REGULAR MEETING
SAUK RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL
SAUK RAPIDS GOVERNMENT CENTER, 250 Summit Ave N.
Monday, January 26, 2015
MINUTES
6:00 PM.
1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Gunderson called the meeting to order at 6:00p.m. Members present: Ellen Thronson, Kurt Hunstiger, Steve Heinen, and Nick Sauer. Others present: Ross Olson, City Administrator, Adam Ripple, City Attorney, Terry Wotzka, City Engineer, Pete Eckhoff, Public Works Director, Todd Schultz, Community Development Director, Perry Beise, Police Chief, and Dana Furman, Administrative Services Coordinator.
2. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
Councilperson Heinen requested to add Sidewalk Snow Removal as agenda item 12-A. Pete Eckhoff requested to add Food Donation as agenda item 11-A.
3. Approve the Agenda
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Hunstiger and seconded by Councilperson Sauer to approve the Agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Approve Minutes
A. 1-12-15 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Thronson and seconded by Councilperson Heinen to approve the 1-12-15 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
6. Mayor’s Communications
· Paul Weber, 8 Years of Service on the Sauk Rapids City Council—Mayor Gunderson recognized former Councilperson Paul Weber with a service plaque for his 8 years of service on the Sauk Rapids City Council. Mayor Gunderson noted some of the different achievements that occured during the 8 years that Weber was on the City Council.
Pete Eckhoff stated that the City of Sauk Rapids recognizes employees for their dedicated service to the City in 5 year increment anniversary dates. He said that up until recently the recognition chart in the City’s Personnel Policy ended at 30 years and then went to a retirement recognition. Because this type of dedication is something to be proud of, the City presented each employee with a $50 gift card to a Sauk Rapids business along with their plaque.
Chief Besie also recognized Police Officer, Brent Bukowski for his 15 years of service on the Sauk Rapids Police Department.
35 (or more) Years of Service
· Kirk Abraham has been with the City of Sauk Rapids since April 3, 1978
· Harlen Frank has been with the City of Sauk Rapid since August 29, 1977
· Thomas Schnettler has been with the City of Sauk Rapids since September 1, 1978
· Bonnie Skillrud who will be retiring at the end of March has been with the City of Sauk Rapids since January 1, 1980 (Unable to Attend Meeting)
15 Years of Service
· Brent Bukowski, 15 Years of Service to the Sauk Rapids Police Department
7. Audience Items/Visitors Total Time Limit 2 Minutes for Items NOT on the Agenda
Sylvester Stellmach, 320 South Summit Avenue, discussed the concerns that he had regarding his neighbors lack of upkeep of their yard. He noted that the grass is often overgrown and there are unsightly brush piles. Stellmach noted that there is also an abandoned RV on the property. He questioned if there is anything in the City ordinances that can be done to prevent blighted properties.
Ross Olson stated that unfortunately these types of nuisance issues happen in every City. Olson said that law enforcement does cover nuisance issues. He noted that at the Department Head meeting earlier today, City staff talked about ways in which to address blighted property issues. Olson said that staff plans to check in with other area cities to see what their best practices are for addressing and enforcing blighted property issues. He stated that he envisions this topic going to a subcommittee of the Council and then to the whole Council before summer.
Henry Oerhlein, 3425 Golden Spike Road, informed that Council that he was recently involved in a car accident on 2nd Street and Summit Avenue. Oerhlien noted that the young man who hit him had said that he didn’t see him. Oerhlein said that he agrees that there is somewhat of a blind spot at the intersection of this new roadway. He suggested that the City possibly clear out some trees in this location to prevent future accidents.
8. Public Hearings
A. Applicant Purpose
Sauk Rapids Softball Association To Consider A Request For An On-Sale 3.2 Beer License For The Sauk Rapids Softball Association, Located At 1st Street South and 10th Avenue South
1. Open Public Hearing
Ross Olson noted that included with the meeting materials tonight is an application for an On-Sale 3.2 Beer License for the Sauk Rapids Softball Association. He stated that all necessary documents and fees have been received. Olson advised the Council that as in the past, the Applicant will be required to submit a Certificate of Insurance for Liquor Liability prior to the start of liquor sales. Staff is recommending approval of the resolution approving the On-Sale 3.2 Beer License for the period of April 21, 2015 through October 24, 2015.
2. Close Public Hearing
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Hunstiger and seconded by Councilperson Sauer to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Consider Action
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to approve and adopt a resolution approving an On-Sale 3.2 Beer License for the the license period of April 21, 2015 through October 24, 2015 for the Sauk Rapids Softball Association contigent upon a Certificate of Liability Insurance being submitted prior to liquor sales. Motion carried unanimously.
9. Consent Agenda
A. Approve Revised Extension of Refuse Collection Service Agreement with Allied Waste
B. Approve Disposal of Old Leather Gear By Sale To Stu’s Gun Smithing
C. Approve North Lift Station Rehab
D. Authorize SEH To Proceed With Design For Sewer and Water Facilities at Bob Cross Park
E. Approve 2015 Plumbing and Mechanical Contractor Licenses
F. Authorize Staff To Order Equipment For Live Streaming City Council Meetings—Pulled for Discussion
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Hunstiger and seconded by Councilperson Heinen to approve agenda items 9A-9E. Motion carried unanimously.
9-F Authorize Staff To Order Equipment For Live Streaming City Council Meetings
Councilperson Sauer asked if the live streaming would only include City Council meetings. Schultz said that right now the intent is to focus on attempting to live stream City Council meetings as currently those are the only ones that are shown live on the cable access channel.
Councilperson Heinen asked if Schultz knew of other cities that do live streaming of City Council or other City meetings. Schultz said that some cities live stream some or all of their meetings while others do not. He said that he hasn’t talked to all of the area cities regarding what they do.
Mayor Gunderson asked if this would essentially be a YouTube video of each meeting. Schultz said that it is his understanding that all videos will be going through YouTube and there will be a link provided on the City website. He said that he believes the videos will remain archived in the YouTube servers.
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Hunstiger to authorize staff to order equipment for live streaming of City Council meetings. Motion carried unanimously.
10. Regular Agenda
NONE
11. Other Staff Items
A. Compost Site Food Drive
Pete Eckhoff provided an update regarding the Food Drive that was done at the City compost site on Saturday, January 10th and Saturday, January 17th. The compost site was open in which for residents to dispose of their Christmas tree. In return for the free disposal of the tree, residents were asked to donate a canned food item. Eckhoff said that the City collected 326lbs of food and $28 of which both were donated to the Salvation Army.
12. Other Council Items and Communications
A. Sidewalk Snow Removal
Councilperson Heinen questioned who enforces the removal of snow on sidewalks throughout the City. Beise said that the Police Department enforces City ordinances.
Councilperson Heinen asked if the City publishes the snow removal requirement in the City newsletter. Dana Furman stated that this requirement is posted in the City newsletter.
Chief Beise said that he encourages citizens if they see a problem, in this case an unkept sidewalk, to contact the Police Department as the Officers might not be aware of the issue. He said that the first step to attempt to remedy the situation is to contact the homeowners. If the issue still isn’t addressed, then the Public Works Department is called in and the work needed to remedy the situation is assessed back to the property owner.
13. Approve List of Bills and Claims
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to approve the List of Bills and Claims. Motion carried unanimously.
14. Adjournment
Motion: Moved by Councilperson Thronson and seconded by Councilperson Heinen to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Gunderson adjourned the meeting at 6:25p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dana Furman, Administrative Services Coordinator
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