|
MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – JUNE 24, 2008
The
regular meeting of the Morris City Council was called to order at 5:15 p.m.
this 24th day of June, 2008, 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 was
absent. Also present was City Manager
Hill, Finance Director Krosschell, Public Works Director Dittbenner, Fleet
Manager Searle, Police Chief Beauregard and City Attorney Glasrud.
READING
AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 6/10/08
Regular Meeting Minutes:
Council member Storck moved, seconded by Webster, to approve the 6/10/08
regular meeting minutes. Motion
carried.
6/10/08
Condensed Version: Council
member Webster moved, seconded by Miller, to approve the 6/10/08 condensed
version minutes. Motion carried.
AUDIT
OF CITY BILLS: Council member Miller
moved, seconded by Mayor Giese, to authorize payment of the City bills dated June
24, 2008. Upon a roll call vote
taken and all present voting in favor and Council member Storck abstaining, motion
carried.
CITIZEN’S
COMMENTS: None
ADDITION
TO AGENDA: Mayor Giese added
to the agenda a Resolution Approving an Agreement to Modify JOBZ Business
Subsidy Agreement.
PETITIONS,
REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS: SCMC
Administrative Report: Council
member Storck moved, seconded by Webster, to accept the May administrative
report from SCMC. Motion carried.
Gambling
Reports: Mayor Giese moved,
seconded by Council member Miller, to accept the gambling reports from the
Eagles, West Central Trailblazers and Met Lounge. Motion carried.
Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Storck, to accept the gambling report from the
American Legion. Upon a roll call
vote taken and all present voting in favor and Mayor Giese abstaining, motion
carried.
Application
for Exempt Permit: Council
member Webster moved, seconded by Miller, to approve the application for exempt
permit from the Assumption Church for September 7, 2008. Motion carried.
Resolution
Approving Agreement to Modify JOBZ Business Subsidy Agreement: City Attorney Glasrud stated the JOBZ
Business Subsidy Agreement with Westmor was entered into in 2006. Westmor was recently purchased by
Superior Industries and they want to continue to receive this same
benefit. Superior would still be
bound by all the terms and conditions of the JOBZ agreement.
Council
member Webster moved, seconded by Storck, to adopt Resolution #2809-6-08,
Resolution Approving Agreement to Modify JOBZ Business Subsidy Agreement. Upon a roll call vote taken and all
present voting in favor, motion carried.
PLEDGE
OF PARTNERSHIP – COPC & CITY:
David Fluegel of the Center for Small Towns was present at the meeting
and stated the recent COPC program between UMM and the city has resulted in
many joint accomplishments.
Fluegel read the proposed pledge of partnership which would continue
these endeavors and create the Carter Community Service Program to underwrite
UMM-guided student community service projects in the City of Morris. Mayor Giese and UMM Chancellor Johnson
signed the agreement on behalf of both entities.
CITY
MANAGER’S REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval of Budget Guidance & Timeline: Council member Webster asked about the
philanthropic activities. City
Manager Hill explained the city takes money from taxpayers for things the city
needs. Hill stated the city is not
philanthropic and there are things in the current budget that the city should
not be giving money towards. Some
examples include the Humane Society, Arts Council, Miss Midwest and the Chamber
of Commerce. Hill noted the State
Auditor makes it clear that cities have to be very careful what they spend
their money on. Hill
stated in some cases groups may not be doing as much as they could to raise
money on their own.
City
Attorney Glasrud pointed out that although something seems like a give away it
may enhance the quality of life for the citizens. Glasrud suggested in each case the need be justified. Hill noted once the door is opened
almost anything can be justified.
Mayor
Giese asked about the item which states the general fund balance should be
capped at 50%. Krosschell
indicated that is generally where the city is at, although there were a few
years when it has been a little bit above that percentage.
Webster
asked if there is a place in the budget where there is room for improvements
other than infrastructure. Hill
stated that would be the capital improvement fund.
Giese
asked about the recommendation of a budget with the anticipation of a 3% cut in
spending. Hill stated there is
still the potential for the city to lose LGA. Hill suggested the budget increases be limited to 3% but
also to have a back up plan just in case cuts have to be made.
Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Storck, to approve the proposed budget
guidance and timeline presented by the City Manager. Motion carried.
5/20/08
Planning Commission Minutes:
Council member Webster moved, seconded by Mayor Giese, to accept the
5/20/08 planning commission minutes.
Motion carried.
City
Manager Report: Hill noted
that the city is still having problems with the sub-contractor for the
boulevard work on West 6th Street. The city is also looking at changing the requirements for
excavation permits.
NEW
BUSINESS: Council member
Storck asked about the possibility of driving golf carts or four wheelers around
town. Storck indicated the city of
Willmar was drawing up an ordinance to allow them, but a person would have to
get a permit in order to drive them.
Police Chief Beauregard stated the city would have to have a specific
ordinance to allow that.
Beauregard also noted it is a safety issue and that Morris has many
uncontrolled intersections and a diverse driving base. Hill stated one big issue would be to
determine where it would be allowed.
Beauregard noted it would be cheaper to ride on the transit bus than to
get a golf cart and pay for gas and insurance.
Webster
suggested the council take a look at a city that has allowed them for a longer
period of time. Glasrud stated he
would have his intern look into this issue.
OLD
BUSINESS: Storck asked about
the house on East 4th Street.
Glasrud stated the house is secure and the lawn is being mowed. Glasrud indicated it may be prohibitively
expensive to pursue this person.
Hill pointed out Nora Jost from the HRA office would like to get in
touch with the owner about buying the property.
Mayor
Giese asked if the city would be spraying for mosquitoes. Public Works Director Dittbenner
indicated they would spray East Side Park for mosquitoes.
INFORMATIONAL
ITEMS: Revenue &
Expenditure Report: This was
informational for the council.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor
Giese adjourned the meeting at 6:24 p.m.
|
