ORTONVILLE CITY COUNCIL
COUNTY OF BIG STONE, STATE OF MINNESOTA
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
DIALYSYS BUILDING - 435 EASTVOLD AVENUE
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008
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 7:05 P.M. Roll Call was taken with the following Present: Mayor Blair
Johnson, Craig Randleman, Steve Berkner, Mike Dorry, Bob Meyer, John
Cunningham, Nick Anderson. Staff Present: City Administrator David Lang,
Assistant Administrator Susan Lundell. Media Present: Mike Swenson
(Ortonville Independent). Others Present: Elsie Perrine, Vicki Oakes,
Marcy Stotesbery, Lenore Sellin, Wayne Frette, Marylin Jurgens, Alice
Radermacher, David Dinnel and other interested citizens.
Mayor
Johnson stated Council Member Mike Dorry’s statement at the last Council
Meeting that Fairway View’s monthly profit was $30,000 was incorrect.
AGENDA
AMENDMENTS/APPROVAL:
11.a. Council Packets
Motion
by Meyer, second by Randleman to approve the
Agenda as amended.
All in
favor. 7-0. MCU (Motion Carried Unanimously)
CITY
ATTORNEY REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS:
3.a.Update: Increasing Heritage Preservation Commission Membership From 4
to 7 Members. City Attorney Ash was absent from
the meeting.
RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS/INTRODUCTIONS:
6.a
Discussion: Planning Commission Decision to Order Removal of a Metal
Garage Within the City of Ortonville-Marylin Jurgens.
Marylin Jurgens stated she violated city and planning commission rules by
putting up a steel building in her back yard without a building permit.
She stated she ordered the building on October 31, 2007 thinking that she
would have time to get a permit before the arrival of the building. The
crew arrived to erect the building on November 16, 2007 with no prior
notice. Jurgens stated that she did not know that city ordinances do not
allow steel buildings in residential areas. She asked for a variance from
the planning commission rules.
Council
Member Berkner stated if a permit had been applied for there would have
been a permit checklist that would have identified the building as being
non-compliant. A letter to the Jurgens was sent from the Planning
Commission stating they had 180 days to remove the building.
The Council
deferred the matter to the Planning Commission for consideration at their
next meeting on April 8, 2008 at 4:30 P.M.
Ortonville City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 7, 2008
Page 2 of 5
RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS/INTRODUCTIONS: (cont.)
6.b.
Workshop Summary: Review of Fairway View Financial Statements &
Performance-It was noted the January and
February 2008 profit is about $10,000 per month for the first two months
of the year.
CITIZENS
TO BE HEARD:
7.a. There
were no citizens to be heard.
CONSENT
AGENDA:
Motion
by Anderson, second by Randleman to
approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
8.a.
Approve Expenditures
8.b.
Approve Minutes of March 17, 2008 City Council Public Informational
Meeting
8.c.
Approve Minutes of March 17, 2008 City Council Special Meeting
8.d.
Approve Minutes of March 17, 2008 City Council Regular Meeting
8.e.
Approve Minutes of March 25, 2008 City Council Special Meeting
8.f.
Approve Tax Research & Recovery, Inc. Contract
8.g.
Approve On-Sale & Sunday Liquor License Applications for Darwin Asmus
All in
favor. 7-0. MCU.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF CITIZEN BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS:
9.a. Utility Committee
Recommendation: The extension and hookup of the water line to Steve Barr’s
property be charged at $1,250.00 and that there be no charge for the sewer
hookup as Steve Barr owns the sewer line.
Motion
by Randleman, second by Cunningham that
the extension and hookup of the water line to Steve Barr’s property be
charged at $1,250.00 and that there be no charge for the sewer hookup as
Steve Barr owns the sewer line. Discussion and questions followed.
All in favor. 7-0. MCU.
9.b.
Utility Committee Recommendation: To proceed with the revised Electrical
Service Territory Map with the State of Minnesota.
Motion
by Cunningham, second by Berkner to proceed
with the revised Electrical Service Territory Map with the State of
Minnesota. Discussion and questions followed
regarding overlapping of service territories.
All in favor. 7-0. MCU.
9.c.
Utility Committee Recommendation: To recommend to the Joint Water Board to
increase the Water Rate For Water Sold to Both Cities From $3.79/1,000
Gallons to $4.06/1,000Gallons.
Motion
by Cunningham, second by Berkner to
recommend to the Joint Water Board to increase the Water Rate For Water
Sold to Both Cities From $3.79/1,000 Gallons to $4.06/1,000Gallons.
All in
favor. 7-0. MCU.
Ortonville City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 7,
2008 Page 3 of 5
REPORTS FROM COUNCIL COMMITTEES:
10.a.
Local Board of Appeal and Equalization – John
Cunningham reported the value of the City increased 3.3% from the previous
year. He noted Big Stone County agricultural land went up 17.5%.
10.b.
Library Board Discussion Item: Board Members Absences at Board Meetings-Mayor
Johnson will talk with Library Board member who does not attend regularly.
10.c.
Building Committee Space Needs Survey Update –
Bob Meyer reported that various recommendations were made regarding the
building needs for the various City departments. Anderson asked the City
receive guidance from our financial consultant to see if building plans
are economically feasible for the City. A field trip is scheduled for the
end of April to visit other government centers to gather ideas.
10.d.
Joint Water Board Committee Water Treatment Plant Study Proposal
– John Cunningham reported that they are looking at making the plant more
efficient and are studying the plant operation to see if the city can
avoid major capital outlays. A consultant from South Dakota State
University in Brookings, SD has been contacted to assist with this study.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
11.a.
Council Packets
Council
Member Dorry expressed concern that the Council packets are not being
received on Fridays as they have been in the past.
NEW BUSINESS:
12.a.
Refer Turnover of Minnesota Highway 7 to the Street Committee.
Motion
by Cunningham, second by Randleman to refer
turnover of MN Highway 7 to Street Committee. Discussion and questions
followed. This leg of MN Highway 7 does not connect to anything in
the County road system so it would become a City Street.
All in
favor. 7-0. MCU.
12.b.
Schedule City Council Planning Session.
Mayor
Johnson asked that a Council Planning Session be scheduled for
Monday, May 12, 2008 at 5:30 P. M. in the Armory Meeting Room.
12.c.
Refer City Office Computer Server Acquisition to
the Telecommunications Committee.
Motion
by Cunningham, second by Anderson to refer
the City Office Computer Server Acquisition to the Telecommunications
Committee. Our technology consultant has recommended the server be
replaced. It was noted the server is 5 years old. Discussion and questions
followed.
All in
favor. 7-0. MCU.
12.d.
Refer Pomroy and Dyer Street Petition to the Street Committee.
Motion
by Dorry, second by Meyer to refer the Pomroy
and Dyer Street Petition to the Street Committee. Discussion and
questions followed. Anderson stated a street replacement schedule is
needed, and feels this should be part of a street rehabilitation bonding
package in the future.
All in
favor. 7-0. MCU.
12.e.
Preliminary Discussion: Assessment Policies.
Council
Member Anderson presented a proposed two-page assessment policy
spreadsheet draft. This assessment policy proposal is his view of a
starting point. In formulating this policy, Anderson leaned more on the
gentler side of being pro-development in an attempt to make the assessment
process more palatable to the taxpayer. Comments on the proposed policy
should be made to any member of the Utility Committee.
Ortonville City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 7,
2008 Page 4 of 5
CITY CLERK-ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
& RECOMMENDATIONS:
13.a.
Update: Cell Phone Acquisition:
Lang stated
with the additional purchase of one phone, all in-house departments heads
now have a cell phone.
13.b.
Update: Small Cities Development Grant
Lang noted
the MN DEED award letter in the amount of $192,000 has been received.
13.c.
Update: Ortonville & Big Stone County Housing Study
A schedule
of milestones will be available in time for the next EDA Board Meeting.
The Study will be completed early in the third quarter of this year.
13.d.
Update: MN Housing Finance Agency 2008 MN Cities Participation Program
Lang
indicated the City has been awarded a $100,000 grant for affordable
housing, and both local lenders will be working with the MN Housing
Finance Agency.
13.e. Update: Planning Commission Blog
Web Site
The content is almost finished, and
the site should be operable by the end of April.
13.f.
League of MN Cities 2008 Safety & Loss Control Workshops Registration
Lang noted
the available dates.
13.g. Small
Cities Development Grant Program Training
Lang noted
two EDA Board members and the EDA staff will attend in Mankato on 04-15-08
13.h.
Government Center Space Needs Survey
Councilor
Meyer had updated this item earlier in the meeting this evening.
13.i.
Promise Keepers Parks Spring Clean UP Opportunity 04-12-08
Lang noted
the upcoming event scheduled for this coming Saturday.
13.j.
Update: Minnesota River Regional Park Improvement Project Grant
Lang
indicated a decision may be made this week regarding the MN Legislative
Bonding Bill
13.k.
Update: Library Steps Replacement
Lang stated
bids will be obtained when the frost is out of the ground.
13.l. Land
Use Planning Workshops – Government Training Services
Lang noted
the available dates for training.
13.m.
Update: Wellhead Protection Plan
Lang
indicated the meeting to commence Phase II is scheduled for April 8, 2008.
13.n.
Update: Sanitary Sewer Rehab Project - Public Information Meeting
Lang stated
the meeting for Lakeshore Drive residents is scheduled for April 8, 2008.
13.o.
League of Minnesota Cities Policy Committee Opportunities
Lang noted
the LMC Policy Committee Opportunities available.
13.p. Pet
Vaccination & License Clinic –
Lang
indicated the Appleton Veterinary Clinic will be at the Fire Hall on April
19, 2008.
Mayor
Johnson closed the Regular Council Meeting for an Executive Session at
8:30 P. M.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
14.a.The
Council then went into an executive session to consider a complaint
against a City employee.
REGULAR
MEETING:
Mayor
Johnson reopened the Regular Meeting at 9: 04 P.M. He stated the Council
took no action at the Executive Session.
Ortonville City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 7, 2008
Page 5 of 5
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Anderson, second by
Cunningham to adjourn at 9:05 P. M.
All in favor. 7-0. MCU.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
_____________________
______________________
Blair
Johnson David
A. Lang
Mayor
Clerk-Administrator
