January 5, 2009

The Burlington City Council held their regular meetingJanuary 5, 2009. Present were Jerome Gruenberg, Mayor, Diane Fugere, Auditor, CouncilmenWayne Walter, Tim Hoff, Brett CasavantJack Anderson. Also present were Keith Crabb, Clint Cogdilland Delvin Stemen.

Casavant moved to approve the minutes of the December 1, 2008 meeting, Hoffseconded and motion carried unanimously.

Walter moved to approve all bills and payroll,Anderson seconded and motion carried unanimously.

Clint informed council snow is piling up and he is running out of places to pile it. After much discussion, Clint and Dick will use the city loader and bobcat to push snow back from all city streets. Council will be contacted for approval of commercial snow removal in the event of the next substantial snowfall.

Diane reported Ruth Reisewig rented the city hall for Christmas and has requested a refund due to problems with mice. Walter moved to give Reisewigs a full refund on hall rent, Anderson seconded and motion carried unanimously.

Council instructed Diane to contact Ecolab Pest Control regarding the above matter.

TRANSFERS:

After review of 2008-year end fund balances Hoff, moved to transfer $850.00 from the police budget to the Police Vehicle Reserve Fund, Anderson seconded and motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Casavant moved to transfer an additional $400.00 from the Highway Fund to the Highway Equipment Reserve Fund, Walter seconded and motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Diane informed council she will be on vacation January 28 – Feb 1, 2009.

Council discussed correspondence received from Pringle & Herigstad regarding an opinion from Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem regarding prosecution of DUI charges in cities less than 5000 people lacking a law-trained judge. Any DUI’s cited by the Burlington Police Department would go directly to district court. The impact of this information on the police department budget was discussed. Officer Crabb reported to council that he will be attending a Police Chief meeting later this month and would have further information later.

PAYROLL AND BILLS APPROVAL FOR DECEMBER 2008
Check # / Payee / Net
12322 / Avenet / 396.00
12323 / Burlington Post Office / 192.00
12324 / First District Health Unit / 30.00
12325 / Hach / 79.52
12326 / Martronics / 140.00
12327 / MDU / 807.36
12328 / Menards / 209.67
12329 / Minot Chrysler / 28.70
12330 / NAPA / 276.25
12331 / One Call Concepts / 11.16
12332 / Pringle & Herigstad / 828.34
12333 / Steen Construction / 702.30
12334 / Verendrye Electric / 195.00
12335-12342 / void / 0.00
12343 / Cindy Bader / 508.51
12344 / Clint Cogdill / 1,101.54
12345 / Keith Crabb / 913.82
12346 / Diane Fugere / 1,053.24
12347 / Dennis Snodgrass / 930.90
12348 / Linda Schwandt / 100.00
12349 / Rod Schwandt / 50.00
12350 / State Disbursement Unit / 181.00
12351 / Burlington Post Office / 150.00
12352 / General Trading Co / 96.04
12353 / Trinity Health / 10.00
12354 / Burlington Electric / 87.49
12355 / General Equipment / 248.76
12356 / WardCounty Auditors Office / 60.00
12357 / Minot Daily News / 80.56
12358 / Hawkins / 1,067.38
12359 / Western Steel / 320.30
12360 / NAPA / 12.79
12361 / Larsco / 4,527.00
12362 / Ackerman Estvold Engineering / 14,400.00
12363 / Ackerman Surveying / 4,339.55
12364 / Behms / 31.04
12365 / Menards / 28.74
12366 / TSX / 2,800.00
12367 / Bitz Landscaping / 2,500.00
12368 / Visa / 540.50
12369 / Cross Country Courier / 165.33
12370 / Behms / 91.11
12371 / Blue Cross/Blue Shield / 1,076.05
12372 / Dakote Fire Extinguisher / 59.35
12373 / Dwyer Law Office / 1,854.00
12374 / General Trading Co / 219.72
12375 / NDSU Ext.Pesticide Program / 65.00
12376 / Share Corp / 1,188.80
12377 / SRT / 460.32
12378 / United #7 / 682.20
12379 / Webcom US Communications / 390.00
12380 / Xcel Energy / 2,858.71
12381 / Tractor Supply / 167.59
12382 / Cindy Bader / 553.61
12383 / Clint Cogdill / 1,101.54
12384 / Keith Crabb / 913.82
12385 / Diane Fugere / 1,053.24
12386 / Cari Olson / 168.38
12387 / Dennis Snodgrass / 916.50
12388 / Delvin Stemen / 807.42
12389 / Jerome Gruenberg / 277.05
12390 / Wayne Walter / 101.59
12391 / Tim Hoff / 244.73
12392 / Jack Anderson / 203.17
12393 / Brett Casavant / 203.17
12394 / AFLAC / 70.40
12395 / NDPERS / 1,178.44
12396 / Prudential / 173.67
12397 / State Disbursement Unit / 181.00
12398 / UCB / 3,342.46
12399 / Behms / 38.15
12400 / Circle Sanitation / 3,206.25
12401 / ND League of Cities / 301.00
12402 / ND Tax Commissioner / 528.00
12403 / Northwest Tire / 49.32
12404 / Swanston / 385.72
12405 / First District Health Unit / 75.00
12406 / Sundre Sand & Gravel / 267.42
12407 / C & C Plumbing / 333.25
12408 / General Trading Co / 145.20
12409 / Martronics / 197.50
12410 / Northwest Tire / 419.89
12411 / Public Financial Management / 5,223.69
12412 / Ruth Reisewig / 100.00
12413 / Rod Schwandt / 55.00
12414 / Thorsrud Supply / 65.02
12415 / US Bank / 750.00
12416 / WardCounty Auditors Office / 8,258.75
12417 / Jami Wolf-Kokot / 182.00

Respectfully submitted,

______

Diane Fugere, AuditorJerome Gruenberg, Mayor

February 2, 2009

A regular meeting of the Burlington City Council was held December 1, 2008. Present were: Mayor Jerome Gruenberg, Council members Tim Hoff, Brett Casavant, Jack Anderson, Auditor Diane Fugere, Public Works Director Clint Cogdill, Police Sgt. Dennis Snodgrass, PW Assistant, Delvin Stemen, Engineer Ryan Ackerman and other members of the community.

Hoff moved to approve the minutes of the January 5, 2009 meeting, Casavant seconded and motion carried.

Anderson moved to approve bills and payroll as presented, Hoff seconded and motion carried.

Clint discovered frame cracks on the bobcat purchased last year and is concerned about further damage to the unit during regular use. He has spoken with the seller about turning it back with monies paid used as rental fees. Clint presented council a price on a new bobcat. Casavant moved to have Clint call for bids on a new bobcat, Anderson seconded and motion carried unanimously. Hoff moved to turn back the present bobcat to the seller, Anderson seconded and motion carried unanimously.

Dennis Snodgrass discussed information on DUI’s being deferred to district court and the impact it would have on the city budget.

Guy Smestad appeared before council to ask that the city maintain the alley between his residence and the two empty lots next to it. Stating he has maintained them for years and now wants the city to take over. No action was taken.

Bill Preston asked council about the positioning of the stop signs on Wallace and 3rd Avenue near the school. After discussion it was determined one of the signs had turned in the wrong direction. Mayor Gruenberg instructed Clint to correct the problem.

Regarding Bill Preston’s building permit #536, issued in April 2008, Bill informed council he is withdrawing the request to build at this time. Anderson moved to approve refunding the building permit fee to Bill, Hoff seconded and motion carried unanimously.

Paul Metz appeared as liaison to Ward County Sheriff’s office to address any issues the city may have.

Council reviewed the Water and Sewer Rate Study as presented by Ackerman-Estvold. Anderson moved to approve Alternate #1 with amendments, motion died for lack of a second.

Discussion followed regarding the proposed Capital Improvement Program 2009 – 2011. Anderson moved to approve Alternate #1 amended as follows:

9.80Base water rate (includes 1000 gallons)

12.75Base sewer rate

2.80Each additional 1000 gallons/water

Casavant seconded and motion carried on a roll-call vote: Anderson – yes; Casavant – yes; Hoff – no.

Hoff moved to increase the water rate to out-of-town customers located across Hwy 2 & 52 to:

16.00Base water rate (includes 1000 gallons)

2.80Each additional 1000 gallons/water

Casavant seconded and motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Anderson moved to increase the water rate to OldSettlersPark to 2.80 per 1000 gallons with no change to the base rate, Hoff seconded and motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Diane reminded council that an ordinance for purchasing water for distribution to residents must be submitted to the voters for approval. Council instructed Diane to begin this process and contact the city attorney for legal assistance.

After review of the final draft of the Joint Powers Agreement, Hoff moved to accept the rates as approved by the Joint Powers Board at their January 22, 2009 meeting, Casavant seconded and motion carried unanimously.

Council reviewed a snow removal expenses report, which will be submitted to the State for partial reimbursement.

After review of a letter from Bremer Insurance regarding flood insurance for city property due to above normal snowfall council determined no action was necessary.

Diane will be attending the ND League of Cities March Madness workshop in Bismarck March 24-26.

Council reviewed the new enterprise account numbers associated with the Joint Powers Agreement.

Diane was given approval to apply for grants for playground equipment.

Diane and Clint will attend a Workforce Safety Insurance meeting in Minot on February 26.

With fines expected to be under budget by $7000.00, council discussed cutting costs relating to fines. Hoff moved to eliminate the clerk of court position effective immediately, Anderson seconded and motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

With no further business to come before the board, Anderson moved to adjourn, Hoff seconded, motion carried.

Check # / Payee / Net
12418 / MortonCounty / 225.00
12419 / MDU / 990.40
12420 / Verendrye Electric / 196.00
12421 / Cindy Bader / 563.25
12422 / Clint Cogdill / 1,101.54
12423 / Richard Cogdill / 54.86
12424 / Keith Crabb / 967.78
12425 / Diane Fugere / 1,097.94
12426 / Dennis Snodgrass / 959.52
12427 / Rod Schwandt / 50.00
12428 / Linda Schwandt / 100.00
12429 / State Disbursement Unit / 181.00
12430 / Burlington Post Office / 10.64
12431 / Karter Lesmann / 195.00
12432 / Visa / 698.76
12433 / NDWPCC / 30.00
12434 / Burlington Post Office / 168.00
12435 / void / 0.00
12436 / Clint Cogdill / 1,102.54
12437 / Richard Cogdill / 54.86
12438 / Keith Crabb / 1,580.42
12439 / Diane Fugere / 1,097.94
12440 / Cari Olson / 168.38
12441 / Dennis Snodgrass / 1,251.79
12442 / Delvin Stemen / 796.65
12443 / State Disbursement Unit / 181.00
12444 / AFLAC / 70.40
12445 / NDPERS / 1,224.64
12446 / Prudential / 176.59
12447 / UCB / 3,705.45
12448 / Cindy Bader / 513.24
12449 / A-1 Septic Tank / 350.00
12450 / Aggregate Construction / 240.00
12451 / Behm's / 94.26
12452 / Blue Cross Blue Shield / 1,076.05
12453 / Bremer Insurance / 8.00
12454 / Circle Sanitation / 3,762.02
12455 / First District Health Unit / 90.00
12456 / Gray, Thomas / 17.75
12457 / General Equipment / 387.21
12458 / Hawkins / 2,126.47
12459 / Lyle Signs / 215.33
12460 / Menards / 53.26
12461 / NAPA / 49.97
12462 / ND Rural Water Systems Assoc / 125.00
12463 / Office Max / 133.03
12464 / One Call / 1.24
12465 / RDO Equipment / 776.46
12466 / SRT / 601.17
12467 / Steve Vogelphol / 3,863.51
12468 / Sundre Sand & Gravel / 282.77
12469 / Tractor Supply / 57.92
12470 / Trinity Health / 10.00
12471 / United #7 / 669.60
12472 / WardCounty Auditors Office / 80.00
12473 / Western Steel / 113.47
12474 / Jami Wolf-Kokot / 112.00
12475 / Workforce Safety / 1,330.83
12476 / Xcel Energy / 2,875.31

Respectfully submitted,

______

Diane Fugere, Auditor Jerome Gruenberg,

March 2, 2009

The Burlington City Council held their regular meeting March 2, 2009. Present were: Council President Tim Hoff, Council Members Brett Casavant, Jack Anderson, Wayne Walter, Auditor Diane Fugere, Public Works Director Clint Cogdill, Police Sgt. Dennis Snodgrass, Police Chief, Keith Crabb, PW Assistant, Delvin Stemen.

Walter moved to approve the minutes of the February 2, 9, 11 & 18, 2009 meetings with amendments as follows: February 2, 2009 meeting: change December 1, 2008 to February 2, 2009 and to add Tim Hoff as present at the February 18, 2009 meeting; Anderson seconded and motion carried.

Walter moved to approve bills and payroll as presented, Casavant seconded and motion carried.

Officer Dennis Snodgrass explained the Law Enforcement Records Management System (LERMS) to council. At a cost of $25.00 per officer, per month, the program, operated by the state, would take care of all requirements of the police department in scanning tickets, reporting to state and council and a variety of other options. Walter moved to approve installation of this program, Casavant seconded and motion carried unanimously.

Council reviewed a letter from United Community Bank regarding pledged securities and determined they are adequate to cover our investments.

Diane reported the approval of a grant totaling $2,277.00; ($1138.50 city share; $1138.50 grant portion) from the North Dakota Department of Commerce for installation of a new shop furnace. Anderson moved to accept the grant monies and approve purchase of a new shop furnace, Walter seconded and motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Clint asked council for approval to remove the old water tank during construction of the new walking path. Council gave approval.

Diane presented the ND Department of Health Lab Contract for renewal, Walter moved to approve, Casavant seconded and motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Diane reported on the new safety management program through Workforce Safety and qualifying for up to a 25% premium discount involving self inspections, new policies, new hire training, safety training and online courses. After review, Casavantmoved to approve the Safety Committee Charter as presented, Walter seconded and motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Casavant moved to assign Diane Fugere Employer Safety Coordinator, Walter seconded and motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Casavant moved to assign Diane Fugere Employer Workers Comp Claims Coordinator, Walter seconded and motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Clint asked about a new storage area for office supplies and suggested using the space at the end of the bathroom hallway. Walter moved to approve remodeling for this project, Anderson seconded and motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

The DeSour Valley Economic Development Corporation has asked about the possibility of the council passing a resolution for property tax incentives for new residential construction. Anderson moved to approve the following committee to study the impact of this proposal:

Glen Stevens – KirkelieTownshipRon Almquist – BurlingtonTownship

Clark Ranum – Burlington-DesLacsSchoolDarla Jost – DeSour Valley EDC

Paula Bachmeier – Burlington Resident

Casavant seconded and motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Walter moved to adjourn the meeting, Anderson seconded, motion carried.

Check # / Payee / Net
12477 / Burlington Fire Department / 15,000.00
12478 / Burlington First Responders / 1,000.00
12479 / MDU / 1,153.63
12480 / Bill Preston / 190.00
12481 / Verendrye Electric / 195.00
12482 / Burlington Post Office / 168.00
12483 / Cindy Bader / 421.12
12484 / Keith Crabb / 967.78
12485 / Rod Schwandt / 50.00
12486 / Linda Schwandt / 100.00
12487 / State Disbursement Unit / 181.00
12488 / Diane Fugere / 1,097.94
12489 / Clint Cogdill / 1,009.05
12489 / Clint Cogdill / 1,102.54
12490 / Dennis Snodgrass / 959.52
12491 / ND Municipal Judges Assoc. / 25.00
12492 / Visa / 643.55
12493 / Cindy Bader / 421.12
12494 / Clint Cogdill / 1,102.54
12495 / Keith Crabb / 1,133.23
12496 / Diane Fugere / 1,097.94
12497 / Cari Olson / 168.38
12498 / Dennis Snodgrass / 1,251.79
12499 / Delvin Stemen / 606.16
12500 / State Disbursement Unit / 181.00
12501 / AFLAC / 70.40
12502 / Prudential / 141.15
12503 / NDPERS / 1,224.64
12504 / UCB / 3,522.32
12505 / Bank of ND / 900.00
12506 / Behm's / 39.75
12507 / Black Mt.Software / 1,672.00
12508 / Blue Cross Blue Shield / 1,076.05
12509 / Circle Sanitation / 3,762.02
12510 / First District Health Unit / 30.00
12511 / GCR (Firestone) / 2,068.74
12512 / Hawkins / 1,274.25
12513 / Home of Economy / 59.99
12514 / J & D Transportation / 1,000.00
12515 / Martronics / 225.00
12516 / Menards / 64.16
12517 / Minot Daily News / 112.36
12518 / NAPA / 137.47
12519 / ND Chiefs of Police Assoc. / 30.00
12520 / Office Max / 210.15
12521 / Olsons Towing / 124.95
12522 / Perlichek, Robbie / 480.00
12523 / SRT / 480.32
12524 / SourisBasin Council / 96.00
12525 / void / 0.00
12526 / void / 0.00
12527 / void / 0.00
12528 / Xcel Energy / 2,553.09
12529 / Sundre Sand & Gravel / 280.86
12530 / WardCounty Aud Office / 23.08
12531 / Jami Wolf-Kokot / 112.00

Respectfully submitted,

______

Diane Fugere, Auditor Timothy Hoff, Council President

April 6, 2009

The Burlington City Council held their regular meeting April 6, 2009. Present were: Mayor Jerome Gruenberg, Council members Tim Hoff, Brett Casavant, Wayne Walter, Diane Fugere, Clint Cogdill, Dennis Snodgrass, Keith Crabb, Delvin Stemen, Ryan Ackerman, John Pietsch and members of the community.

Walter moved to approve the minutes of the March 2, 17 & 23, 2009 meetings, Hoff seconded and motion carried.

Walter moved to approve bills and payroll as presented, Casavant seconded and motion carried.

Minot Chrysler suggested to Officer Snodgrass the rear differential needs flushing in the Crown Vic. There was no action taken at this time.

Dustin Clementich addressed council about the frozen water line at his residence at6 2nd Avenue. After review, council discussed installing a new service line due to the inadequate depth of the present line. Hoff moved to pay for repairs from curb stop to main, Walter seconded, motion carried. Council asked that Clementich check into possibility of boring to minimize street damage and work with Clint on these repairs.

After reviewing letters of support for passing a resolution granting property tax exemptions, Casavant moved to approved RESOLUTION GRANTING PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO 57-02-08(35), N.D.C.C. AND 57-02-08(36), N.D.C.C.

WHEREAS, the City of Burlington, acting by and through its duly elected representatives desires to encourage the construction of new residential dwellings; and WHEREAS, North Dakota statutory law authorizes the Burlington City Council to grant exemptions up to $75,000 of the true and full value of residential dwellings for single family homes, condominiums, and townhouses; and WHEREAS, the City of Burlington presently does not have an existing resolution establishing an exemption from real property taxation;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Burlington, that, pursuant to sections 57-02-08(35) and (36), N.D.C.C., $75,000.00 of the true and full value of all new single family residential property, exclusive of the land on which it is situated, is exempt from taxation from the first two taxable years after the taxable year in which the construction is begun.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that up to $75,000.00 of the true and full value of all condominium and townhouse residential properties, exclusive of the land on which it is situated, is exempt from taxation for the first two taxable years after the taxable year in which construction is begun.

The exemption from taxation authorized by this resolution shall only be effective if all special assessments and other taxes on the property are not delinquent. Further, the first occupant of the property after construction is completed must own the property, Walter seconded and motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

City engineer, Ryan Ackerman, along with Ward County Water Resource Board Chairman, John Pietsch reported on flood conditions in the city limits. There are several areas of concern and the city needs to mobilize all resources for filling sand bags and building dikes. A meeting was scheduled for April 7 with council, fire department, Ward County Sheriff’s office, Corp of Engineers and other entities.

Hoff presented the following building permits to council:

#552 Garrett RobinsonStorage Shed/Shop$58.00

Walter moved to approve, Casavant seconded, motion carried unanimously.

The rest of the media has arrived with installation scheduled for the first week in May. However, with flooding issues in the city, media installation has been postponed to a later date.

Engineer Ackerman will put together a proposal for splitting the sewer force main at the lagoons for the next regular meeting.

Clint is to get estimates for capping Wells 1 & 2 for the next regular meeting.

Discussion followed regarding offering free advertising on the access channel for the months of May and June to anyone in our viewing area. Hoff moved to offer access channel advertising free of charge, one week at a time, requiring a phone call each week to continue the ad, Walter seconded and motion carried unanimously.

Diane presented the Minot Hockey Boosters gaming licenses for renewal. Walter moved to approve renewal, Casavant seconded, motion carried unanimously.

Council gave approval for Diane to attend the MSU Municipal Finance Officers Institute in June.

Clint asked about renting a hot tar machine to seal cracks at a cost of $1400.00 plus estimated $2000 for materials. Council approval was given.