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MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 8, 2007
The
regular meeting of the Morris City Council was called to order at 5:15 p.m.
this 8th day of May, 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 Carrington, Webster, Miller, Storck and Mayor Giese. Also present was City Manager Larson,
Finance Director Krosschell and City Attorney Glasrud.
READING
AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 4/24/07
Regular Meeting Minutes:
Council member Webster moved, seconded by Mayor Giese, to approve the
4/24/07 regular meeting minutes.
Motion carried.
4/24/07
Condensed Version: Council
member Carrington moved, seconded by Storck, to approve the 4/24/07 condensed
version minutes. Motion carried.
AUDIT
OF CITY BILLS: Council member Storck
moved, seconded by Webster, to authorize payment of the City bills dated May 8,
2007. Motion carried.
CITIZEN’S
COMMENTS: Presentation of
Donation from 4-H Group: The Darnen
4-H Group presented the council with a check for $500 as a donation for a light
in the new parking lot by City Center Mall. The group indicated they raised funds by selling butter
braids. The remainder of the money
they raised is being sent to the Browns Valley flood victims.
SCEIC
Quarterly Report: Michael
Haynes of the SCEIC was present at the meeting. Haynes indicated his 2006 audit has been completed with no
reportable or significant findings.
Haynes
reviewed the annual report he made to rural development on the revolving loan
fund activities. Haynes noted
other projects he is working on include APEC, LLC, the Chokio Café, Nancy
Huot’s Hispanic store and the corn stover gasification project. Haynes indicated with regard to the
corn stover project, five producers have been identified and they are seeking a
grant to fund all but 20% of the $80,000 needed to do a business plan.
Vance
Gullickson – Rental House Issue:
Vance Gullickson, who resides at 406 Birch Avenue, was present at the
meeting to discuss a water problem at a rental he owns at 908 Colorado. Gullickson indicated he bought the home
six or seven years ago from Boyle’s and they, like him, had never had any water
problems in the basement until the extension of East 10th Street was
completed. Gullickson noted the
water started coming in the basement in the corners of the bedrooms facing East
10th Street. Gullickson
stated he talked with Jim Dittbenner and Ryan Mogard from the public works
department and the water meter didn’t show that any unexplained water was
running through it. Gullickson
noted water could be heard running between the basement block.
MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 8, 2007
Vance
Gullickson – Rental House Issue: (continued)
Gullickson
stated he purchased new gutters and built the area up around the house and by
August of last year the basement seemed to be dry, however, it was a very dry
summer. Gullickson stated the
water problem began again about a month ago. Gullickson indicated he is frustrated because there had
never been a water problem before the extension of the street.
Gullickson
stated he explained the scenario of events to a friend of his who is an
engineer. This person believes the
extension of the street created a natural dyke and when the water would reach
the class 5 gravel it was too compacted to seep through and would drain back
towards the house. Gullickson
indicated the water coming into the basement is ground water, not sewer.
City
Manager Larson noted there was a watermain that was abandoned during the East
10th Street project.
Larson suggested City Engineer Fier look into this matter. Gullickson stated as a landlord he pays
a lot of extra taxes and has had lost rental income because the basement wasn’t
livable for a portion of time.
Larson asked if the property has always had a sump pump and Gullickson
indicated it has. Mayor Giese
stated he drove around the property and it looks as though Gullickson has done
everything he can as far as landscaping.
Council member Storck asked if a new water line was run from the curb
stop to the house. Gullickson did
not think so.
It was the
consensus of the council that Gullickson should check with City Engineer Fier
on this matter.
PETITIONS,
REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS: HRA
Meeting Minutes, 4/17/07:
Mayor Giese moved, seconded by Council member Webster, to accept the
4/17/07 HRA meeting minutes.
Motion carried.
Video
Taping for Council Meetings: A
letter was received from Josh Fischer, expressing an interest in helping out
with the taping/broadcasting of city council meetings. Webster suggested asking Fischer if he
would be interested in coordination of the whole process. It was also suggested to ask him to
submit a bid. Webster indicated he
would talk with Fischer about this.
Gambling
Report: Council member Storck
moved, seconded by Miller, to accept the gambling report from the American
Legion. Upon a roll call vote taken
with four voting in favor and Mayor Giese abstaining, motion carried.
Application
for Exempt Permit – Chamber of Commerce: Mayor Giese moved, seconded by Council member Webster, to
approve the application for exempt permit from the Morris Area Chamber of
Commerce for their Chamber 400 drawing.
Motion carried.
Application
for Exempt Permit – AmVets Post 290:
Council member Carrington moved, seconded by Miller, to approve the
application for exempt permit from the David F. Day AmVets Post 290 for a raffle
to be held during Prairie Pioneer Days.
Motion carried.
MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 8, 2007
Resolution
Calling for Hearing: Larson
explained the waiting period for comments to be received on the city’s wellhead
protection plan has expired. The
next step in the formal adoption of the plan is for the city to hold a public
hearing, which Larson suggested be held during the meeting on May 22nd.
Council
member Storck moved, seconded by Miller, to adopt Resolution #2711-5-07,
Resolution Calling for Hearing on the City’s Wellhead Protection Plan and set
the hearing for 5:25 p.m. on May 22, 2007. 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.
Resolution
Entering Into a Contract for Services: Larson explained the contract for services agreement that
the city has with Stevens County expires at the end of 2007. They have submitted a renewal of the
contract, which will increase by $1,000 for each year. Council member Storck suggested sitting
down with the county at the end of 2009 to discuss the fee schedule.
Council
member Storck moved, seconded by Carrington, to adopt Resolution #2712-5-07,
Resolution Entering Into a Contract for Services with Stevens County for
Assessing Services. Voting was as
follows:
Council
member Miller aye
Council
member Storck aye
Council
member Carrington aye
Council
member Webster abstain
Mayor
Giese aye
With four
voting in favor and one abstaining, motion carried.
Joint
Resolution with Hodges Township:
Larson noted one of the outcomes of the annexation in Morris and Darnen
Townships was that the Orderly Annexation Agreement between the city and those
two townships was modified. Larson
indicated Attorney Chris Hood suggested that a new joint resolution be prepared
and presented to the remaining two townships, Hodges and Framnas. This would bring them in line with what
the other two townships had already agreed to.
Larson
noted Framnas township did not receive the new resolution in time to discuss it
at their annual meeting in March, but Hodges Township has taken the time to
review it and has indicated a willingness to accept it. Larson stated some of the changes
include the listing of the conditions for annexation, outlining of the tax
reimbursement for the townships and setting a termination date of fifteen years
from the effective date of the resolution.
MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 8, 2007
Joint
Resolution with Hodges Township: (continued)
Council
member Carrington moved, seconded by Storck, to adopt Resolution #2713-5-07,
Joint Resolution for Orderly Annexation By and Between Hodges Township and the
City of Morris. 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.
Service
Agreement with Hodges Township:
Larson stated the housing development at the golf course has its own
sanitary sewer system. Permission
was given by the City Council to allow discharge from that system into the
city’s wastewater treatment facility.
Hodges Township has accepted ownership of the system.
Larson
explained because Hodges Township does not have the personnel or equipment to
maintain the system it was proposed that the city provide the manpower and
equipment, for a fee, to maintain and inspect the system. Larson reviewed the schedule, noting
that because of the small amount of development at this point the initial
schedule for inspections and maintenance is set at once per month. As more development occurs, the
frequency of inspections would increase.
Council
member Storck asked how they would be charged. Larson noted there would be a meter at the lift
station. Larson indicated one bill
would be sent to the township.
Larson stated if more involved services are required a higher fee would
be charged, including equipment costs.
Council member Webster asked if the city’s system could handle the golf
course development if it reached full capacity. Larson indicated there may be a need for another treatment
cell.
Council
member Storck moved, seconded by Webster, to adopt Resolution #2714-5-07,
Resolution Entering Into a Service Agreement with Hodges Township. 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: Hazardous and Substandard Buildings: Larson indicated the council has a copy
of the report for an inspection done at 404 East 7th Street, which is
owned by Dale Ritter. Larson
stated he is recommending the council issue an Order to Repair because several
deficiencies were found when the inspection was done. The order requests that work on the property begin within 30
days and that all work to bring the residence up to code be completed by
September 1, 2007.
MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 8, 2007
Hazardous
and Substandard Buildings: (continued)
Dale
Ritter, the owner of the property at 404 East 7th Street, was
present at the meeting. Ritter
stated he just received a letter yesterday in the mail notifying him of this
request for an order. Ritter asked
that the council postpone consideration of this order or get rid of it
completely. Ritter stated he feels
it is ridiculous that the home is considered hazardous. Ritter indicated he has no problem with
fixing the exterior of the property.
Ritter stated he has not had an opportunity to view the inspection
report and the city inspector did not return his phone call.
Council
member Storck asked Ritter how long he has owned the property. Ritter estimated six or seven
years. Ritter stated he has never
been cited for anything up to this point, the police have never been called to
his property and there have been no complaints from the neighbors. Ritter indicated past history does not
make this an emergency and he would like the council to table the matter so he
has an opportunity to talk with the inspector and look at the legal aspect of
this matter. Ritter stated his
property may be the ugliest house on the block, but it is not a hazard.
Larson
stated his recommendation is that the city council order the repair of the
structure and that it be done by September 1, 2007 so there is a conclusion to
this matter. Larson pointed out
there is no electricity or water to the structure right now.
Ritter
argued that he has not seen a copy of the 5-6 page inspection report that the
inspector filled out. Larson
informed Ritter that he has a copy of the only inspection papers the inspector
filled out. Council member Webster
stated the home is on a main corridor and is an eyesore. Webster agreed that Ritter was not
given an opportunity to respond to the report.
Glasrud
suggested that the matter be tabled until the next council meeting since Ritter
has not had sufficient time to respond to the materials. Glasrud stated the matter appears to be
resolvable because everyone wants the same thing – to get the house cleaned up. Council member Miller stated the city
doesn’t need another empty lot and suggested setting a timeline if Ritter is
willing to fix it up.
Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Webster, to table this item until the next meeting
on May 22nd to give Dale Ritter an opportunity to talk with the city
inspector. 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.
Larson
indicated the second inspection was conducted at 711 Pacific Avenue, which is
owned by Gerald Gau. Larson stated
Gau has signed off on a proposal to tear the building down. The proposal to tear the building down is
an Authorization to Raze a Hazardous Building. Larson noted the costs to tear down the house and garage
MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 8, 2007
Hazardous
and Substandard Buildings: (continued)
on this
parcel would be entered as a special assessment against the property. Larson indicated this becomes a lien which
would need to be paid before any transfer of the lot could occur.
Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Storck, to accept the signed Authorization to
Raze a Hazardous Building for the house and garage at 711 Pacific 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 Carrington asked about the Susan Ransone property. Glasrud stated that property is
complicated because it is in bankruptcy.
The city is waiting to hear on the purchase of the property.
Change
in Issuance of Building Permits:
Larson stated it has been suggested by the city’s building official that
minor building projects be charged a flat rate. Larson noted the building code allows for this on projects
such as roofing, siding, windows, doors or other minor projects. The City of Benson charges a flat fee
of $15.00 with a $.50 state surcharge fee. Larson noted this would speed up the issuance of these types
of permits because they could be done by office staff. Larson noted a change like this would
need to be done via ordinance and recommended the council hold their first
reading of the ordinance tonight.
Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Storck, to accept this as the first reading of
Ordinance No. 72, and set the second reading and public hearing for 5:30 p.m.
on May 22, 2007. 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.
City
Attorney Glasrud asked if there would be an appreciable loss of revenue because
of this change. Larson indicated
he didn’t believe there would be.
Scheduling
of Worksession: Council member
Miller moved, seconded by Storck, to schedule a worksession for 5:00 p.m. on
Thursday, May 10th in the City Hall conference room to continue with
discussions for hiring a new city manager. Motion carried.
MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 8, 2007
Airport
Advisory Board: Larson stated
the Airport Advisory Board is requesting an appropriation of funds up to $5,000
to cover costs associated with the Fly-In and dedication of the airport
scheduled for June 16th.
Mayor
Giese moved, seconded by Council member Storck, to allow the Airport Advisory
Board up to $5,000 from the airport fund to cover costs associated with the
events on June 16, 2007. Motion carried.
Map: Mayor Giese requested a map for the
council chambers. Larson indicated
city staff would check with WSN about getting a map.
OLD
BUSINESS: Lake Outlet: Larson stated he spoke with the DNR in
Detroit Lakes and they indicated there are no rules, statutes, or otherwise
that would make the City of Morris responsible for the lake outlet on Nathan
and Jodi Petersen’s property. The
council suggested offering them a free clean up spruce up ticket if they would
be willing to clean it up.
Council
member Webster moved, seconded by Carrington, to send a letter to Petersen’s
informing them that the city has no legal responsibility for the outlet. Furthermore, to offer Petersen’s a free
clean up ticket for the debris located in and around the outlet. Motion carried.
INFORMATIONAL
ITEMS: April Transit Report: Finance Director Krosschell informed
the council the transit system had more passengers in the last four months than
at any time in the past twenty years.
This was informational for the council.
Worksession
Minutes, 5/2/07: Larson
suggested the council not publish the job advertisement in the Star Tribune and
the Pioneer Press. Webster
indicated that could be an option down the road if not many applications are
received.
Mayor
Giese moved, seconded by Council member Webster, to forego publishing the City
Manager job ad in the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press. Motion carried.
Mayor
Giese moved, seconded by Council member Webster, to approve the 5/2/07
worksession minutes. Motion
carried.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor
Giese adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
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