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MINUTES
-MORRIS CITY COUNCIL–REGULAR MEETING – SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
The
regular meeting of the Morris City Council was called to order at 5:15 p.m.
this 8th day of September, 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, Fleet Manager
Searle and City Attorney Glasrud.
READING
AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 8/26/08
Regular Meeting Minutes:
Council member Storck moved, seconded by Miller, to approve the 8/26/08
regular meeting minutes. Motion
carried.
8/26/08
Condensed Version: Council
member Webster moved, seconded by Mayor Giese, to approve the 8/26/08 condensed
version minutes. Motion carried.
AUDIT
OF CITY BILLS: Council member Miller
moved, seconded by Webster, to authorize payment of the City bills dated September
8, 2008. Upon a roll call vote
taken and all voting in favor and Council member Storck abstaining, motion
carried.
Pay
Estimate #4 – Oregon Avenue/College Avenue & Circle Pines: Council member Carrington moved,
seconded by Council member Storck to authorize pay estimate #4 for $228,495.96
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: None
ORDINANCES
AND RESOLUTIONS: Resolution
to Adopt the Stevens County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan: Mayor Giese moved, seconded by Council
member Webster, to adopt Resolution #2824-9-08, Resolution to Adopt the Stevens
County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Upon a roll call vote taken and all voting in favor, motion carried.
Resolution
Calling for a Preliminary Assessment Hearing for the Highland Homes Addition
Public Improvement Project: City
Manager Hill explained this is a large group of approximately 95 parcels which
will have an estimated assessment of $9,000-$10,000. Hill noted Key Row apartments has 88 apartments in five
buildings, and even if the council adjusted their assessment similar to Bankord’s
it would still be 24 units. Hill
indicated $12,000-$18,000 is the appraised value of the improvements for
residential properties.
Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Webster, to adopt Resolution #2825-9-08,
Resolution Calling for a Preliminary Assessment Hearing for the Highland Homes
Addition Public Improvement Project.
Upon a roll call vote taken and all voting in favor, motion carried.
Resolution
Authorizing a Topographical Survey of the Old Elementary School Property: Hill noted he is including money in
next year’s budget for a plat of the area and this survey will tie in nicely
with that.
Council
member Webster moved, seconded by Mayor Giese, to adopt Resolution #2826-9-08,
Resolution Authorizing a Topographical Survey of the Old Elementary School
Property. Upon a roll call vote
taken and all present voting in favor, motion carried.
Resolution
Accepting a Bid for Tank Removal at the Old Elementary School Property: Council member Storck moved, seconded
by Miller, to adopt Resolution #2827-9-08, Resolution Accepting a Bid for Tank
Removal at the Old Elementary School Property. Upon a roll call vote taken and all present voting in favor,
motion carried.
Resolution
Approving the Preliminary 2009 Budget for the City of Morris: Hill stated he would like to use the
first meeting in November to go through the budget. The proposed budget has an overall budget increase of
4.95%. The proposed levy has a
decrease of 5.52%. Hill indicated
the big thing to keep in mind is that the debt service levy went up 56% as the
city is borrowing more money for bigger projects. Hill pointed out the city needs to be prepared for cuts if
the state’s budget comes in with a deficit and they decide to balance it with
decreases in local government aid.
Fuel costs continue to rise and are estimated at $3.85 per gallon.
Council
member Miller asked if anything was included in the budget for the demolition
of the old school. Hill stated
nothing but the platting was included.
Carrington asked about a model home being built on the site next year . Hill noted if that happens it would be
through a grant.
Miller
asked if any money other than franchise fees was going towards street
repairs. Krosschell stated there
is municipal state aid as well. Hill
noted the West 8th Street account is not closed out yet and has a
deficit of $70,000. Hill stated there
are more millings and overlays included in next year’s budget.
Council
member Storck moved, seconded by Carrington, to adopt Resolution #2828-9-08,
Resolution Approving the Preliminary 2009 Budget for the City of Morris. Upon a roll call vote taken and all
voting in favor, motion carried.
Resolution
Approving the Proposed 2008 Tax Levy, Collectible in 2009: Council member Webster moved, seconded
by Miller, to adopt Resolution #2829-9-08, Resolution Approving the Proposed
2008 Tax Levy, Collectible in 2009.
Upon a roll call vote taken and all voting in favor, motion carried.
CITY
MANAGER’S REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS: City Manager Report: Hill reminded everyone that there are Thursday morning
meetings at City Hall if anyone has questions about the downtown project.
Hill noted
if people have concerns about the placement of trees along Hwy 28 they should
contact Sue Granger.
Hill asked
for help from the public for people willing to serve as election judges for the
City of Morris.
NEW/OLD
BUSINESS: None
INFORMATIONAL
ITEMS: August Transit
Report: This was informational
for the council.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor
Giese adjourned the meeting at 5:52 p.m.
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