Spring Grove Council

Regular Meeting – June 3, 2014

Page 5 of 5

CALL TO ORDER; PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE; ROLL CALL

The regular meeting of the Spring Grove City Council was called to order by Mayor Poole at 6:30 P.M. on Tuesday June 3, 2014 at 168 W. Main Street, Spring Grove, MN.

Present: A. Bruce Poole, Mayor

Lorilyn Dehning, Council Member

Nancy Nelson, Council Member

Robert Vogel, Council Member

Rachel Olerud, Council Member

Also Present: Erin Konkel, City Clerk/Treasurer

Joe Hammell, City Attorney

ADOPT AGENDA

Council Member Nelson moved to adopt the agenda. Seconded by Council Member Olerud. All approved. Motion carried.

CONSENT AGENDA

Council Member Vogel moved to approve the consent agenda. Seconded by Council Member Nelson. All approved. Motion carried.

CLOSED SESSION

Council Member Nelson moved to close the session to discuss personnel matters at the Corner Bar. Seconded by Council Member Olerud. All approved. Motion carried.

RE-OPEN SESSION

Council Member Nelson moved to re-open the session. Seconded by Council Member Olerud. All approved. Motion carried.

Attorney Hammell gave a synopsis of the closed session. He stated that the investigation was completed in regards to three employees and 2 non-employees that had a party in the Corner Bar after hours in which they served themselves and the other non-employed people. He stated that the council has the option to terminate the employees if they so choose. The employees in discussion were Brittany Stadtler, Jacqueline Clauson, and Aaron Zafft.

Council Member Vogel moved to terminate the three employees involved. Seconded by Council Member Nelson. All approved. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

Basketball Court Plans

Council Member Vogel presented the plans for the new proposed basketball court. The site plans and specifications were included in the packet. He stated that the Parks Commission would like to let it out for bids. He also mentioned that many people were interested in contributing to the project.

Council Member Nelson moved to seek sealed bids for the specifications that were listed in the packet for 30 days and bring it back to the second meeting in July. Seconded by Council Member Dehning. All approved. Motion carried.

Resident JC Nerstad asked if the city planned to fund the project. The council said they would contribute depending on the cost. There is some money in the budget set aside.

Corner Bar Update

Council Member Dehning stated that the Corner Bar was in need of a new popcorn machine which costs approximately $535. Council Member Nelson moved to purchase a new popcorn machine with a cap of $600. Seconded by Council Member Olerud. All approved. Motion carried.

The future of the Corner Bar was also discussed with Patrick Longmire commenting on the issue, who was in favor of closing the bar. Council Member Nelson moved to table the issue until January 2015. Seconded by Council Member Olerud. Council Members Nelson, Olerud and Mayor Poole aye. Council Members Dehning and Vogel nay. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

Firework Policy

City Clerk/Treasurer Konkel stated that there is not a current firework policy in place and there had been a request to have fireworks on the EDA land on July 4th the night before a motocross event. Attorney Hammell stated that a resolution would do for the one-time event and he would help Konkel prepare one.

Fun Drive/Committee for Swim Center

Council Member Dehning stated the she would like to revive the Friends of the Pool group to raise fund for the Swim Center if it was okay with the council. Council Member Nelson moved to allow the Swim Center liaisons to establish an ad hoc committee to raise funds. Seconded by Council Member Vogel. All approved. Motion carried.

Football Field

Council Member Nelson stated the she would approved giving the football field to the school. She also stated that insurance clarification was needed to ensure that the city was covered for all the events that take place at the field. Attorney Hammell stated that a contract with the school would be wise and should include whos liable for what and a maintenance deal. Mayor Poole requested to table for now in order to get more information. Attorney Hammell will start working on a contract, consulting with both the school and the city.

Updating Work Status for Officer Tyler Heiden

Chief Paul Folz requested that the council take Officer Heiden from probationary status since he has now served for 12 months. Council Member Nelson moved to place Officer Heiden on regular status. Seconded by Council Member Vogel. All approved. Motion carried.

Policy Decisions on Capital Improvement and Debt Service Funding

Council Member Nelson stated that the auditors wanted to change/close funds and was wondering how the council felt about the recommendations provided by Smith, Schafer and Associates. The council was not in favor of multiple accounts be closed or changed. Council Member Vogel also stated that there was no recent replacement plan for electric. Council Member Nelson and City Clerk/Treasurer Konkel will work on getting something together for July.

Purchases for Swim Center

Council Member Dehning asked for approval to purchase the following: Computer at $585, Lifeguard Chairs at $1636 and Uniforms at $600. Council Member Vogel moved to approve the purchases. Seconded by Council Member Nelson. All approved. Motion carried.

Bids to Paint Bottom of Pool

Council Member Dehning stated that she would like to get bids on the painting of the bottom of the pool this fall. Council Member Nelson moved to get sealed bids to refinish the bottom of the pool when the water was drained. Council Member Nelson then withdrew her motion and the matter will be discussed at a future meeting.

Light Pole Banners

Karen Bingham requested that she, along with a group of community members, would like to purchase banners for the light poles at no expense to the city. She provided picture of the banners for the council to see. She also stated that it would be enough to cover 30 light poles.

Discussion was had on the banners as some were opposed to the design provided. Council Member Vogel moved to accept the gift of banners. Seconded by Council Member Dehning. Council Members Dehning, Vogel Olerud and Mayor Poole aye. Council Member Nelson nay. All approved. Motion carried.

Karen Bingham said she would go ahead and order the 30 banners. The turnaround time would be approximately 20 days.

Corner Bar Reconsideration

Council Member Nelson stated that she would like the council to reconsider the termination of Jaqueline Clauson and Aaron Zafft as the employees are needed. Seconded by Council Member Olerud. Council Members Olerud and Nelson aye. Council Members Vogel, Dehning and Mayor Poole nay. Motion failed.

MEETING REPORTS

Council Member Vogel with the Parks Commission stated that the tree sale was finalized the end of May and it went over really well with residents.

MAYOR/COUNCIL

Council Member Dehning stated that the Swim Center had 221 lesson sign-ups and 45 season passes sold.

The one way on Maple Drive was discussed. JC Nerstad was looking for clarification on how the parking spaces should be painted. Council Member Vogel moved to paint the lines diagonally with no new signage for now. Seconded by Council Member Olerud. All approved. Motion carried.

OPEN FORUM

Resident JC Nerstad expressed concerns about the communication with some council members, stating that some won’t answer his calls or hang up on him. He also stated that he was not sure why the council kept postponing the fate of the liquor store.

ADJOURNMENT

Council Member Vogel moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Council Member Dehning. All approved. Motion carried. The Regular Meeting concluded at 8:02 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted and

Approved on June 17, 2014

Attest: ______Erin Konkel City Clerk/Treasurer