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MINUTES
– MORRIS CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – AUGUST 12, 2008
The
regular meeting of the Morris City Council was called to order at 5:15 p.m.
this 12th day of August, 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 Carrington, Webster, Miller, Storck and Mayor Giese. Also present was City Manager Hill,
Finance Director Krosschell, Public Works Director Dittbenner and Police Chief
Beauregard.
READING
AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 7/22/08
Regular Meeting Minutes:
Council member Webster moved, seconded by Storck, to approve the 7/22/08
regular meeting minutes. Motion carried.
7/22/08
Condensed Version: Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Webster, to approve the 7/22/08 condensed
version minutes. Motion carried.
ADDITION
TO AGENDA: Mayor Giese added
to the agenda a Resolution Appointing Judges for the State Primary Election on
September 9, 2008.
AUDIT
OF CITY BILLS: Council member Webster
moved, seconded by Miller, to authorize payment of the City bills dated August
12, 2008. Upon a roll call vote
taken and all voting in favor and Council member Storck abstaining, motion
carried.
Pay
Estimate #3 – Oregon Avenue/College Avenue & Circle Pines: Mayor Giese moved, seconded by Council
member Storck to authorize pay estimate #3 for $278,639.18 to Riley Brothers
Construction for work on the Oregon Avenue/College Avenue & Circle Pines
project. Motion carried.
CITIZEN’S
COMMENTS: None
PETITIONS,
REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS: Gambling
Report: Council member Miller
moved, seconded by Mayor Giese, to accept the gambling report from the West
Central Trailblazers. Motion
carried.
Application
for On/Off Sale Malt Beverage License: Council member Carrington moved, seconded by Webster, to
approve the on sale malt beverage license for the American Legion for the beer
gardens at the Stevens County Fair, August 13-17, 2008. Upon a roll call vote taken and all
voting in favor and Mayor Giese abstaining, motion carried.
Application
for Exempt Permit: Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Storck, to approve the application for exempt
permit from Stevens County Ducks Unlimited for a raffle to be held on September
20, 2008. Motion carried.
ORDINANCES
AND RESOLUTIONS: Public
Hearing and 2nd Reading of Ordinance No. 81, An Ordinance Regulating
the Use of Golf Carts and All-Terrain Vehicles on City Streets: Mayor Giese opened the public hearing
at 5:25 p.m. Police Chief
Beauregard stated the changes from the first reading are that the age limit has
been changed from 21 to 18 and also that vehicles can only be operated from
sunrise to sunset. The ordinance
indicates the fees will be set via resolution and Beauregard is recommending it
be set at $25.00 per license. This
would cover their cost in conducting the background check and issuance of the
permit.
Mayor
Giese stated his concern about the age being changed to 18. Beauregard stated it was decided that
there were some 18 year old adults who would get left out if the age limit was
left at 21. Beauregard indicated
they plan to watch it really closely and see how it goes. Randy Sims noted there had been some
talk about age discrimination as well.
Beauregard explained he has talked with the University and they do not
see it as a big issue and they
have their own parking restrictions.
It was noted
that with a golf cart nothing other than a driver’s license is needed but with
a four-wheeler you would need a separate DNR permit.
Council
member Storck stated he doesn’t like the fact that the permit goes with the
driver and not the cart, because if both he and his wife wanted to drive a cart
it would cost them $50.00. Beauregard
pointed out it would be too hard to control because each driver needs to have a
permit and a background check done.
City Manager Hill indicated there would be a resolution on the next
agenda to adjust the fees and review the forms.
Storck
asked about crossing Hwy 59 to get access to Pomme de Terre Park. Beauregard indicated it is a state law
that you can’t operate these types of vehicles on a state highway. Dennis Fuhrman explained it was his
understanding that there would be an exception made so that golf carts would be
allowed on the walking path to get out to Riverside, but walkers would still
have the right-of-way. Beauregard
stated with regard to the park it is part of an old agreement with the state
that because of it being considered a refuge there are no motorized vehicles
allowed, other than the cars coming and going into the park.
Mayor
Giese closed the public hearing at 5:38 p.m. and brought the matter back to the
council for action.
Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Storck, to accept this as the second reading
and adopt Ordinance No. 81, An Ordinance Regulating the Use of Golf Carts and
All-Terrain Vehicles on City Streets.
Upon a roll call vote taken and all voting in favor, motion carried.
Resolution
to Enter Into an Agreement with School District No. 769: Mayor Giese moved, seconded by Council
member Webster, to adopt Resolution #2815-8-08, Resolution to Enter Into an
Agreement with School District No. 769.
Upon a roll call vote taken and all voting in favor, motion carried.
Resolution
to Enter Into an Agreement with the State of MN for Transit Service: Finance Director Krosschell pointed out
the city is looking at a rate increase for 2009. Council member Webster moved, seconded by Carrington, to
adopt Resolution #2816-8-08, Resolution to Enter Into an Agreement with the
State of MN for Transit Services.
Upon a roll call vote taken and all voting in favor, motion carried.
Resolution
Appointing Judges for the State Primary Election on September 9, 2008: Council member Miller moved,
seconded by Storck, to adopt Resolution #2817-8-08, Resolution Appointing
Judges for the State Primary Election on September 9, 2008. Upon a roll call vote taken and all
voting in favor, motion carried.
CITY
MANAGER’S REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS: Morris Fire Relief Association Report: According to the report the city is not
required to make a contribution to the relief association. Mayor Giese asked if the city
contributed in 2008. Hill noted
the city did contribute in 2008 and as of right now there is a contribution in
the budget for 2009.
City
Manager Report: The council
discussed the boulevards on West 6th Street and what could be done
to get the matter completed. The
council instructed City Manager Hill to contact Joe or John Riley to see how
this should be handled.
The
council discussed the issue of the semi-trailers in the privately owned lot by
Don’s Café. No action was taken
after the discussion.
NEW/OLD
BUSINESS: Storck asked about
the 25 hr. speed limit on Columbia Avenue when school is not in session. Beauregard stated the new sidewalk,
along with the Safe Routes to School program, encourages walking/biking along
that street and did not feel increasing the speed while school was not in
session was a good idea. Storck
also asked about moving the four way stop from 5th Street &
Columbia to 4th Street & Columbia due to increased traffic in
that area. Beauregard stated that
may be something to look at.
INFORMATIONAL
ITEMS: July Transit Report: This was informational for the council.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor
Giese adjourned the meeting at 6:11 p.m.
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