ORTONVILLE CITY COUNCIL
COUNTY OF BIG STONE, STATE OF MINNESOTA
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
DIALYSYS BUILDING – 435 EASTVOLD AVENUE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 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 7:15 P.M. Roll call was taken with the following Present: Mayor Blair
Johnson, Artie Arndt, John Cunningham, Mike Dorry, Bob Meyer, Dan Oakes,
and Nick Anderson. City Staff Present: City Administrator David Lang,
Administrative Assistant, Susan Lundell, City Attorney Craig Ash, Police
Chief Curtis Hormann, Media Present: Mike Swenson and Suzette Kaercher
Blake (Ortonville Independent), Julie French (KDIO Radio)
Others Present: Heritage Preservation Commission Chair Craig Randleman,
OAHS Administrator Rick Ash, Marcy Stotesbery, Elsie Perrine, Jim Larson,
Jay Larson, Jim Loeschke, Vicki Oakes and other interested citizens.
AGENDA
AMENDMENTS/APPROVAL:
Add Item 11.d. Small Cities Development Grant
Add Item
11.e. Ortonville Law Enforcement Options
Motion
by Meyer, second by Cunningham to approve the
Agenda as amended.
All in
favor. 7-0. MCU (Motion
Carried Unanimously)
CITY
ATTORNEY REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS:
3.a.
Update: Water Contract With Big Stone City
Craig Ash
indicated that the Big Stone City Council is waiting for their Water
Board’s input.
3.b.
Update: Purchase Agreement to Acquire Real Property
From the Lundell Family
Attorney
Ash reported the closing on the Lundell property being sold to the City
would take place in early January 2008.
PUBLIC
HEARING:
5.a.
Amending The Charter Of The City of Ortonville
Mayor Johnson closed the regular
meeting and opened the Public Hearing at 7:17 P. M. The Council noted the
passage of this Ordinance will bring the current bill paying practices for
the Ortonville Area Health Services Organization into compliance. There
being no public comment on this matter, Mayor Johnson closed the Public
Hearing at 7:21 P. M.
Mayor Johnson called the regular
meeting to order at 7:21 P. M.
Motion
by Arndt, second by Dorry to approve the
first reading of Ordinance 07-008, Ordinance Amending The Charter Of the
City of Ortonville.
Roll
Call: Aye: Arndt, Oakes, Cunningham, Johnson, Dorry, Meyer, Anderson.
Nay: None.
All in
favor. 7-0. MCU.
Ortonville
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 19, 2007 Page
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RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS/INTRODUCTIONS:
6.a.
Stewart Wirth-Stewart Wirth Consulting presented an Analysis of Law
Enforcement Services Study to the City Council at a Workshop held at 6:00
P. M. today.
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:
a. *Approve Expenditures
b. *Approve Minutes of August 6,
2007 City Council Workshop Meeting
c. *Approve Minutes of August 6,
2007 City Council Regular Meeting
d. *Approve Minutes of August 15,
2007 City Council Capital Hearing Meeting
e. *Approve Minutes of August 20,
2007 City Council Workshop Meeting
f. *Approve Minutes of August 20,
2007 City Council Regular Meeting
g. * Approve Minutes of September
4, 2007 City Council Regular Meeting
h. * Approve Minutes of September
17, 2007 City Council Regular Meeting
i. *Approve Minutes of November
5, 2007 City Council Workshop Meeting
j. *Approve Minutes of November
5, City Council Regular Meeting
All in favor. 7-0. MCU.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM COUNCIL COMMITTEES:
9.a.
Ortonville Planning Commission Recommendation: Resolution Approving
Planning Commission Blog Site Proposal From Wigley and Associates -
$500.00.
Resolution 07-127, Resolution Approving Planning Commission Blog Site
Proposal From Wigley and Associates - $500.00
Motion
by Cunningham, second by Meyer to approve
Resolution 07-127, Resolution
Approving Planning Commission Blog Site Proposal From Wigley and
Associates - $500.00.
Roll
Call: Aye: Arndt, Cunningham, Dorry, Johnson, Meyer, Oakes and Anderson.
Nay: None.
All in
favor. 7-0. MCU.
REPORTS FROM COUNCIL COMMITTEES:
10.a. MN Housing Partnership
Economic Development Task Force – Mayor Blair Johnson reported meeting
with Shannon Guernsey of the MN Housing Partnership, as well as two Big
Stone County Commissioners and City Administrator Lang. He noted the
90-day action plan meeting is scheduled for December 5th. A
January Town Hall meeting is being planned.
10.b. Utility Committee – MRES
“Super Conservation Improvement Program” Regional Meeting The Utility
Committee will meet next week. The Committee will review incentives to
save electricity.
Ortonville
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 19, 2007 Page
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10.c. MRES Transmission Service
Agreement – Councilor Anderson reported an agreement is being
formulated modifying provisions for district wide charges for
transmission, lines and upkeep, thus leveling the costs to all MRES
customers.
10.d. Canvassing Board – 2007
General Election Results – Mayor Blair Johnson gave the tally results
for the City’s General Election held on November 6.
10.e. Minnesota Senate Capital
Improvement Committee Visit Council Member Arndt reported the meeting
went well with Senate members stating they were interested in helping to
fund park improvements at Lakeside Park.
10.f. Local Board of Appeal &
Equalization Training – John Cunningham reported he and future Council
Member Craig Randleman would be attending the Local Board of Appeal
training in Morris on January 30, 2008.
10.g. Budget Committee –
Greater MN cities proposed 2008 levy increase average is 11.8% - Dan Oakes
stated with the reduction in Local Government Aids and the decline in the
City’s population, keeping the current level of services offered to local
citizens is a challenge.
10.h. Economic Development
Authority – Development Opportunities Brochure Draft – A draft of the
EDA Brochure featuring the list of available Commercial and Residential
property available for sale in the City, was presented for review by Vicki
Oakes. The EDA is prepared to print the final version.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
11.a. Resolution: Rescinding
Resolution 07-123, Resolution Providing for the Sale of $1,905,000 General
Obligation Water Revenue Warrants, Series 2007A
Resolution 07-128, Rescinding
Resolution 07-123, Resolution Providing for the Sale of $1,905,000 General
Obligation Water Revenue Warrants, Series 2007A
Motion by Cunningham, second by
Anderson to approve Resolution 07-128,
Rescinding Resolution 07-123, Resolution Providing for the Sale of
$1,905,000 General Obligation Water Revenue Warrants, Series 2007A. It
was noted that Ehlers & Associates noticed a discrepancy in the interest
rates initially quoted and the proposed savings of $64,000 was
non-existent.
Roll Call: Arndt, Oakes,
Cunningham, Johnson, Dorry, Meyer, Anderson. Nay: None.
All in favor. 7-0. MCU.
11.b. Second Reading: Ordinance
07-007 Approving Sale of Lots in Course-Air Fourth Addition & Lot 16 in
Course-Air First Addition
Motion by Anderson, second by
Cunningham to approve second reading of
Ordinance 07-007 Approving Sale of Lots in Course-Air Fourth Addition &
Lot 16 in Course-Air First Addition
Roll Call: Arndt, Oakes,
Cunningham, Johnson, Dorry, Meyer, Anderson. Nay: None.
All in favor. 7-0. MCU.
Ortonville
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 19, 2007 Page
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11.c.
Schedule Budget Meeting. Clerk-Administrator Lang will find a
meeting place for a Budget Committee Meeting to be held on Thursday,
November 29th. The 2008 budget and the choosing of an option
for the provision of law enforcement services will also be discussed. No
official business will occur at this meeting.
11.d. Small Cities Development
Grant. The pre-application to the State of
Minnesota for a small cities development grant has been approved. The
City will now submit a full application. This grant could potentially
provide $700,000 to help rehabilitate 15 units of residential housing and
12 commercial units.
12.e. Contracting for Police
Services. The City Council will discuss this
issue at a Budget Meeting to be held on November 29th.
NEW BUSINESS:
12.a. Resolution: Approving
Purchase of Library Geothermal Unit - $6,500.00
Resolution 07-129, Resolution
Approving Purchase of Library Geothermal Unit-$6,500.00
Motion by Johnson, second by
Cunningham, to approve Resolution 07-129,
Resolution Approving Purchase of Library Geothermal Unit-$6,500.00.
Discussion and questions followed. The price was lowered from an original
estimate of $8,500.00 and the Council agreed it would be more cost
effective to replace the existing unit than to repair it.
Roll Call: Aye: Arndt, Oakes,
Cunningham, Johnson, Dorry, Meyer, Anderson.
All in favor. 7-0. MCU.
12.b. First Reading: Ordinance
07-008, An Ordinance Amending the Charter of the City of Ortonville
– City Attorney Craig Ash reported was completed earlier in the meeting
this evening.
Council Member Arndt left the
meeting at 7:51 P. M.
12.c.
Big Stone County Historical Society Requests.
This organization requested the use of storage space in the old Strege
Recycling Building until such time as the space is needed by the City.
They also requested that the old refrigerator in the Columbian Hotel be
donated to the Historical Society.
Motion
by Oakes, second by Dorry to allow the Big
Stone County Historical Society to use the old Strege Recycling Building
for storage but to deny the donation of the old refrigerator to them at
this time.
All in favor. 6-0. MCU.
12.d.
Ortonville Property Partners – Letter of Credit Request – Jim
Larson
James A.
Larson requested the City of Ortonville issue him a $5,000,000.00 Letter
of Credit guarantee to facilitate a building, remodeling and redevelopment
project utilizing existing vacant commercial buildings, houses and city
lots. He stated the Letter of Credit Guarantee would ultimately mean an
estimated $30,000,000.00 with the availability of low interest financing
for housing, new construction and commercial redevelopment in the
community. City Attorney Craig Ash stated this is an unorthodox request
and would test the limits of the definition of a “public purpose”
requirement for city expenditures. The City Administrator was directed to
consult with a financial consultant and/or bond attorney for guidance
regarding this matter. Once information is gathered, a public meeting
regarding this request will be scheduled.
Ortonville
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 19, 2007 Page
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CITY CLERK-ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
13.a.
League of MN Cities Task Force – Intergovernmental Cooperation For Shared
Services. A meeting with the County Commissioners is scheduled for
tomorrow.
13.b.
Update: Eahtonka II Storage
The City is waiting for a response
from the League of MN Cities in regards to the storage of the Eahtonka II.
13.c.
Update: City Office Remodel Project
The city
offices in the armory are not ready to be occupied at this time.
13.d.
Update: 2008 Budget Preparation
A Budget
Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 29.
13.e.
Update: 2010 Census Count Preparation – Local Update of Census Addresses
(LUCA)
Administrator Lang has attended training for helping with the 2010 Census
Count. A packet will be arriving soon that will require approximately 80
to 120 hours of staff time to complete.
13.f.
Update: 2007-2008 Sanitary Sewer Rehab Project – MN PFA Worksheet
The City is
ranked 35th on next year’s PFA Project List
13.g.
Update: Site Plan – Lundell Property
The
closing for the purchase of this land is planned for early January, 2008.
13.h.
Update: Acquisition of 2007 Tax Forfeited Property From Big Stone County
The
completed paperwork is coming soon from the County and the City has
physical control and the keys for the properties.
13.i.
Update: Alley Drainage/Retaining Wall – Madison & Jefferson
Repair
of the retaining wall will be paid for by the homeowner and the City has
repaired the alley.
13.j.
Ortonville Economic Development Task Force – Next
Large Group Meeting With 90-Day Check-in is scheduled for December 5,
2007.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Dorry, second by
Cunningham to adjourn at 8:36 PM.
All in favor. 6-0. MCU.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
_______________________
_______________________
Blair
Johnson David
A. Lang
Mayor
Clerk-Administrator
