencl, Tim Siebsen, Bonnie Sery-Malecha, Dave King. Also in attendance City staff: Steve Helget, Tim Warnemunde, and Sharon More. Others present: Jake Keohen of the Montgomery Messenger, Monte Eastvold of Northland Securities, and Chris Cavett of Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. Residents present: Tim Bisek, Pam Edel, Michael Maxa, Edward Keogh, and John Grimm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE
Recited.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion made by Sery-Malecha to adopt the agenda with (2) additional items. Second by Siebsen and carried unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion made by King to approve the Consent Agenda which consisted of the minutes from the January 24 and 25, 2011 City Council meetings, and the February bills. Second by Siebsen and carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND PRESENTATIONS
REPORTS AND ACTION REQUESTS FROM DEPARTMENTS
ADMINISTRATION
1. Veterans Memorial Proposal
Representatives, Montgomery American Legion Post 79 Michael Maxa, Montgomery Veteran’s Project Coordinator John Grimm, and VFW Post 5340 Commander Edward Keogh presented a proposal to utilize the City’s vacant lot on Boulevard Avenue (across from the Police Department) for the purpose of establishing a City owned Veteran’s Park and Memorial.
Council questions, concerns, and discussion followed; also City Attorney Warnemunde expressed some concerns. There was a consensus amongst the Council members to refer the proposal to the Park Board and Finance Committee for a more detailed evaluation and bring back findings to the Council.
2. City Cell Phones
Helget reviewed the current agreement with Verizon Wireless and details as to the number and location of City’s current cell phones.
No Council action.
3. Website Consultant Contract
Helget distributed for Council review an Independent Contractor Agreement, to Contract with Renee Southworth to update and possibly redesign the City of Montgomery Website.
Motion made by Sery-Malecha to approve the Independent Contractor Agreement with Renee Southworth contingent upon Renee’s approval and acceptance of the agreement. Second by Wencl and carried unanimously.
4. Newspaper Articles
Helget requested the Council consider continuation of the Newspaper Articles to the editor of the Montgomery Messenger. Siebsen and Keogh expressed the desire to have articles that include information from Committees/ Boards in addition to the Council and Staff.
There was a consensus amongst the Council members to continue with this practice and will be contacting each with the month that would work best for them.
5. Resolution 6-2011, Consumption & Display Liquor License
Resolution 6-2011 is for renewing Pla-More Consumption & Display Liquor License.
Motion made by King to approve Resolution 6-2011. Second by Siebsen and carried unanimously.
6. Item Added: Childhood Cancer Awareness Proclamation
Motion made by Siebsen to proclaim the week of February 13 – 19, 2011 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Week. Second by Wencl and carried unanimously.
Mayor Keogh read the Proclamation and asked that it be posted.
7. Item Added: Mobilize Letter
The Mobilize Board of Directors requests a joint meeting with the City Council, the Montgomery Economic Development Authority and the Montgomery Area Community Club on Monday, February 28, 2011, 6 p.m. at Hilltop Hall.
Motion made by Siebsen to have a Special joint meeting on February 28, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at Hilltop Hall. Second by Sery-Malecha and carried unanimously.
AMBULANCE SERVICE – Nothing
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
1. SCDP Grant Update
Helget reported on the memo from Steve Moline of Pettipiece & Associates on the progress of the Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) grant.
Business owner Pam Edel expressed frustration in applying for the grant funds, stating that the process seemed backwards.
No Council action.
FINANCIAL
1. Resolution 07- 2011, General Obligation Tax Abatement Refunding Bonds
Monte Eastvold of Northland Securities, Inc. reviewed the refunding bonds for the 2004A G.O. Tax Abatement Bonds. Explaining that since the Council’s last meeting, interest rates had fallen and the City locked into the sale of the refunding bonds for a savings of $51,058.
Motion made by Siebsen to approve Resolution 07-2011, Approving the Issuance of Taxable General Obligation Tax Abatement Refunding Bonds, Series 2011A. Second by Wencl and carried unanimously.
FIRE DEPARTMENT – Nothing
LIBRARY – Nothing
PARKS
1. Park Facilities User Fees
Helget provided the recommendation from the Parks & Recreation Board, at their January 24, 2011 by changing the fees as follows: No participant fees for High School sanctioned events; no fee for participants under the age of 16; for participants age 16 to 18 the fee shall be $5.00; and $10.00 per participant for teams where the majority of the players are 18 years of age.
Motion made by Siebsen to accept fees as recommended by the Park & Recreation Board for 2011. Second by Sery-Malecha and carried unanimously.
2. Lawn Spraying – Turf Tech
Helget stated that the Parks & Recreation Board recommends hiring Turf Tech Lawn Services to weed spray the Memorial ball fields for 2011.
Motion made by Sery-Malecha to approve the Lawn Service Spraying Agreement as presented. Second by Siebsen and carried unanimously.
PLANNING AND ZONING
1. Planning & Zoning Commission Appointment
Tim Bisek applied to serve on the Commission for the open seat, it is a three-year term formerly held by Lloyd Wiechmann.
Motion made by Siebsen to appoint Tim Bisek to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Second by Wencl, and carried unanimously.
POLICE DEPARTMENT – Nothing
PUBLIC WORKS-UTILITIES DEPARTMENTS – Nothing
OLD BUSINESS
A. Second Street Feasibility Study Engineering Proposal
Resolutions 8-2011 directing SEH to prepare the feasibility study
Chris Cavett of SEH reviewed the service proposal for preparing the Feasibility Study for the proposed Second Street Project, along with a proposal to add Fir Avenue and Third Street to the Feasibility Study.
Motion made by King to approve Resolution 8-2011. Second by Siebsen, and carried unanimously.
B. New Fire Hall Options
Helget provided a report on his attendance at a recent Fire Department meeting and the input members provided in reference to converting the Westerman panel building into a new Fire Hall.
Following Council discussion there was a consensus to put this project on hold and could bring back another time in the future.
NEW BUSINESS
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS AND INFORMATION
Motion made by Siebsen to cancel the next regular City Council meeting. Next scheduled meeting is for Monday, March 7, 2011. Second by Sery-Malecha, and carried unanimously.
Fire and Ambulance Service meeting with Townships – February 24, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
Boards & Commissions Meeting at the American Legion for Goal Setting – February 18, 2011 6:00 p.m.
Mandatory Staff Training at the Library – Thursday, February 10, 2011 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Park Manor Project Update – Helget reported that they have finished insulation on 2nd floor and started sheet rocking. Brick work has started on the exterior and they have ordered furniture. Building is scheduled for completion at end of May.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Keogh expressed her thoughts and concerns for Officer Pete Bulger and family of the total loss they incurred with their February 4, 2011 house fire.
Mayor Keogh attended the LMC Conference January 28 – 29, 2011
Upcoming events:
March 2, 2011, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Campaign at the Mankato Armory.
Meeting with the Mayor, next at Fred’s IGA on February 12, 2011
Chat with the Mayor next Friday
Looking for Boards/ Committees input, still (4) openings on PUC
Doug Perrot will be retiring from SEH
ADJOURN
There being no further business, motion was made by Sery-Malecha to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Siebsen and carried unanimously. The meeting was declared adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon More
Clerk – Treasurer