President Pro Tem Dan Oakes called the regular meeting of the Ortonville City Council to order at 7:00 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: David Ellingson. City Staff Present: Roman Taffe, Gary Dinnel, Paul Tinklenberg, David McLaughlin, Roger Anderson. Media Present: Ryan Stattelman, Julie Gruber. Others Present: Mel Ehlert, Mary Ann Ulrich, Ivy Sealey, Lenore Sellin, Jim Larson, Ron Athey, Randy McLain, Scott Simonitch, Jim Kaercher, Jim Schulz, Mark Hughes, Tom Oakes.

Oakes opened bids received for equipment and materials needed on the 1^st Street utility project. Oakes moved and Berkner seconded and the motion passed unanimously referring the matter to the Utility Committee for review.

Oakes reviewed quotes received for the golf clubhouse lower level bathroom remodeling project. Quotes received were from Scoblic Construction $18,025.00, and Dallas I. Hanson Construction $12,900.00. Oakes moved and Dinnel seconded that a resolution be adopted Awarding Clubhouse Bathroom Remodeling Project Quote (RES 01-031). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Mark Hughes asked for the side streets along Main Street be designated as two-hour parking zones. Gustafson moved and Reinke seconded and the motion passed unanimously designating the area between 1^st Street and 3^rd Street on Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Jackson Avenues as two-hour parking zones and further that signage indicating same shall be installed.

Jim Schulz, Larson-Peterson & Associates, Inc. updated Council on the Hwy 7 project and the Peninsula sewer project and Council confirmed that they had directed Larson-Peterson to prepare plans and specifications for the Peninsula project. Schulz was also directed to provide written explanation for Hwy 7 project change order #2.

Ron Athey, Fire Department Chief, asked Council to approve hiring of two new fire fighters. Gustafson moved and Dorry seconded that a resolution be adopted Hiring Fire Department Personnel (RES 01-032). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Next Athey asked Council to approve a grant request for fire department safety equipment. Oakes moved and Gustafson seconded that a resolution be adopted Approving Fire Department Grant Application (RES 01-033). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Next Athey presented drawings of proposed building improvements at the Fire Hall. No action was taken.

James A. Larson addressed the Council regarding his plans to purchase and renovate rental housing units in the city and he asked for a resolution supporting his efforts. Reinke moved and Gustafson seconded that a resolution be adopted Supporting Rental Property Redevelopment (RES 01-034). With Dorry, Gustafson, Reinke, Dinnel, Berkner, voting in favor, and Oakes abstaining, the motion carried.

Lenore Sellin mentioned that snow had been piled up behind Eppel’s Antique store and the owners could no longer park in their usual spot. Roger Anderson stated he would look into the matter.

At 7:54 Chair Oakes 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 Dinnel to approve the Consent Agenda (excepting therefrom agenda items: 10.h Approve EDA minutes, 10.b Approve Water Board minutes, 10.f Approve Golf Board minutes, 15. Approve Bills) which included the following items:

9: Motion approving proposed Council minutes (3/5/01, 3/9/01 meetings).

10 – 11: Motion approving minutes and recommendations of Boards, Committees, & Commissions (Planning Commission 3/13/01 minutes, Health Care Board 2/27/01 minutes, Senior Golf Tournament as recommended, Utility Committee 3/5/01 minutes).

With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Council discussed the Water Board’s recommendations for revisions to the water agreement between Big Stone City and Ortonville. City Attorney will make agreement revisions per resolution 00-163 and per Water Board recommendations.

Next Council discussed the recommendations of the Planning Commission to revise the fee schedule for building permits. Dorry moved that the UBC 1998 fee schedule be adopted and the matter died for lack of a second to said motion. Reinke moved to refer the commercial fee structure to the Planning Commission for further review and the matter died for lack of a second to said motion. Dinnel moved and Oakes seconded and the motion passed unanimously tabling the building permit fee discussion and directing the Planning Commission to present findings in support of their proposal.

Gustafson moved and Reinke seconded and the motion passed unanimously approving the Golf Board 2/6/01 minutes as presented.

Dinnel moved and Reinke seconded and the motion passed unanimously approving the EDA 3/13/01 minutes as presented.

Next discussed the Ambulance Board’s recommendation to increase the monthly account management payment. Dinnel moved and Reinke seconded that a resolution be adopted Approving Ambulance Service Account Management Payment (RES 01-035). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Council member and EDA President Dinnel next updated the Council on discussion the EDA has had with the Pamida store chain regarding store expansion plans in Ortonville. Consensus of the Council appeared in support of the idea and no action was taken.

Council discussed the past due utility bill for the Hilltop Café and the owners’ request for a 24 month period to repay the past due amounts. Oakes moved and Gustafson seconded and the motion passed 5-1, with Berkner voting against, allowing Hilltop Café 24 months to repay the past due water and sewer charges of approximately $7,500.00 and further directing City Attorney to draft an agreement outlining said terms.

Dinnel moved and Gustafson seconded and the motion passed unanimously approving the 1998 Underground Utility and Street Project certificate of substantial completion.

Dinnel moved and Dorry seconded that a resolution be adopted Approving Airport Agreement (RES 01-036). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Council discussed Hwy 7 Project proposed change order #2 and no action was taken thereon.

Reinke moved and Berkner seconded and the motion passed unanimously denying the request for Golf Memberships to Gene O’Neill.

Council discussed the annual renewal of liability insurance for the City and whether to waive the statutory limits on claims and whether to purchase no-fault sewer back up coverage. Oakes moved and Gustafson seconded and the motion passed unanimously to not purchase no-fault sewer back up coverage. Oakes moved and Reinke seconded and the motion passed unanimously to not waive the statutory limits for claim coverage.

Council next discussed a proposal to purchase 25,000 sandbags to mitigate potential flooding problems. Oakes moved and Dorry seconded and the motion passed 4-2 with Reinke and Dorry voting against, to not purchase sandbags and to notify the County that the Council supports the purchase of sandbags and the County is the proper entity to purchase those sandbags.

Letters from various business owners in protest of proposed improvements to Riverside Park were reviewed. Consensus of Council was that a letter should be written stating that although the complaints of Resort owners were appreciated, the park has been in operation for numerous decades and the proposed improvements were to better serve campers but would not increase the number of campers allowed on that site and that the Council still felt the grant application for those improvements was necessary.

Oakes moved and Dorry seconded that a Riverside Park Improvement Local Government Resolution (RES 01-037) be adopted. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Next the proposed hospital expansion project was discussed. Dinnel moved and Reinke seconded that a resolution be adopted Authorizing Financial Consultant (RES 01-038). With Dorry, Reinke, Oakes, Berkner, Dinnel voting in favor, and Gustafson abstaining, the motion carried.

Oakes moved and Dinnel seconded that a resolution be adopted Approving Hospital Plans and Authorizing Advertising For Bids (RES 01-039). With Dorry, Reinke, Oakes, Berkner, Dinnel voting in favor, and Gustafson abstaining, the motion carried.

Dinnel moved and Oakes seconded that a resolution be adopted Endorsing OFC of Ortonville, NC Gambling Application (RES 01-040). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Council discussed proposed change orders for the Golf clubhouse project and no action was taken.

Motion was made by Dinnel and seconded by Oakes approving disbursements as presented and said motion passed unanimously.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Dinnel moved that the meeting be adjourned and with no objections thereto, the March 19, 2001 meeting of the Ortonville City Council stood adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

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Roman C. Taffe, City Clerk-Administrator