Mayor Pro Tem David Dinnel called the regular meeting of the Ortonville City Council to order at 7:05 p.m. Roll call was taken and the following were present: Dave Dinnel, Mel Reinke, Mary Gustafson, Dan Oakes, Lisa Berkner, Mike Dorry and the following were absent: none. City staff present: Roman Taffe, Gary Dinnel. Media present: Ryan Stattelman. Others present: Starr Hallock, David Torgerson, Bruce Swigerd, Mel Domine, Artie Arndt, Selma Felton, Pearl Rebehn, Mike Carlson, Don Felton, Kathi Thymian, Renee Athey, Suzette Kaercher-Blake, Tom Kaye, LaValle Berkner, Tami Lundberg, LaVerne Kaye, Georgia Kolb, Mary Ann Ulrich, Mel Ehlert, Steve Berkner, Donna Gregory, Jyla Dahle, Deb Barnhardt, Vini Paht, Pat Hyatt, Lenore Sellin, Randy Mortensen, Drew Hagquist, Terry Kalberg, Wally Hallock.

Recognitions:

6.d Water Monitor, Inc.

Board/Committee Recommendations:

11.e Sewage pump purchase

New Business:

13.i Bombing relief resolution discussion

Ann Lundberg, representing the county historical society, updated council on the transportation grant which had been approved. She asked council to consider contributing $11,000 toward the $22,000 matching fund requirement. No action was taken at the time.

Donna Gregory & Terry Kalberg, from the chamber of commerce, again asked council to reconsider the budget for tourism expenses. They submitted their budget of about $10,400 and stated they felt that was as low as they could reasonably reduce it to. It was the consensus of council to further consider the matter and discuss it at a later date.

At 7:58, Randy Mortensen, from Water Monitor, Inc., asked council to consider calling a special meeting to specifically discuss his company’s proposal to provide bill-read-collect services for the city’s utilities for 100 customers on a pilot program basis. Mayor Pro Tem Dinnel called a special meeting of the council at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2001 in the council chambers for the purpose of discussing the Water Monitor, Inc. proposal.

Norm Schultz, Anchor Motel owner, stated that he was against the lodging tax.

At 8:10 p.m., Dinnel asked if there were any additions, corrections, or deletions to be made to the Consent Agenda. Motion was made by council member Berkner, and seconded by council member Gustafson approving the Consent Agenda (excepting therefrom the City Council 9/17/01 minutes) which included the following items:

13.a: Resolution Approving Strege Site Invoice #016710 (RES 01-119).

13.b: Motion accepting resignation of Police Chief Gary Dinnel 12/28/01.

13.c: Motion approving Hwy 7 project pay request #10 for $206,122.00.

13.d: Motion approving Minnesota Energy Assistance Program vendor agreement.

13.e: Resolution Appointing 2001 Election Judges (RES 01-118).

15: Motion approving payment of bills as presented.

With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Ryan Stattelman, representing the Independent, asked council to change the wording of the 9/17 council minutes regarding the executive session. Reinke moved and Oakes seconded and the motion passed unanimously approving the Council 9/17/01 minutes as presented.

Dan Oakes left the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Council discussed the LaValle Berkner request for variances of the Shoreland Management Ordinance and the Zoning Ordinance and the matter was tabled pending further review by the planning commission.

Reinke moved and Dorry seconded and the motion passed unanimously authorizing advertising for the Chief of Police position due to the resignation tendered by Gary Dinnel.

Reinke moved and Dinnel seconded that a resolution be adopted Approving Peninsula Canal Cleanup (RES 01-117). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Dinnel moved and Gustafson seconded that a resolution be adopted Allocating Jefferson Avenue Project Funds (RES 01-120). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Council discussed a recommendation to hire a surveyor to determine on whose land the Pacific Avenue retaining wall sat and it was determined no further action was needed on the matter.

Reinke moved and Dinnel seconded and the motion passed unanimously directing City Building Official and Health Officer to inspect and present to the council findings of fact on the dwellings at 824 2^nd Avenue SE and 818 2^nd Avenue SE.

Council discussed the Prairie Waters Tourism director hours available for the city. Dinnel moved and Reinke seconded and the motion passed unanimously directing remaining hours available at Prairie Waters in 2001 be made available to Chamber of Commerce.

Dinnel announced he had been informed that the previous resolution donating to the relief efforts subsequent to the recent East coast bombings was not a proper use of local taxpayer dollars. Dinnel moved and Gustafson seconded that a resolution be adopted Rescinding Resolution 01-115 (RES 01-121). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Dinnel moved and Reinke seconded that a resolution be adopted Committing Transportation Grant Matching Funds (RES 01-122). With Gustafson, Dinnel, Dorry, Reinke voting in favor, and with Berkner voting against, the motion carried 4-1.

Council discussed the vacancy on the personnel committee. Dorry volunteered to be on said committee and it was the consensus of the council that Dorry be the third representative to said personnel committee.

Council discussed complaints received on the condition of the lower parking lot. It was suggested more signage, secure dumpsters, and more city cleanup should be directed to the area.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Reinke moved that the October 1, 2001 meeting of the Ortonville City Council be adjourned and with no objections thereto, Dinnel adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.

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Roman C. Taffe, City Clerk-Administrator