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MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 22, 2007
The
regular meeting of the Morris City Council was called to order at 5:15 p.m.
this 22nd 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
and Public Works Director Dittbenner.
READING
AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 5/8/07
Regular Meeting Minutes: Council
member Webster noted that on page 4 under the roll call for the Joint
Resolution with Hodges Township, Mayor Wilcox should be changed to Mayor
Giese. Council member Webster
moved, seconded by Miller, to approve the 5/8/07 regular meeting minutes with
this change. Motion carried.
5/8/07
Condensed Version: Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Carrington, to approve the 5/8/07 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
22, 2007. Motion carried.
CITIZEN’S
COMMENTS: None
PETITIONS,
REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS: SCMC
Administrative Report: Council
member Carrington moved, seconded by Webster, to accept the April
administrative report from SCMC.
Motion carried.
Application
for Exempt Permit – Eagles Baseball:
Council member Miller moved, seconded by Storck, to approve the
application for exempt permit from the Morris Eagles Baseball for a
raffle. The raffle is being
conducted to raise money for equipment at the RFC. Voting was as follows:
Council
member Webster aye
Council
member Carrington abstain
Council
member Storck aye
Council
member Miller aye
Mayor
Giese aye
With four
voting in favor and one abstaining, motion carried.
Application
for Exempt Permit – Fire Department:
City Manager Larson indicated this application should be from the Morris
Fire Relief Association, not the Morris Fire Department. Council member Webster moved, seconded
by Storck, to make the name change and approve the application for exempt
permit from the Morris Fire Relief Association for a raffle. Motion carried.
MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 22, 2007
ORDINANCES
AND RESOLUTIONS: Public
Hearing and Resolution Accepting and Approving Wellhead Protection Plan: Mayor Giese closed the regular meeting
and opened the public hearing at 5:25 p.m.
Jason
Kirwin from West Central Environmental Consultants was present at the
meeting. Kirwin stated they did
not receive any public comments on the plan and the next step is that the
wellhead protection plan be adopted and implemented. The Department of Health would be following up on the
implementation of the plan. Kirwin
stated the whole goal of the plan is to protect the city’s wells. Webster asked if implementation of the
plan has been budgeted for. Larson
noted it would become part of the budget in the ensuing years.
Mayor
Giese closed the public hearing at 5:28 p.m. and brought the matter back to the
council for action.
Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Webster, to adopt Resolution #2715-5-07,
Resolution Accepting and Approving Wellhead Protection Plan. 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.
Public
Hearing and 2nd Reading of Ordinance No. 72, An Ordinance Adding
Section 4.031 to the Morris City Code for Issuing Maintenance Building Permits: Mayor Giese opened the public hearing
at 5:30 p.m. City Manager Larson
stated this ordinance would allow city staff, other than the building official,
to issue permits for minor projects with follow-up inspections being done by
the building official.
Larson
pointed out there is also a resolution which would set the fee for these types
of permits at $15.00, along with an applicable state surcharge. Larson noted the fee change is done via
resolution because it is easier to change than an ordinance.
Mayor
Giese closed the public hearing at 5:31 p.m. and brought the matter back to the
council for action.
Mayor
Giese moved, seconded by Council member Webster, to accept this as the second
reading and adopt Ordinance No. 72, An Ordinance Adding Section 4.031 to the
Morris City Code for Issuing Maintenance Building Permits. 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.
MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 22, 2007
Public
Hearing and 2nd Reading of Ordinance No. 72, An Ordinance Adding
Section 4.031 to the Morris City Code for Issuing Maintenance Building Permits:
(continued)
Council
member Storck moved, seconded by Miller, to adopt Resolution #2716-5-07,
Resolution Setting Fee for Maintenance Permits. 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.
Ordinance
No. 73, An Ordinance Conveying Real Property: Larson stated if the council accepts the bid of $1,600 from
Donny Wohlers for the vacant lot, this would be the first reading of the
ordinance. Giese noted Wohlers’
original bid was for $1,500.
Miller asked if an assessor was contacted on the value of the land. Larson stated he did not contact an
assessor. Carrington suggested the
council accept the original bid of $1,500. Larson stated since the council advertised for bids, they
must accept the bid received as a result of that, which was for $1,600.
Council
member Carrington moved, seconded by Webster, to accept this as the first
reading of Ordinance No. 72, An Ordinance Conveying Real Property, and set the
second reading and public hearing for 5:25 p.m. on June 12, 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.
Ordinance
No. 74, An Ordinance Repealing Section 10.71, Noise Pollution Regulations of
the Morris City Code: Larson
indicated the next two ordinances are recommendations from the Planning
Commission. Webster stated he felt
the commission was very thorough with the language, but was concerned that Item
J was vague with regard to air conditioning.
Council
member Storck asked about noise from trains. Miller stated he felt that wasn’t something the city could
control and it may become a liability issue if trains don’t use their horns. Storck also asked about the bells at
the cemetery. Miller indicated he
thought the cemetery board was going to take a look at that and tone down the
noise. Larson stated he has been
getting some complaints again about the elevator noise, but noted this is a rural
agricultural community. Miller
suggested working together with the new manager at the elevator to make him
aware of the city’s concerns.
Mayor
Giese moved, seconded by Council member Miller, to accept this as the first
reading of Ordinance No. 74, An Ordinance Repealing Section 10.71, Noise
Pollution Regulations of the Morris City Code, and set the second reading and
public hearing for 5:30 p.m. on June 12, 2007. Voting was as follows:
MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 22, 2007
Ordinance
No. 74, An Ordinance Repealing Section 10.71, Noise Pollution Regulations of
the Morris City Code: (continued)
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 left the meeting at this point.
Ordinance
No. 75, An Ordinance Amending Section 7.11 and Section 10.21 of the Morris City
Code: Larson indicated this
makes the language for height of grass and weeds consistent in both sections
and allows for native grasses.
Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Webster, to accept this as the first reading
of Ordinance No. 75, An Ordinance Amending Section 7.11 and Section 10.21 of
the Morris City Code, and set the second reading and public hearing for 5:35
p.m. on June 12, 2007. Voting was
as follows:
Council
member Storck aye
Council
member Miller aye
Council
member Webster aye
Council
member Carrington absent
Mayor
Giese aye
With all
voting in favor, motion carried.
Resolution
Authorizing Fund Transfers:
City Manager Larson indicated this is a housekeeping matter. Mayor Giese moved, seconded by Council
member Storck, to adopt Resolution #2717-5-07, Resolution Authorizing Fund
Transfers. Voting was as follows:
Council
member Carrington absent
Council
member Webster aye
Council
member Miller aye
Council
member Storck aye
Mayor
Giese aye
With all
present voting in favor, motion carried.
The second
resolution transfers money from the utility and liquor store funds to the West
8th Street project fund.
Mayor Giese asked what happens if the other property along the way is
developed. Larson noted the
property owners would be assessed when they connect to the services.
Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Storck, to adopt Resolution #2718-5-07,
Resolution Authorizing Fund Transfers.
Voting was as follows:
Council
member Webster abstain
Council
member Carrington absent
MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 22, 2007
Resolution
Authorizing Fund Transfers: (continued)
Council
member Storck aye
Council
member Miller aye
Mayor
Giese aye
With three
voting in favor, one absent and one abstaining, motion carried.
Resolution
for Airport Dedication: Larson
stated this resolution would transfer $5,000 from the airport hangar debt
service fund to the general fund.
These funds would be used for the dedication celebration being held June
16th at the airport.
Council
member Storck moved, seconded by Miller, to adopt Resolution #2719-5-07,
Resolution Authorizing Fund Transfers.
Voting was as follows:
Council
member Miller aye
Council
member Storck aye
Council
member Carrington absent
Council
member Webster aye
Mayor
Giese aye
With all
present voting in favor, motion carried.
Resolution
Adjusting the 2007 Budget:
This resolution adjusts the 2007 budget by adding the above mentioned
$5,000 transfer to the airport fund.
Mayor Giese moved, seconded by Council member Storck, to adopt
Resolution #2720-5-07, Resolution Adjusting the 2007 Budget. Voting was as follows:
Council
member Storck aye
Council
member Miller aye
Council
member Webster aye
Council
member Carrington absent
Mayor
Giese aye
With all
present voting in favor, motion carried.
PETITIONS,
REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS: Gambling
Reports: Mayor Giese moved,
seconded by Council member Miller, to accepting the gambling reports from the
West Central Trailblazers and Morris Hockey Association. Motion carried.
Community
Ed Information: Council member
Webster indicated Carrington asked him to inquire about the dumping in the
swimming hole at PDT Park and whether or not it was too close to the
river. Dittbenner indicated he did
not think it was too close and stated they may extend the culvert in that area
so the drainage is underground.
Council
member Webster moved, seconded by Mayor Giese, to accept the information from
community ed. Motion carried.
CITY
MANAGER’S REPORTS & RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation by Planning Commission to Have MN DOT Put up
Motor Vehicle Laws Enforced Signs:
Larson stated the Planning Commission has been dealing with the subject
of noise and one area that came up is the practice of “jake-braking” by
truckers. Larson indicated in the
recent past MN DOT has been requested by communities to erect “Vehicle Laws
Enforced”
MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 22, 2007
Recommendation
by Planning Commission to Have MN DOT Put up Motor Vehicle Laws Enforced Signs:
(continued)
signs. The Planning Commission has recommended
the city council approach MN DOT to erect similar signs at the entrances to
Morris.
Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Storck, to accept the Planning Commission’s
recommendation and direct City Manager Larson to write a letter to MN DOT
requesting the placement of “Vehicle Laws Enforced” signs. Motion carried.
Planning
Commission Minutes, 4/17/07:
Council member Webster moved, seconded by Mayor Giese, to accept the
4/17/07 planning commission minutes.
Motion carried.
Delinquent
Water Bill List: The following
list of delinquent water bills was presented to the council:
Mike
Nordquist 4
Skyview Lane 115.55
Cinda
Hetfield Carlson 21
Ridge Road 79.24
Lonnie
Anderson 18
Ridge Road 102.97
Zachary
Grant 103
S California 121.35
Mike
Meka 8
South Street 114.06
Christian
Sell 12
South Street 126.11
Wilber
Gahm 200
South Street 76.72
Grandview
Apts. 100
S Columbia Avenue 2,957.27
Peggy
Vaneps 11
South Street 101.61
Andy
Emmert 9
South Street 161.01
Vance
Gullickson 100
East 1st Street 134.61
Carol
Mohrman 106
East 1st Street 90.30
Vance
Gullickson 509
East 2nd Street 104.25
Don
Ritter 203
East 2nd Street 193.59
Barry
Nienhaus 210
East 3rd Street 121.41
Vance
Gullickson 101
East 3rd Street 148.68
Charles
Hennen 528
East 4th Street 32.83
Charles
Hennen 530
East 4th Street 117.98
Christopher
Miller 527
East 4th Street 128.30
Diane
Whelan 401
East 4th Street 73.81
Vance
Gullickson 107
East 4th Street 123.27
Dale
Peterson 402
East 6th Street 116.42
Joyce
Vaneps 403
East 7th Street 88.20
Jeff
Mangan 109
East 7th Street 67.87
Vance
Gullickson 105
East 7th Street 127.68
Carl
Moser 405
East 8th Street 142.53
David
Lindberg 101
East 8th Street 178.62
David
Lindberg 803
Oregon Avenue 80.78
Josh
Fischer 100
East 9th Street 62.15
Kelly
Nichols 104
East 9th Street 92.70
Brad
Weckman 108
East 9th Street 77.97
Vance
Gullickson 906
Colorado Avenue 56.19
Paul
Kopitzke 200
East 10th Street 56.02
MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 22, 2007
Delinquent Water Bill List:
(continued)
Eric
Giese 108
East 10th Street 98.47
Anderson
Acres 8
East Hwy 28 21.30
Paul
Pederson 705
½ Columbia Avenue 102.27
Don
Ritter 505
East 8th Street 140.43
Holly
Johnson 919
Columbia Avenue 100.04
Vance
Gullickson 406
Birch Avenue 174.95
Gordy
Braness 107
Thomas Street 86.01
Nick
Kieffer 11
Thomas Street 122.05
Kevin
Arbach 2
Riverside Road 52.70
Council member Miller moved,
seconded by Webster, to follow the usual procedure of turning the water off at
the above locations until the bill has been paid. Motion carried.
Interim Matters: Larson indicated he noticed from the
newsletter that Finance Director Krosschell would be appointed as the interim
city manager. Larson noted another
matter that needs to be taken care of is signatures on city checks. Larson suggested the two signatures
required on checks be that of Finance Director Krosschell and Deputy Clerk
Sandy Anderson.
Council member Storck moved,
seconded by Miller, to authorize Gene Krosschell and Sandy Anderson to sign
checks for the city in the interim until a new city manager is hired. Motion carried.
Mayor Giese moved, seconded by
Council member Webster, to appoint Gene Krosschell to serve as interim city
manager after June 30, 2007.
Motion carried.
Mayor Giese moved, seconded by
Council member Miller, to appoint Jim Thoreen, Ken Johnson, Gene Krosschell and
James Morales to the search committee for a new city manager. Motion carried.
Council member Webster stated he
hoped to have a woman on board and suggested exchanging Krosschell for a female
staffer. It was the consensus of
the council that this decision warrants Krosschell’s input. Giese stated the council could discuss
at the next worksession whether or not to add two more people to the committee.
NEW BUSINESS: Schedule Worksessions: Mayor Giese moved, seconded by Council
member Miller, to schedule worksessions for Thursday, May 24th and
Thursday, June 14th at 5:00 at City Hall. Motion carried.
PDT: Mayor Giese stated the area of Pomme de
Terre River below the dam is deteriorating. Larson noted that Julie Aadland from the DNR would be in
town June 5th and he would mention it to her.
OLD BUSINESS: Order to Repair: Dale Ritter was present at the meeting
to continue discussions from the last council meeting about the order to repair
for his property at 404 East 7th Street. Ritter indicated he met with the Building Official and City
Manager
MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 22, 2007
Order to Repair: (continued)
Larson and had hoped to come up
with a compromise but that did not happen. Ritter proposed the council vote the order down and issue
him a building permit to complete
the exterior of the home.
Ritter stated there is considerable
work needed to the interior of the home and circumstances would make it
impossible for him to complete that this summer. Ritter indicated he would start the repair of the roof
within the month. Ritter stated he
does not believe the order to repair is necessary and asked that the council
give him the opportunity to fix the home within his ability.
Mayor Giese stated part of the
reason for doing the order is that it starts the clock ticking. Giese noted that Ritter seems sincere
with the fact that he wants to fix up the property. Giese indicated he would be in favor of not proceeding with
the order, but to keep a close eye on the progress being made. Miller agreed, stating that things need
to get rolling but to set up some time frames. Miller pointed out the property is in a nice location with
the potential for rental income.
Webster suggested an itinerary from Ritter. Giese asked Ritter if he had obtained a building permit. Ritter stated he was waiting to see
what happened at this meeting.
Storck stated he would like to see this matter brought back in three
months to see where things are at.
Ritter stated he hoped to have a plan for the interior work by then.
Council member Storck moved,
seconded by Miller, to instruct Ritter to get a building permit and begin work
on the exterior of the house and to bring the matter back to the council at the
first meeting in September. Motion
carried.
Giese suggested Ritter contact Nora
Jost to see if there are any grant monies available. Ritter stated he had talked with Nora before but would check
with her again.
Gullickson Property: Larson indicated City Engineer Fier met
with Vance and they were going to turn the water off at the curb stop to see if
the leak continued.
Nuisance Property: Council member Storck asked about the
property next to Pat Meyers, noting that there is truck sitting on a trailer
that has been there for at least a month.
Video Taping of Council Meetings: Council member Webster stated he talked
with Josh Fischer and he intended to volunteer his services including helping
select equipment and coordinate volunteers. Webster noted Fischer would bring something to the next
meeting.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Worksession Minutes, 5/10/07: Mayor Giese moved, seconded by Council
member Webster, to approve the 5/10/07 worksession minutes. Motion carried.
MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 22, 2007
Revenue & Expenditure Report: This was informational for the council.
Building Permit List: 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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