MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

OF THE ORTONVILLE CITY COUNCIL

COUNTY OF BIG STONE, STATE OF MINNESOTA

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2005 7:00 P.M.

CITY OFFICE

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL:

Mayor Dinnel called the regular meeting of the Ortonville City Council to order at 7:00 P.M. Roll call was taken with the following being present: Mel Reinke, Mike Dorry, Lenore Sellin, Artie Arndt, Dan Oakes with the following absent: Lisa Berkner. City Staff Present: Char Grossman, Tim Scherer. Others present: Bob Meyer, Nick Anderson, Bob Schlieman, Todd Verheul, Sara Verheul. Media present: Holly Hilbrands, Mike Swenson.

AGENDA AMENDMENTS:

A motion was offered by Reinke and seconded by Sellin and did pass unanimously to approve the agenda as presented.

RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS/INTRODUCTIONS:

Bob Schlieman, Ulteig Engineers, updated the council with the results of the Rita Road bid opening. The following three bids were received: Commerford Gravel Inc. - $217,412.80, Riley Bros. Construction Inc. - $256,272.35 and Ronglien Excavating Inc. - $218,724.95. The recommendation of Ulteig Engineers is to either hold another hearing since the total costs of the project will be approximately 20% higher than the first estimates, or at the least send letters to property owners explaining the increase assessment costs of the project.

Motion was made by Dorry and seconded by Dinnel to hold a public hearing on the Rita Road project. Motion failed 2-3-1 – Dinnel, Arndt, Sellin voted no; Oakes - abstained.

Arndt moved and Sellin seconded that the following resolution be adopted:

RESOLUTION 05-130

RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE RITA ROAD PROJECT BID FROM COMMERFORD GRAVEL

WHEREAS, bids have previously been requested for the 2006 Street & Utility Improvements – Rita Road, and

WHEREAS, bids have now been received and reviewed as follows: Commerford Gravel Inc. - $217,412.80, Riley Bros. Construction Inc. - $256,272.35 and Ronglien Excavating Inc. - $218,724.95, and

WHEREAS, the bid of Commerford Gravel Inc. in the amount of $217,412.80 has been determined by the engineers to be the lowest responsible bid for the Project.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council that:

1. The bid of Commerford Gravel Inc. is hereby accepted.

2. Letters will be sent to property owners reflecting the increased assessment costs.

3. That the Mayor and Clerk-Administrator be and are hereby authorized to execute the necessary agreement.

Upon roll call vote the following voted aye: Sellin, Arndt, Dinnel and the following voted nay: Dorry, Reinke; abstained: Oakes.

Resolution 05-130 passed this 19^th day of December 2005.

APPROVED:

_______________________

David Dinnel

Mayor

ATTEST:

______________________________

Charleen K. Grossman

City Clerk/Administrator

CONSENT AGENDA:

Dinnel asked if there were any additions, corrections, or deletions to be made to the Consent Agenda. Motion was made by Dorry and seconded by Sellin, to approve the Consent Agenda which included the following items:

9.a Motion approving proposed regular council minutes of November 21, 2005.

9.b Motion approving proposed special council minutes of December 7, 2005.

13.a Motion approving mileage reimbursement of 44.5 cents as of 1-1-06.

13.b Dorry moved and Sellin seconded that the following resolution be adopted:

RESOLUTION 05-131

RESOLUTION APPROVING ELECTION EQUIPMENT PLAN

WHEREAS, the Federal Government passed the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) to provide for equality and uniformity in the elective process; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Government has provided funding to each state to comply with the Help America Vote Act for the purchase and maintenance of electronic voting equipment; and

WHEREAS, City of Ortonville, has participated in and supported the creation of an “Election Equipment Plan” for Big Stone County.

NOW THERERFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that City of Ortonville accepts the “Election Equipment Plan” and recommends its adoption by the Big Stone County Board of Commissioners.

Upon roll call vote the following voted aye: Oakes, Sellin, Reinke, Arndt, Dinnel, Dorry and the following voted nay: none.

Resolution 05-131 passed this 19^th day of December 2005.

APPROVED:

____________________

David Dinnel

Mayor

ATTEST:

_____________________

Charleen K. Grossman

City Clerk-Administrator

13.c Dorry moved and Sellin seconded that the following resolution be adopted:

RESOLUTION 05-132

RESOLUTION APPROVING COLLECTION AGENCY ACCOUNTS

BE IT AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the unpaid bills as listed on file in the Office of the City Clerk/Administrator be sent to the collection agency.

Upon roll call vote the following voted aye: Reinke, Sellin, Arndt, Dinnel, Oakes, Dorry and the following voted nay: none.

Resolution 05-132 passed this 19^th day of December 2005.

APPROVED:

____________________

David Dinnel

Mayor

ATTEST:

_____________________

Charleen K. Grossman

City Clerk-Administrator

15. Motion approving payment of bills as presented.

With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF CITIZEN BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS:

After reviewing the quotes for the swimming pool project, the City Attorney and the park board are recommending bidding for a swimming pool liner. Reinke moved and Sellin seconded and the motion passed unanimously to advertise to accept bids for a swimming pool liner.

The airport board is recommending the renewal of the Airport Maintenance Contract. After discussion, the contract was referred back to the airport board to eliminate the compensation for gas purchases. Since the State of Minnesota pays 2/3 of the maintenance costs at the airport, the airport board will come up with a monthly compensation that includes the gas sales compensation.

Reinke moved and Sellin seconded that the following resolution be adopted:

RESOLUTION 05-133

RESOLUTION HIRING AMBULANCE DIRECTOR/ACCOUNT MANAGER

BE IT AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Ortonville, Minnesota hereby approves the recommendation of the Ambulance Board and the Personnel Committee that Tom Scoblic be hired by the City as Ambulance Director/Account Manager and that said employment is hereby approved as follows:

1. Employment date is January 1, 2006

2. Annual Salary of $8,309.40

Upon roll call vote the following voted aye: Sellin, Arndt, Dinnel, Dorry, Reinke, Oakes and the following voted nay: none.

Resolution 05-133 passed this 19^th day of December 2005.

APPROVED:

____________________

David Dinnel

Mayor

ATTEST:

_____________________

Charleen K. Grossman

City Clerk-Administrator

REPORTS FROM COUNCIL COMMITTEES:

The Street Committee is recommending a public hearing to hear support for the construction and location of a dirt bike track. After discussion, the request was referred to the Park Board for further deliberation and recommendations. Will contact insurance agent concerning the liability of constructing a tract.

NEW BUSINESS:

A letter has been received from the Big Stone County Auditor along with a list of forfeited properties due to non-payment of property taxes. Parcel 22-0663-000 – Lot 3 (Ex RY), Block 2, States Addition is property that the City has been waiting to acquire due to the poor condition of the property. A motion was offered by Arndt and seconded by Sellin and did pass unanimously to complete the “Application by a Governmental Subdivision for Conveyance of Tax-Forfeited Lands” for Parcel 22-0663-000.

Oakes moved and Reinke seconded that the following resolution be adopted:

RESOLUTION 05-134

ELECTED OFFICIAL OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL POLICY

Purpose: The City of Ortonville recognizes that its elected official may at times receive value from traveling out of the state for workshops, conferences, events and other assignments. This policy sets forth the conditions under which out-of-state travel will be reimbursed by the City.

General Guidelines:

1. The event, workshop, conference or assignment must be approved in advance by the City Council at an open meeting and must include an estimate of the cost of the travel. In evaluating the out-of-state travel request, the Council will consider the following:

· Whether the elected official will be receiving training on issues relevant to the city or to his or her role as the Mayor or as a council member;

· Whether the elected official will be meeting and networking with other elected officials from around the country to exchange ideas on topics of relevance to the City or on the official roles of local elected officials.

· Whether the elected official will be viewing a city facility or function that is similar in nature to one that is currently operating at, or under consideration by the City where the purpose for the trip is to study the facility or function to bring back ideas for the consideration of the full council.

· Whether the elected official has been specifically assigned by the Council to testify on behalf of the city at the United States Congress or to otherwise meet with federal officials on behalf of the city.

· Whether the city has sufficient funding available in the budget to pay the cost of the trip.

1. No reimbursements will be made for attendance at events sponsored by or affiliated with political parties.

2. The city may make payments in advance for airfare, lodging and registration if specifically approved by the council. Otherwise all payments will be made as reimbursements to the elected official.

3. The City will reimburse for transportation, lodging, meals, registration, and incidental costs using the same procedures, limitations and guidelines outlined in the city’s policy for out-of-state travel by city employees.

Upon roll call vote the following voted aye: Sellin, Arndt, Dinnel, Dorry, Reinke, Oakes and the following voted nay: none.

Resolution 05-134 passed this 19^th day of December 2005.

APPROVED:

____________________

David Dinnel

Mayor

ATTEST:

_____________________

Charleen K. Grossman

City Clerk-Administrator

A motion was offered by Dorry and seconded by Arndt and did pass unanimously to schedule the January 2^nd and 16^th regular city council meetings to January 9^th and 23^rddue to the New Years Day and Martin Luther King holidays.

Council Member Oakes left the meeting at 7:50 P.M.

CLERK/ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS:

Reported on the following topics:

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Wastewater Treatment Facility Survey

Snow removal from sidewalks

AMR update

Electrical Rate Study

Pioneerland Library Meeting on December 15^th

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

At 7:52 Mayor Dinnel announced that the council would be entering executive session according to Minnesota Stature 13D.05 Subd. 3 for the purpose of the City Clerk/Administrator job performance review.

At 8:04 Mayor Dinnel declared the executive session ended and reopened the regular meeting to the public. Mayor Dinnel reported that the City Clerk/Administrator’s review was satisfactory.

ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further business to come before the Council, Sellin moved and Arndt seconded and the motion passed unanimously for the adjournment of the meeting and with no objections thereto, Dinnel adjourned the December 19, 2005 meeting of the Ortonville City Council at 8:05 P.M.

_________________________________

Charleen K. Grossman, City Clerk-Administrator