Mayor David Ellingson called the regular meeting of the Ortonville City Council to order at 7:10 p.m. Roll call was taken and the following were present: Lisa Berkner, Mike Dorry, Mary Gustafson, Dave Dinnel, Mel Reinke, Dan Oakes, and the following were absent: none.

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

Media Present: Ryan Stattelman.

Others Present: Mel Ehlert, Dalen Roe, Mary Ann Ulrich, Bill Watson, Lenore Sellin, Joan Julius, Barbara Voecks.

Recognitions:

6.c Barb Voecks, TNT project

Unfinished Business:

12.a Lodging Tax

12.b Extra Council packets

12.c Strege relocation expenses

New Business:

13.d Chamber of Commerce electrical deregulation

13.e Midcontinent cable letter

13.f Council travel insurance

Ellingson reviewed two quotes received for playground equipment to be located at the swimming pool property. Quotes received were: Maxwell Digs Const. $26,641.75; Gametime $24,433.17. Gustafson moved and Oakes seconded and the motion passed unanimously referring the playground equipment quotes to the Park Board for review and recommendations.

Joan Julius, Ambulance Director, discussed her upcoming retirement and the need to advertise for her replacement. Gustafson moved and Reinke seconded and the motion passed unanimously directing the Ambulance Committee to work with the Clerk-Administrator to review and recommend changes to the Ambulance Director job description.

Bill Watson asked the council to consider amending the City’s zoning ordinance to allow residential houses to be built in the light industrial zones (I1). Reinke moved and Oakes seconded and the motion passed unanimously referring the rezoning request to allow residential construction in light industrial zone to the Planning Commission for consideration.

Next Watson discussed the Marina property along 1^st Street and asked if the City would consider selling land along Washington Avenue and 1^st Street. Ellingson moved and Reinke seconded and the motion passed unanimously referring the matter to the Park Board and the Utility Board.

Barb Voecks updated council on the TNT project and asked for a letter of support from the council for a distance learning project to be located at the library. Oakes moved and Reinke seconded and the motion passed unanimously referring the request to the Library Board for consideration and recommendation.

At 7:54 Mayor Ellingson asked if there were any additions, corrections, or deletions to be made to the Consent Agenda. Motion was made by Council member Dinnel, and seconded by Council member Reinke to approve the Consent Agenda (excepting therefrom agenda items: 15. Approve Bills) which included the following items:

9: Motion approving proposed Council minutes (2/20/01 meeting).

10 – 11: Motion approving minutes and recommendations of Boards, Committees, & Commissions (EDA 2/22/01 minutes, Accept resignation of Pam Jacobsen from Library Board, Safety Committee 2/22/01 minutes, Senior Center Board 2/12/01 minutes, Golf Board 2/27/01 minutes).

13.a: Motion approving Pheasants Forever raffle permit.

With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Oakes moved, Dinnel seconded that a resolution be adopted Hiring Golf Clubhouse Project Manager (RES 01-025). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Ellingson reviewed several items discussed at the Utility Committee meeting. Dinnel moved and Reinke seconded that a resolution be adopted Requesting DTED Grant Funds (RES 01-026). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Oakes moved and Ellingson seconded that a resolution be adopted Hiring First Street Project Surveyors (RES 01-027). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Reinke moved and Berkner seconded and the motion passed 6-1, with Dorry voting against, instructing the Clerk-Administrator to prepare and send letters to affect the connection of residents and businesses with properties abutting City water mains and that said letter shall be dated and sent April 15^th.

Council discussed the lodging tax and no action was taken.

Council discussed a citizen request that additional complete meeting packets be prepared for the general public to take home to review. Reinke moved and Dorry seconded and the motion failed 3-4 with Reinke, Dorry, Gustafson voting for and Ellingson, Dinnel, Oakes, Berkner voting against, to provide 2 additional meeting packets for the public to take from the City office.

Oakes, moved and Dinnel seconded and the motion passed 6-1 with Reinke voting against, directing staff to prepare two complete meeting packets for public review to be kept in the city office.

Next, Reinke passed on a request from Strege Auto Parts that the City submit for reimbursement for relocations costs previously submitted by Strege. Staff was instructed to recap the costs of the project to date and City Attorney was directed provide a legal opinion on the matter.

Council discussed the applications for liquor licenses for the Golf Clubhouse. Ellingson moved and Dinnel seconded and the motion passed unanimously referring the matter to the Golf Board for consideration and recommendation.

Dinnel moved and Reinke that a resolution be adopted Hiring Peninsula Utility Project Engineer (RES 01-028). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

Ellingson asked council members to attend the upcoming Chamber of Commerce meeting to voice their concerns about legislation supported by the Chamber promoting electrical deregulation.

Ellingson read a letter from Midcontinent cable regarding programming changes.

Gustafson questioned whether the city should continue to pay for travel insurance for council members. City Attorney will review the policy and report back to council.

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

There being no further business to come before the Council, Reinke moved and Oakes seconded and the motion passed unanimously adjourning the March 5, 2001 meeting of the Ortonville City Council at 9:22 p.m.

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Roman C. Taffe, City Clerk-Administrator