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MINUTES–MORRIS
CITY COUNCIL–REGULAR MEETING–MARCH 27, 2007
The
regular meeting of the Morris City Council was called to order at 5:15 p.m.
this 27th day of March, 2007, by Mayor Giese in the Council Chambers
of the Morris Senior Citizens/Community Center.
PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of
Allegiance was recited.
ROLL
CALL: Roll call was taken with
the following members present:
Council member Webster, Miller, Storck and Mayor Giese. Council member Carrington arrived at
5:16 p.m. Also present was City
Manager Larson and Finance Director Krosschell.
READING
AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 3/27/07
Regular Meeting Minutes: Council
member Webster indicated his intent in the motion under the Human Rights Commission
minutes was that each board and commission not be the sole gatekeeper of who
gets in and out. Council member
Miller stated at the HRC meeting the commission wondered if they had done
something for them to be singled out for review of applications. Webster indicated he meant for it to be
applied towards all boards and commissions. Mayor Giese stated he isn’t sure if he is willing or wants
to do that for each commission.
The council decided to bring this matter up at a later date.
Council
member Storck moved, seconded by Webster, to approve the 3/27/07 regular
meeting minutes. Motion carried.
3/27/07
Condensed Minutes: Council
member Carrington moved, seconded by Webster, to approve the 3/27/07 condensed
meeting minutes. Motion carried.
AUDIT
OF CITY BILLS: Council member Webster
moved, seconded by Miller, to authorize payment of the City bills dated March
27, 2007. Motion carried.
CITIZEN’S
COMMENTS: Nathan and Jodi
Petersen, 117 Pacific Avenue, were present at the meeting to discuss the open
ditch next to their property. Jodi
stated they moved into this house in September and their biggest worry is that
someone may get hurt because of this ditch. Jodi noted her daughter has almost fallen in the water. Jodi indicated she talked with Julie
Aadland of the DNR in Fergus Falls.
Jodi stated that Aadland told her that because it is an outlet for
public water it is therefore city property. Jodi noted the ditch is 6’ deep and 18’ across. Jodi showed the council pictures of the
area in question. Jodi indicated
she had talked with Jim Dittbenner last year and he indicated the city would
maybe clean it up.
Jodi
stated she was told they own the land on both sides of the property and the
ground underneath the water. Jodi
stated the area is an eyesore.
Council
member Storck asked if it bothered them when they bought the property. Petersen stated it was a situation
where they had sold their house and needed to move and this house was in their
price range. Jodi indicated they
are just trying to figure out a solution.
Jodi asked why the area wasn’t tiled when the other tiling was done
across the road.
Council
member Webster stated he felt it was obviously overlooked and asked what the
Petersen’s wanted the council to consider. Storck disagreed with the fact that it was overlooked,
noting that he has been around 40+ years and no one had ever asked before. Storck reiterated what he said at the
last council meeting, which was buyer beware.
Larson
explained that MN DOT did the tiling on the county road by New Horizons across
the highway. Larson indicated the
tiling goes under 59, comes out and then goes under the railroad tracks, goes
back underground until Columbia Avenue and comes out between Columbia and
Eleanor Avenue. Council member
Storck asked if the tiling was done and the children were outside by
themselves, would that prevent them from going in or near the ditch?
Nathan
Petersen stated he has talked to a lot of people on the other side of the
highway that are unhappy with the situation. Larson indicated he has only received one concern from a
resident about ice in the culvert on Eleanor Avenue.
Jodi
Petersen indicated they don’t have thousands of dollars to tile the ditch and
it can’t be filled in because the DNR won’t allow it. Larson asked Storck if he remembered an issue from years
back with regard to riparian rights, meaning that in order to do something you
have to get the signature of every landowner around the lake because everyone
owns a pie shape out to the center of the lake. Larson asked who would be responsible if the water backed up
and flooded someone else’s property.
Nathan Petersen indicated the other side of the road should have had
signatures as well. Larson stated
the other side hasn’t had any problems, other than it gets messy
sometimes.
Larson suggested the council take it
under advisement and talk to the DNR.
Larson asked Petersen’s to be mindful that they are the property owner
on both sides of the ditch. Webster
suggested landscaping alternatives if nothing can be changed. Jodi asked if this area was ever
considered when the other tiling was done. Larson stated it hasn’t been, not in the 26 years he has
been with the city. Larson stated
when the area by the fire hall was tiled it cost in excess of $60,000 and a
large portion of that was picked up by Floyd Schmidgall. If tiling was done, property owners
would bear a portion of the cost to fix it.
Council
member Miller stated there is also an opening in the drain by the Fire Hall
that when there is excessive rain is going to come back into that
property. Miller noted an overflow
is needed so things can come around and up and save everyone from
flooding.
Mayor
Giese stated city staff would check on what can or should be done with this
area.
PETITIONS,
REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS: SCMC
Administrative Report: Mayor Giese moved, seconded by Council member
Webster, to accept the February administrative report from SCMC. Motion carried.
Gambling
Reports: Council member Miller
moved, seconded by Storck, to accept the gambling report from the American
Legion. Upon a roll call vote
taken and four voting in favor and Mayor Giese abstaining, motion carried.
Mayor
Giese moved, seconded by Council member Miller, to accept the gambling reports
from the West Central Trailblazers, Met Lounge and Morris Eagles. Motion carried.
ORDINANCES
AND RESOLUTIONS: 2006
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Resolution Accepting and Approving
Financial Report: Brian
Neuharth, representing Eide Bailly, LLC, was present at the meeting to review
the city’s 2006 comprehensive annual financial report. Neuharth stated the city is in good
financial condition and city staff was excellent and extremely competent to
work with. Neuharth indicated the
city was given an unqualified opinion, which is the best opinion they can get. Neuharth noted they did not identify
any significant audit adjustments and found no difficulties.
Neuharth explained
a change with regard to accounting standards. Neuharth stated the information contained in the financial
statements is maintained by city staff throughout the year and compiled by Eide
Bailly in its proper form. Because
it is prepared by someone else it is considered a deficiency. Neuharth stated because the city does
not prepare it’s own financial statements, it has to be identified as a
deficiency in the financial reporting process, even though the only thing that
has changed in the accounting standards.
Neuharth
stated revenues and expenditures were both up slightly from the prior year,
with revenues of $2,969,000 and expenditures of $2,916,000. Utility fund sales were up slightly, as
were the liquor store and refuse funds.
Total cash and investments for the city were at $6.1 million.
Neuharth indicated
the city received another Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in
Financial Reporting for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005.
Council
member Carrington asked how much is transferred out of the net profit from the
liquor store fund. Finance
Director Krosschell directed the council to page 28 of the financial report
which showed a transfer of $55,000 from the liquor store fund. Larson noted $30,000 of that is a
contribution to the historical society and the balance stays in the general
fund as a revenue source.
Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Carrington, to adopt Resolution #2702-3-07,
Resolution Accepting and Approving 2006 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
for the City of Morris. Voting was
as follows:
Council
member Webster aye
Council
member Carrington aye
Council
member Storck aye
Council
member Miller aye
Mayor
Giese aye
With all
voting in favor, motion carried.
Mayor
Giese presented Finance Director Krosschell with yet another Certificate of
Achievement for Excellence in Financing Reporting award.
Resolution
Accepting Bid: City Manager
Larson stated three bids for the West 6th Street project were
received and opened on March 20th. Larson indicated an extremely good bid of $971,232.22 was
received from Riley Brothers Construction of Morris. Larson noted the engineer’s estimate for this project was
$1,253,126. The other bids
received were from Central Specialties of Alexandria for $1,255,768.55 and SJ
Louis Construction for $1,198,038.10.
Larson pointed out that the other two companies had much higher
mobilization costs than Riley’s.
Larson
recommended the council accept the bid from Riley’s and hold the assessment
hearing after the project is complete.
Larson estimated they will begin work towards the end of May or
beginning of June. Council member
Miller asked what this bid means for the property owners along West 6th. Larson indicated it brings the
assessment amounts closer to the West 8th Street figures.
Council
member Storck moved, seconded by Miller, to adopt Resolution #2703-3-07,
Resolution Accepting Bid from Riley Brothers Construction for Work on West 6th
Street and a Portion of Lyndale Avenue.
Voting was as follows:
Council
member Miller aye
Council
member Storck aye
Council
member Carrington aye
Council
member Webster aye
Mayor
Giese aye
With all
voting in favor, motion carried.
Council
member Miller asked about the formula used for apartment buildings and when
that would be discussed. Larson
noted Amanda Minion, the city’s intern, has been gathering information on this
issue and will be bringing her findings before the council.
Resolution
Authorizing Purchase of Transit Bus:
Larson noted the 2007 budget for transit operations included the
purchase of a new bus. Larson
pointed out the cost sharing on the bus is 80% from the state and a 20% local
match. Larson indicated the bus
would be bought off the state bid.
Krosschell noted the contract amount was for up to $58,000 and the new
bus price came in well under that at $50,549.50.
Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Webster, to adopt Resolution #2704-3-07,
Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a Transit Bus. Voting was as follows:
Council
member Storck aye
Council
member Miller aye
Council
member Webster aye
Council
member Carrington aye
Mayor
Giese aye
With all
voting in favor, motion carried.
Resolution
Calling for Bids: Larson
stated last year the Park Board made a recommendation to the city council to
build a spray park at Pomme de Terre.
Larson explained that initially it was thought that the purchase of the
equipment and the construction of the concrete pad could be done separately, to
avoid having to go to bids. Larson
noted costs have come in higher and there is a need to receive sealed bids. Larson indicated bids would be received
on April 9th and then brought to the council at their April 10th
meeting.
Mayor
Giese moved, seconded by Council member Webster, to adopt Resolution
#2705-3-07, Resolution Ordering Advertisement for Bids for Spray Park at Pomme
de Terre. Voting was as follows:
Council
member Carrington aye
Council
member Webster aye
Council
member Miller aye
Council
member Storck aye
Mayor
Giese aye
With all
voting in favor, motion carried.
CITY
MANAGER’S REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS: Small Cities Development Program Grant Application: Larson informed the council that the
Small Cities Development Program Grant that had been filed on behalf of the
cities of Hancock and Morris was approved for funding. For the city of Morris this means the
rehabilitation of six owner occupied homes and the acquisition and demolition
of two substandard structures.
After the demolition and clearing of sites the parcels would be made
available as potential sites for new homes under the Habitat for Humanity
Program.
Waiving
of Building Permit Fee: Larson
indicated the people involved in the local Habitat for Humanity program are
requesting that the city council waive building permit fees for any
construction done under this program.
Larson suggested it be done on a case by case basis.
Council
member Storck moved, seconded by Webster, to waive the building permit fee for
the Habitat for Humanity projects that will take place as part of the
demolition and clearing of sites under the Small Cities Development Program
Grant. Motion carried.
Clean
Up Spruce Up: Larson explained
city staff has been informed by Ellsworth Engebretson at the landfill that
items such as mattresses, box springs, couches and chairs can no longer be
disposed of at their site and need to be hauled to a landfill near
Willmar. Larson recommended that
the costs be increased for disposal of these items to $10 per item. Larson also suggested the regular tag
fee remain at $15.00.
Larson
suggested clean up spruce up be held May 15th for the east side of
town and May 16th for the west side of town, which is the week
following graduation at UMM.
Larson indicated Ellsworth is giving the city a break on the cost to
dispose of those items and it would cost people more to haul it on their
own.
Council
member Storck asked what happens with the items that get left without a
tag. Giese suggested getting the
message across to landlords that if items are put out without a tag, they are
responsible for disposing of them.
Larson agreed that a strategy needs to be in place to deal with those
instances. Council member Miller
suggested including some information about the disposal of tires in the
advertising.
Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Storck, to approve the clean up spruce plan
and fee schedule presented by city staff.
Motion carried.
Delinquent
Water Bill List: The following
list of delinquent water bills was presented to the council:
Mike
Nordquist 4
Skyview Lane 115.84
Cinda
Carlson 21
Ridge Road 73.26
Lonnie
Anderson 18
Ridge Road 128.62
Zachary
Grant 103
S California Avenue 121.69
Christian
Sell 12
South Street 73.00
Peggy
Vaneps 11
South Street 105.19
Dan
Harris 10
East 1st Street 20.70
Carol
Mohrman 106
East 1st Street 89.14
Ronald
Kubik 101
East 1st Street 82.76
Jeff
Mangan 109
East 7th Street 161.66
Rochelle
Anderson 306
East 8th Street 89.11
David
Lindberg 101
East 8th Street 97.11
David
Lindberg 803
Oregon Avenue 80.78
Marlene
Geyen 311
East 9th Street 122.45
Paul
Kopitzke 200
East 10th Street 20.70
Eric
Giese 108
East 10th Street 24.98
Dorothy
Selland 718
Iowa Avenue 96.24
Paul
Pederson 705
Columbia Avenue 56.53
Holly
Johnson 919
Columbia Avenue 120.79
Nick
Kieffer 11
Thomas Street 122.31
Mayor Giese moved, seconded by
Council member Miller, to follow the usual procedure of turning the water off
at the above locations until the bill has been paid. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS: Appointment to Park Board – Carol
Wilcox: Mayor Giese moved,
seconded by Council member Miller, to appoint Carol Wilcox to the Park
Board. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS: MN Rural Summit: Mayor Giese reminded the council of the
MN Rural Summit conference being held in May.
Introduction of Intern: Mayor Giese welcomed Amanda Minion, the
city’s intern through the Center for Small Towns. Giese asked if she had looked into any sewer or well
ordinances. Larson stated the
county has an ordinance that includes sewer information. Amanda indicated she hasn’t found any
useful information yet with regard to wells.
Broadcast of Council Meetings on
Access Channel: Council member
Webster stated he is still working on this issue.
Bike Path: Council member Miller asked about the
status of the bike path for West 4th Street that Pat Hein had
discussed at an earlier meeting.
Larson noted it was left that it would be brought up in the fall when
the capital improvement plan is reviewed.
Webster stated he thought the city was going to get some prices so the
residents know that things are progressing. It was the consensus to talk with City Engineer Fier when he
returns to follow through with this request.
Review of Applications for
Boards and Commission: Council
member Webster indicated he would put this item on another agenda.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Revenue & Expenditure Report: This was informational for the council
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor
Giese adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m.
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