Mayor David Ellingson called the regular meeting of the Ortonville City Council to order at 7:04 p.m. Roll call was taken and the following were present: Lisa Berkner, Mike Dorry, Mary Gustafson, Dave Dinnel, Dan Oakes, and the following were absent: Mel Reinke. City staff present: Roman Taffe, Gary Dinnel, Roger Anderson, David McLaughlin. Media present: Ryan Stattelman. Others present: Ron Athey, Dawn Hegland, Norm Schultz, Carol Lane, Mel Ehlert, Nate Spors, Francis Spors, Henry Gimmestad.

Mayor Ellingson called a special meeting of the Ortonville City Council for Wednesday May 30, 2001 at 4:30 p.m. to consider awarding the bid for the sale of Public Utility Revenue Warrants and to award the construction bid for the Hospital Project.

Unfinished Business:

12.b DNR grant for Fire Department equipment purchases

New Business:

13.g Discussion on Lower Parking Lot

Bids were reviewed for the Peninsula Sewer Project. Project Engineers recommended awarding the bid for Segment A to H & W Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $291,649.50 contingent upon negotiated reduction in the scope of that part of the project. Dinnel moved and Ellingson seconded that a resolution be adopted Awarding Peninsula Sewer Project Bid (RES 01-066). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Bids were opened for the 2001 tree removal project. One bid was received from Roggenbuck Tree Service. Gustafson moved and Oakes seconded that a resolution be adopted Awarding Tree Removal Bid (RES 01-067). With Ellingson, Berkner, Oakes, Gustafson, Dinnel voting in favor, and Dorry voting against, the motion carried 5-1.

At 7:21, Dawn Hegland, UMVRDC Director, addressed the Council regarding the City’s lodging tax. She said it was the understanding of the UMVRDC that the City implemented the tax to generate dollars for the regional tourism project. It was stated that there was legislation pending which would clarify the City’s ability to use local lodging tax revenues for a regional tourism effort. Ellingson offered the first reading of an ordinance Amending Lodging Tax Ordinance (ORD 01-02).

Nate Spors, Nate’s Net, Inc., asked Council to allow him to install an antennae on top of the water tower so that he could provide wireless internet access to the city. City Attorney asked if there was any consideration given to license agreements or rents, and suggested there needed to be research to make sure current franchise agreements are complied with. Mayor Ellingson directed Spors to meet with the City’s Telecommunications Board and asked that the Board make recommendations to the Council on the matter.

At 7:48 resident Carol Lane addressed Council regarding placement of a water hydrant near her property along Hwy 7. She stated that she had lost a parking spot due to the placement and asked it be moved. After considerable discussion, Ellingson moved and Oakes seconded and the motion passed unanimously tabling the matter to the next meeting to allow all council members to inspect the problem.

At 8:04 Mayor Ellingson asked if there were any additions, corrections, or deletions to be made to the Consent Agenda. Motion was made by Council member Gustafson, and seconded by Council member Oakes to approve the Consent Agenda (excepting therefrom agenda item: 13.a Renew Liquor licenses, acceptance of Airport Board Planning Commission and Golf Board minutes) which included the following items:

9: Motion approving Council minutes of May 15, 2001

10: Motion accepting and putting on file the following minutes of Boards, Committees, & Commissions (Senior Board 5/1/01, OAHS 4/24/01, EDA 5/9/01, Utility Committee 5/7/01).

10.d: Motion appointing Bonna Rasset to Library Board.

13.b: Motion approving Northern Technologies invoice #01-2428.4 $2,195.00

13.c: Motion approving golf clubhouse pay request #3 to Dallas I.Hanson

15: Motion approving disbursements as presented.

With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Council discussed a change on the resolution approving the purchase of tee shirts for flood volunteers increasing the amount paid to $277. Ellingson moved and Dorry seconded and the motion passed unanimously approving the May 7, 2001 Council minutes as amended.

City Attorney stated that the Airport Board’s decision to allow Verheul to make repairs to runway lights above his maintenance agreement could be viewed simply as a budget expense unless Council chose differently. Dinnel moved and Berkner seconded and the motion passed unanimously accepting and placing on file the 5/7/01 Airport Board minutes.

City Attorney stated that the Planning Commission/Board of Appeal’s interpretation of the setback rule is simply that body’s interpretation and is sufficient unless or until challenged. Dorry moved and Ellingson seconded and the motion passed unanimously accepting and placing on file the 5/8/01 Planning Commission/Board of Appeal minutes.

Council discussed several items in the Golf Board minutes. It was noted that the Golf fees had been approved with an error and so brochures were printed as $25.00 per day for an all day pass and it was intended as $28.00 per day. Gustafson moved and Ellingson seconded and the motion passed unanimously accepting and placing on file the 5/1/01 Golf Board minutes.

Council member Dorry left the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

Council discussed the agreement for the clubhouse lower level bathroom remodeling project. Oakes moved and Berkner seconded and the motion passed unanimously directing City Attorney to make necessary corrections in the project agreement and send to contractor for signatures.

Council discussed the debt subordination agreement requested by the HRA at the previous meeting. Gustafson moved and Ellingson seconded and the motion passed 3-2 with Gustafson, Oakes, Ellingson voting in favor and Berkner, Dinnel voting against, approving the debt subordination agreement as requested.

Ron Athey updated Council on the grant request from the DNR for SCBA fire fighting equipment. He stated that a $1,000 grant had been approved and asked council for approval to spend an additional $6,472 of equipment capital outlay budget dollars for the purchase of additional SCBA equipment. Ellingson moved and Gustafson seconded that a resolution be adopted Approving Fire Department Equipment Purchase (RES 01-068). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Council discussed the renewal of the City’s liquor licenses and Council member Gustafson said she had received several calls from concerned citizens stating there has been dancing on top of the bar at the Columbian Hotel. Dinnel voiced his concern that area establishments be operated in a decent fashion. Chief Dinnel was asked about calls received during the past year on the area bars and he stated a couple instances at two of the bars. Ellingson moved and Oakes seconded and the motion passed unanimously approving the annual renewal of liquor/wine licenses for the following establishments: Baxter’s Beef & Brew, Big Stone Lake VFW Post, Columbian Enterprises, Matador Supper Club, Moose Lodge, Ortonville Liquors.

Ellingson moved and Dinnel seconded and the motion passed unanimously appointing Char Grossman, Wade Swezey, and Curtis Hormann to the City Personnel Committee.

Council next discussed the findings provided by the City’s Health Officer and Building Inspector. Oakes moved and Ellingson seconded and the motion passed unanimously directing City Attorney to proceed with dilapidated buildings proceedings against the church building located at 4^th and Madison.

Next Council discussed purchase of land on the Peninsula where the new sewer lift station is to be constructed and which land had been previously deeded by the City to the current owner. Owner had asked for payment in the amount of $772.20 for real estate taxes paid during the period of time they owned the land. Dinnel moved and Gustafson seconded that a resolution be adopted Purchasing Peninsula Land (RES 01-069). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Council discussed complaints received regarding the lower parking lot area. It has been brought to the Council’s attention that there have been numerous complaints of individuals blocking the driving lane, intimidating persons wishing to park in that area, and considerable debris and litter left in the area. Chief Dinnel noted his department has increased patrol and enforcement of the area and it was noted that the Parks Dept. and Street Dept. personnel are spending more time to keep the area clean.

Council was updated on the progress of the Water Agreement with Big Stone City. It was the understanding of the Council that changes made and provided to Big Stone City were accurate representations of the Council. No further action was taken.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Berkner moved and Gustafson seconded that the May 21, 2001 meeting of the Ortonville City Council be adjourned and upon unanimous vote in favor of said motion, the meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m.

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Roman C. Taffe, City Clerk-Administrator