ORTONVILLE CITY COUNCIL
COUNTY OF BIG STONE, STATE OF MINNESOTA
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
DIALYSYS BUILDING-435 EASTVOLD AVENUE
MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2007
7:00 P.M.
CALL TO
ORDER AND ROLL CALL:
Mayor Blair
Johnson called the regular meeting of the Ortonville City Council to order
at 7: 00 P.M. Roll call was taken with the following present: Mayor Blair
Johnson, Mike Dorry, Dan Oakes, John Cunningham, Artie Arndt, and Bob
Meyer. Absent: Nick Anderson. Staff present: City Administrator David
Lang, Administrative Assistant Susan Lundell, Police Chief Curt Hormann,
City Attorney Craig Ash, Golf Course Manager Travis Strasser, EDA Board
Member Burton Nypen, Fire Chief Randy McLean, and Fire Department Membrs
Steve Barr and Ron Athey. Also present: Preservation Commission Chair,
Craig Randleman, DNR Representative Brad Olson, DSI Services Paul Olson.
Media present: Mike Swenson, (Ortonville Independent) and Julie
French, (KDIO Radio), and other interested citizens.
AGENDA
AMENDMENTS/APPROVAL:
Item
12.a. moved to Iem 6.b. Paul Olson DSI
Motion
by Arndt, second by Cunningham to approve the
Agenda as amended.
All in
favor. 6-0. MCU (Motion Carried Unanimously)
CITY
ATTORNEY REPORTS& RECOMMENDATIONS:
3.a.
Update: Ortonville Property Partners Letter of Credit
City
Attorney Craig Ash reported that the law firm of Briggs & Morgan advised
the City to get more information to them regarding the proposed goals and
structure of the proposal. They advised the City to get a $10,000 deposit
of good faith from the developer to offset the City’s up-front costs for
groundwork for the assistance. This matter was tabled pending the
gathering of more information from the League of MN Cities and Briggs &
Morgan.
RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS/INTRODUCTIONS:
6.a.
Presentation: Wild Turkey Hunt Permission Request-Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources. Brad Olson of the MN DNR
reported approximately 50 turkeys have congregated near the archery
shooting range and have become a nuisance to a local homeowner. He
requested 4 local civilian sharpshooters be given permits to dispose of
the birds. Olson reported they have considered several options to get rid
of the birds from the area, but he felt since the birds have seemed to
become somewhat domesticated there are limited options other than
disposing of them.
Motion
by Oakes, second by Meyer to approve the
issuance of hunting permits to 4 local sharpshooters as appointed by the
DNR to shoot the turkeys in the area mentioned.
All in
favor. 6-0. MCU.
6.b.
Paul Olson of DSI Services. Olson reported the
City’s pre-application to the Minnesota Department of Employment and
Economic Development (DEED) for the Small Cities Development Grant Program
has been approved and the City has been invited to submit a final grant
application. The scope of the project has been reduced by DEED as follows:
Owner Occupied Houses reduced from 20 houses to 15 houses and Commercial
Buildings from 17 buildings to 12 buildings. Olson stated the grant amount
would be reduced accordingly and estimated the award would be
approximately $600,000. Money coming in from the project could be used by
the City as revolving loan fund money for further economic development.
Olson outlined the tasks to be completed by the City before the final
application deadline of January 31, 2008.
Ortonville
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 3, 2007
Page 2 of 6
Resolution 07-130, Resolution Approving Final Application to Minnesota
Department of Employment and Economic Development for the Small Cities
Development Grant Program.
Motion
by Arndt, second by Cunningham to approve
Resolution 07-130, Resolution Approving Final Application to Minnesota
Department of Employment and Economic Development for the Small Cities
Development Grant Program.
Roll
Call: Aye: Arndt, Oakes, Cunningham, Johnson, Dorry, Meyer. Nay: None.
6-0. MCU.
CITIZENS
TO BE HEARD:
There were
no comments this evening.
CONSENT
AGENDA:
Motion
by Oakes, second by Cunningham to approve the
Consent Agenda, which included the following items:
8.a.
Approve Expenditures
8.b.
Approve Minutes of November 9, 2007 City Council Canvass Board Meeting
8.c.
Approve Minutes of November 19, 2007 City Council Regular Meeting
8.d.
Approve Prairie Five 2008 Meal Site Contract
All in
favor. 6-0. MCU
RECOMMENDATIONS OF CITIZEN BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS:
9.a.
Fire Department Relief Association Retirement Increase.
Steve Barr of the Ortonville Fire Department Relief Association reported
the fund would support a raise from $800/year of service to $1,000/year of
service.
Resolution 07-131, Resolution Approving Increase in Fire Department Relief
Association Retirement Benefit Per Year of Service from $800 to $1,000
commencing January 1, 2008.
Motion
by Johnson, second by Cunningham to approve
Resolution 07-131 , Resolution Approving Increase in Fire Department
Relief Association Retirement Benefit Per year of Service from $800 to
$1,000 Commencing January 1, 2008.
Roll
Call: Aye: Johnson, Cunningham, Arndt, Oakes, Dorry, Meyer. Nay: None.
6-0. MCU.
9.b.
Ortonville Community Center Board Recommendation: Approve Revised
Community Center Rental Policy for 2008.
Resolution 07-132, Resolution Approving Revised Rental Policy for the
Ortonville Community Center-2008.
Motion
by Meyer, second by Dorry to adopt Resolution
07-132, Resolution Approving Revised Rental Policy for the Ortonville
Community Center-2008. It was noted that rental rates will be up
slightly and deposit requirements will change.
Roll
Call: Aye: Cunningham, Dorry, Johnson, Meyer, Arndt and Oakes. Nay:
None.
6-0. MCU.
9.c.
Golf Board Recommendation: Approve Installation of “Y” Connectors and
Check Valves in the Irrigation System-$3,500.
Resolution 07-133, Resolution Approving Installation of “Y” Connectors and
Check Valves in the Irrigation System at the Golf Course-$3,500.
Ortonville
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 3, 2007
Page 3 of 6
RECOMMENDATIONS OF CITIZEN BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS: (cont.)
Motion
by Arndt, second by Cunningham to Approve
Resolution 07-133, Resolution Approving Installation of “Y” Connectors and
Check Valves in the Irrigation System at the Golf Course-$3,500.
Roll
Call: Aye: Arndt, Oakes, Cunningham, Johnson, Dorry, Meyer. Nay: None.
6-0. MCU
9d. Golf
Board Recommendation: Purchase New Utility Cart and Newer Golf
Carts-$18,674.
Resolution 07-134, Resolution Approving Purchase of New Utility Cart and
Newer Golf Carts-$18,674.
Motion
by Oakes, second by Meyer to approve
Resolution 07-134, Resolution Approving Purchase of New Utility Cart and
Newer Golf Carts-$18,674.
Roll
Call: Aye: Arndt, Oakes, Cunningham, Johnson, Dorry, Meyer. Nay: None.
6-0. MCU.
9e. Golf
Board Recommendation: Sell lots owned by the Golf Course.
Motion
by Oakes, second by Cunningham to authorize
the City Attorney to prepare a proposal for sealed bids for the sale of
the lots owned by the Golf Course with the contingency that the buyer
build within 2 years of purchase or the City has the right to buy the
property back. The City retains the right to reject any and all bids.
6-0. MCU.
9.f.
Golf Board Recommendation: Raise Membership Fees by $20 each except Youth
Memberships.
Resolution 07-135, Resolution Approving Golf Course Membership Fee
Increase of $40 to each Fee for Regular, Discount, New Member Discount,
Family Discount Memberships and excluding Youth Memberships.
Motion
by Cunningham, second by Oakes to approve
Resolution 07-135, Resolution Approving Golf Course Membership Fee
Increase of $40 to each Fee for Regular, Discount, New Member Discount,
Family Discount Memberships and Excluding Youth Memberships.
Roll
Call: Aye: Oakes, Cunningham, Johnson, Dorry, Meyer. Nay: Arndt.
5-1.
Motion Carried.
9g. EDA
Board Recommendation: Appoint City Administrator David Lang as EDA
Executive Director. Cunningham reported that
the EDA made a unanimous motion to name Lang as the Executive Director of
the EDA to facilitate centralized coordination of EDA functions. The EDA
would pay a portion of the salary. The consultant will review the job
descriptions for the revised position.
Motion
by Arndt, second by Cunningham, to proceed
with the step by step process in naming the clerk-administrator to both
positions.
Roll
Call: Aye: Oakes, Cunningham, Johnson, Meyer, Arndt. Nay: Dorry.
5-1. MC.
REPORTS
FROM COUNCIL COMMITTEES:
10.a. MN Housing Partnership
Economic Development Task Force – Mayor Blair
Johnson
Johnson noted the 90-day “check-in”
meeting is scheduled for December 5th at 12:00 noon at the
Library.
10.b. Utility Committee – MRES
“Super Conservation Improvement Program” Regional Meeting.
By 2010, actual energy savings will
have to be recorded; thus requiring more staff time.
10.c. MRES Transmission Service
Agreement – Nick Anderson
Transmission costs will be equalized
across the Missouri River Energy Services service area. As a result,
transmission costs will rise in 2008.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
11.a. Second Reading: Ordinance
2007-08 An Ordinance Amending the Charter of the City of Ortonville
Motion by Dorry, second by Meyer
to approve second reading of Ordinance 2007-08 An
Ordinance Amending the Charter of the City of Ortonville.
Roll Call: Aye: Arndt, Oakes,
Cunningham, Johnson, Dorry, Meyer. Nay: None.
6-0. MCU.
Ortonville
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 3, 2007
Page 4 of 6
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: (cont.)
11.b.
Refer Foot of the Lake Signage Recommendation from Park Board to
Amenities/Promotions Workgroup. Consensus: Have
the two groups work together. Refer to Park Board.
11.c.
Refer Park Board Discussion Regarding Eahtonka II Storage to City Attorney
by Consensus.
Discussion questions followed. By consensus, the Council referred this
matter to the City Attorney.
NEW BUSINESS:
12.b. Approve Certified Local
Government Agreement With Minnesota Historical
Society. Burt Nypen of the Heritage Preservation Commission stated
that much of the downtown district is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. The Certified Local Government Program opens
up the opportunity for federal grant dollars. Discussed the Certified
Local Government Program.
Resolution 07-136, Approving the
Certified Local Government Agreement With the Minnesota Historical
Society.
Motion by Arndt, second by
Cunningham to adopt Resolution 07-136,
Approving the Certified Local Government Agreement With the Minnesota
Historical Society.
Roll Call: Aye: Arndt, Oakes,
Cunningham, Johnson, Dorry, Meyer. Nay: None.
6-0. MCU.
12.c. Approve Acceptance Of A
Traffic Safety Award
Resolution 07-137, Approving the
Acceptance Of A Traffic Safety Award-$3,000. Police Chief Hormann reported
that the Police Department received a $3,000 grant for enforcement or
equipment.
Motion by Dorry, second by Meyer
to adopt Resolution 07-137, Approving the
Acceptance Of A Traffic Safety Award-$3,000.
Roll Call: Aye: Arndt, Oakes,
Cunningham, Johnson, Dorry, Meyer. Nay: None.
6-0. MCU.
12.d.
Southwest MN Initiative Foundation 2008 Budget Request
Clerk-Administrator Lang was asked to get information on the donation
amount paid last year.
Motion
by Cunningham, second by Dorry to table until next meeting.
6-0.
MCU.
12.e. Approve Coalition of Greater
MN Cities 2008 Membership Request - $797.
Resolution 07-138,Approving
Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities 2008 Membership Request-$797.
Motion by Cunningham, second by
Johnson adopt Resolution 07-138, Approving
Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities 2008 Membership Request-$797.
Roll Call: Aye: Arndt, Oakes,
Cunningham, Johnson, Dorry, Meyer. Nay: None.
6-0. MCU.
12.f. Community Resource Sharing
Partnership Advisory Committee Appointments
Motion by Arndt, second by
Cunningham to appoint Clerk-Administrator
Lang and Mayor Johnson to the Community Resource Sharing Partnership
Advisory Committee.
6-0. MCU.
12.g. Approve Evaluation Results
for City Administrator and Salary Step Increase
Resolution 07-139, Approving
Evaluation Results for City Clerk-Administrator and Approval of Salary
Step Increase to Step #8.
Motion by Johnson, second by Arndt
to adopt Resolution 07-139, Resolution
Approving Evaluation Results for City Clerk-Administrator and Approval of
Salary Step Increase to Step #8.
Evaluation Results are included in the
packet summarized by Mayor Johnson.
Roll Call: Aye: Arndt, Oakes,
Cunningham, Johnson, Dorry, Meyer. Nay: None.
6-0. MCU.
Ortonville
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 3, 2007
Page 5 of 6
NEW BUSINESS: (cont.)
12.h. Approve City
Clerk-Administrator Employment Agreement
Resolution 07-140, Approving
Employment Agreement
with City Clerk-Administrator David Lang.
Discussion was held regarding
residency requirements.
Motion by Johnson, second by
Cunningham to adopt Resolution 07-140,
Approving Employment Agreement with City Clerk-Administrator David Lang.
Roll Call: Aye: Arndt, Oakes,
Cunningham, Johnson, Dorry, Meyer.
6-0. MCU.
12.i.
Approve Selection of Option for Provision of Law Enforcement
Services-Option 2
Resolution 07-141, Approving the Selection of Option for Provision of Law
Enforcement Services-Option 2
Option 2
provides for the reduction of the number of police officers from 4
full-time to 3 full-time and will decrease the police secretarial hours
from 24 hours per week to 8 hours per week. The proposed budget reflects
the reductions to the police budget. Oakes stated teven with these cuts
the City still spends twice what other towns spend per capita on police.
Dorry asked why cut $45,000 from police and give $35,000 to the golf
course. Discussion and questions followed. Future objectives should be a
combined facility with Big Stone County for better flow of information,
working relationships, and financial efficiency.
Motion by Oakes, second by
Cunningham to approve Resolution 07-141,
Resolution Approving the Selection of Option for Provision of Law
Enforcement Services-Option 2.
Roll Call: Aye: Arndt, Oakes,
Cunningham, Johnson. Nay: Dorry and Meyer.
4-2. MC.
12.j. Revise 2008 Budget
Note: after discussion regarding
reduction of the 2008 tax levy, discussion then turned to consideration of
the 2008 Budget.
Resolution 07-142, Approving the Reduction of the 2008 General Fund Budget
Transfer to the EDA From $63,640 to $58,640.
Motion
by Arndt, second by Oakes to approve
Resolution 07-142, Resolution Approving the Reduction of the 2008 General
Fund Budget Transfer to the EDA From $63,640 to $58,640.
Roll Call: Aye: Arndt, Dorry, Meyer
and Oakes, Cunningham, Johnson. Nay: Cunningham and Johnson.
4-2. Motion Carried.
12.k. Approve 2008 Budget
Resolution 07-143, Approving the 2008 Budget.
Motion
by Arndt, second by Oakes to approve
Resolution 07-143, Resolution Approving the 2008 Budget.
Roll Call: Aye: Arndt, Cunningham,
Johnson Meyer and Oakes. Nay: Dorry.
5-1. Motion Carried.
12.k. Approve 2008 Property Tax
Levy
Resolution 07-144, Approving the Final 2007 Tax Levy, Collectible in 2008.
Motion
by Arndt, second by Oakes to approve
Resolution 07-144, Resolution Approving the Final 2007 Tax Levy,
Collectible in 2008.
Roll Call: Aye: Arndt, Cunningham,
Dorry, Johnson Meyer and Oakes. Nay: None.
6-0. MCU.
Ortonville
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 3, 2007
Page 6 of 6
CITY
CLERK-ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS:
13.a. Update: City Office Remodel
Project
Progress is being made but the office
space will be reduced by 6 square feet. A firm completion date is not
available.
13.b. Update: Local Government Aid
(LGA) outlook 2008 & 2009
Outlook for an increase in Local
Government Aid (LGA) is not good.
13.c. Update: Minnesota State
Historical Society Grant – Library Front Steps - $5,000
The City has been awarded a $5,000
matching grant from the Minnesota State Historical Society to replace the
lower set of front steps at the library.
13.d. Update: Minnesota DEED “SEED”
Briefings Schedule
The next meeting is in Marshall on
December 11.
13.e.Update: Acquisition of 2007
Tax Forfeited Property From Big Stone County
The EDA will handle how to proceed
with these properties.
13.f. Update: Planning Commission
Blog Web Site
Discussion regarding the prevention of
inappropriate postings blog. The Planning Commission will determine a name
for the blog at its next meeting.
13.g. Airport Project
Application Deadline 05-01-2008
This will be discussed at the next
Regular Council meeting.
13.h. Update: Potential Refunding
of Existing Bonds 11-19-2007
Interest rates will have to decline
further before refunding of any existing bond issues becomes feasible.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Arndt, second by Oakes to
adjourn at 8:55 P. M.
All in favor. 6-0. MCU.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
__________________
______________________
Blair
Johnson
David A. Lang
Mayor
Clerk-Administrator
