Mayor Ellingson called the regular meeting of the Ortonville City Council to order at 7:01 p.m. Roll call was taken and the following were present: Mel Reinke, David Dinnel, Mike Dorry, Mary Gustafson, and the following were absent: Dan Oakes.

City Staff Present: Roman Taffe, David McLaughlin, Paul Tinklenberg, Gary Dinnel.

Media Present: Ryan Stattelman.

Others Present: Mel Ehlert, Bud Haukos, Joe Berning.

Recognitions:

6.d Joe Berning

New Business:

13.f City Council appointment

Upon proper notice Ellingson, at 7:04 p.m. opened the public hearing for the purpose of adoption of the 2000 levy and budget. After all who wished to had been heard, Ellingson closed the hearing at 7:05. Dinnel moved and Reinke seconded that a resolution be adopted Approving 2000 Budget and Levy (RES 00-183). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

It was announced that Marlys Thompson would not be able to attend and it was the consensus of the council to allow her request to extend by a month, the time allowed for the funds previously approved for Cornfest float repairs.

Brad Rieck was also unable to attend and the council discussed the matter of garbage collection at apartments. Gustafson moved and Dinnel seconded and the motion passed unanimously approving a billing increase for multi-family properties of four units and greater to a residential collection amount for each unit comparable to other residential garbage pickup, excluding the lake side apartments.

Bill Post of the National Guard was unable to attend.

Big Stone County Sheriff, Joe Berning told the council he was working on the new 911 dispatching map and needed clarification of certain street names. Ellingson moved and Reinke seconded that a resolution be adopted Approving Street Name Changes (RES 00-184). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Mel Ehlert presented a concern about the format of the council video recording of council proceedings. He also voiced his concern over the use of the Hwy 12 ditch by snowmobiles. Ellingson stated he would contact the snowmobile club to install more signs to direct traffic away from the Hwy 12 area.

Taffe read a letter of complaint from Delores Sitter regarding the amount charged her for snow removal at her property. After further discussion it was the consensus of the council to refer the snow removal ordinance to the Street Committee for further review and recommendation. Ellingson moved and Gustafson seconded and the motion passed 4-1 with Dinnel voting against to not adjust the snow removal charges of December 6^th & 7^th.

At 7:41, Mayor Ellingson asked if there were any additions, corrections, or deletions to be made to the Consent Agenda.

9.a: Motion approving proposed Council minutes of December 4, 2000.

10 – 11: Motion approving proposed minutes and recommendations of Boards, Committees, & Commissions (Senior Center Board 12/11/00 minutes)

13.d: Motion approving advertising for Fire Dept. opening.

15: Motion approving disbursements as presented.

With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Council discussed the request for financial support of lobbying efforts to gain legislative approval of regional tourism centers. Several members stated they would be in favor but only for the upcoming year. Ellingson moved and Dorry seconded that a resolution be adopted Approving Tourism Center Lobbying Funds (RES 00-185). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Dorry moved and Reinke seconded that a resolution be adopted Approving Hwy 7 Pay Request #5 (RES 00-186). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Gustafson offered the second reading of Ordinance 00-10 and moved that a resolution be adopted Adopting Snowmobile Ordinance 00-10 (RES 00-187). Ellingson seconded the motion and with all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Council discussed the Prairie Water Tourism Coalition board representation and the requested approval of bylaws for said organization. Reinke moved and Dinnel seconded and the motion passed unanimously approving the Prairie Waters Tourism Coalition bylaws with certain recommended changes.

Council next discussed a complaint on the Hwy 7 project. It was noted that the project engineers and MnDOT engineer met with the resident today and certain items would be immediately addressed. No further action was taken.

Mayor Ellingson announced that he recommended the appointment of Lisa Berkner to the vacant Council Seat "A". With Reinke seconding the motion and with all members voting in favor, said motion carried.

Council was updated on a DNR grant application for improvements at Riverside Park and along the Minnesota River.

It was announced that the City Office bid deadline was 12/27/00 at 2:00 p.m. and that bids would be opened at that time and said bids would be forwarded to architect for consideration and recommendations for council.

Council was asked if the adopted 2001 sewer and water rates should be published and it was agreed to publish said rates as soon as possible.

At 8:45 Ellingson moved and Reinke seconded and the motion passed unanimously to enter executive session for personnel performance review. At 9:20 Mayor Ellingson closed the executive session and the meeting resumed. No further action was taken and Ellingson announced employee pay increases would follow previously approved policy.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Dinnel moved and Dorry seconded and the motion passed unanimously adjourning the December 18, 2000 meeting of the Ortonville City Council at 9:20 p.m.

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Roman C. Taffe, City Clerk-Administrator