Chair Pro Tem Lisa Berkner 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: Lisa Berkner, Mike Dorry, Mary Gustafson, Dave Dinnel, Mel Reinke, and the following were absent: Dan Oakes, David Ellingson.

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

Media Present: Julie Gruber, Sue Kaercher-Blake.

Others Present: Mel Ehlert, Dalen Roe, Carol Barrett, Mary Ann Ulrich, Howard Trussell, Joe Otte, Bob Krava, Terry Graumann, Bill Watson, Richard Post, Jim Gregory, Donna Gregory, Todd Verheul, Darrell McKinney, Norman Schultz.

Chair Berkner announced that she would prefer a more experienced Councilmember be selected Chair Pro Tem. Berkner moved and Dorry seconded and the motion failed upon the following voting in favor: Berkner, and the following voting against: Dinnel, Dorry, Reinke, Gustafson.

New Business:

13.i Airport roof project invoice approval

13.j Golf Clubhouse project changes

13.k Cable franchise agreement

At 7:06, and upon due public notice, Berkner opened the public hearing regarding the park improvements at the Riverside Park area. It was explained that the City had engaged the UMVRDC to assist in obtaining a grant from the DNR for certain portions of said project. After all present who wished to be heard had been heard; Berkner closed the hearing at 7:15.

McLaughlin discussed the proposed agreement with Pioneerland Library system for the administration of the Ortonville Library. Bill Watson, City representative to the Pioneerland board, also reviewed the agreement. Dorry moved and Gustafson seconded that a resolution be adopted Approving Pioneerland Library Agreement (RES 01-018). With Gustafson, Berkner, Reinke, Dorry, voting in favor and Dinnel voting against, the motion carried.

Norm Schultz, Anchor Motel, asked the council to direct the lodging tax collections to the Minnesota Dept. of Revenue instead of them being collected locally. A motion by Berkner, seconded by Reinke to have lodging tax receipts collected by the state department of revenue and said motion was later rescinded by Berkner and Reinke and Schultz was instructed to obtain support from all the motel owners prior to the next meeting. No further action was taken.

Wenck & Associates, Inc. engineers informed the council of their efforts with Ottertail Power to clean up the former power plant site near the foot of the lake. They asked for support from the city for a grant application to help in the cleanup of the site. Dinnel moved and Reinke seconded that a resolution be adopted Supporting Power Plant Site Cleanup Grant (RES 01-019). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Richard Post, Army National Guard, updated the council on attempts to replace the underground fuel tank at the armory.

Mona Strege and Beth Mueller asked the council to fund event insurance for the Cornfest fireworks event as they had last year. Gustafson moved and Berkner seconded that a resolution be adopted Approving Cornfest Fireworks Insurance Donation (RES 01-020). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

At 8:05 Julie Gruber, KMSD radio, offered an open invitation to any council members to attend the KMSD talk show on February 22^nd.

At 8:06 Berkner 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 Reinke to approve the Consent Agenda (excepting therefrom agenda items: 9b. Approval of proposed 2/8/01 Council minutes, 13a. Approval of Hwy 7 pay request #6, 15. Approve Bills) which included the following items:

10 – 11: Motion approving minutes and recommendations of Boards, Committees, & Commissions (OAHS Board 1/23/01 minutes, Airport Board 2/5/01minutes, Street Committee 2/15/01 minutes).

13.b: Motion approving Summer Recreation first ½ invoice $11,632.50.

13.d: Motion approving dilapidated house order.

13.f: Approve Hwy 75 watermain project invoice #0102ORT002 (RES 01-021).

With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Next Todd Verheul addressed the council regarding the Airport Board’s recommendations to alter the airport maintenance contract. Dinnel moved and Reinke seconded that a resolution be adopted Amending Airport Maintenance Contract (RES 01-022). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Next Council considered the Airport Board recommendation to pay Verheul to assist in obtaining improvement grant dollars. Verheul was instructed to meet with Dinnel on the matter.

Dorry moved and Reinke seconded and the motion passed unanimously to allow Verheul to provide additional work at the airport on a job-by-job basis provided the work is budgeted for and upon proper approval.

Council next discussed recommendations of the Street Committee. Reinke moved and Gustafson seconded and the motion passed unanimously approving the Snow Removal Policy as presented.

Dinnel moved and Reinke seconded that a resolution be adopted Approving Snow blower Purchase (RES 01-023). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Council discussed an invoice from the school for additional administrative fees related to the summer rec program. Dinnel moved and Reinke seconded and the motion passed unanimously to not pay for additional administrative invoice amounts.

Dinnel moved and Dorry seconded that a resolution be adopted Approving UMVRDC Comprehensive Plan Agreement (RES 01-014). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Dinnel moved and Reinke seconded that a resolution be adopted Approving Prairie Five Bus Transfer (RES 01-024). With Dinnel, Gustafson, Berkner, Reinke voting in favor, and Dorry voting against, the motion carried 5-1.

Council next discussed the Golf Clubhouse project and potential change orders needed. No action was taken on the matter.

City Attorney next informed the Council that the Cable Franchise agreement had been received and suggested that the City engage an attorney specializing in franchise agreements to assist in the review of said agreement. Consensus of Council was to support City Attorney’s recommendation.

Discussed a commercial water/sewer customer who had not read their water meter and now has a large bill. Dinnel moved and Reinke seconded and the motion passed unanimously to waive the utility shut-off for Hilltop Café for 2/22/01 and that the matter be referred to the Utility Committee for further consideration and recommendation.

Council was informed of progress in obtaining funds to repair the lift station and sewer line at the Peninsula.

Motion was made by Reinke and seconded by Gustafson approving disbursements as presented and said motion passed unanimously.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Dinnel moved for the adjournment of the February 20, 2001 meeting of the Ortonville City Council and without objection the meeting stood adjourned at 9:48 p.m.

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Roman C. Taffe, City Clerk-Administrator