|
MINUTES–MORRIS
CITY COUNCIL–REGULAR MEETING–DECEMBER 9, 2008
The
regular meeting of the Morris City Council was called to order at 5:15 p.m.
this 9th day of December, 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 members Carrington,
Webster, Miller, Storck and Mayor Giese.
Also present were City Manager Hill, Fleet Manager Searle, Police Chief
Beauregard, Finance Director Krosschell, and Public Works Director
Dittbenner. City Attorney Glasrud
arrived at 5:17.
READING
AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 11/25/08
Regular Meeting Minutes:
Council member Storck moved, seconded by Miller, to approve the 11/25/08
regular meeting minutes. Motion
carried.
11/25/08
Condensed Version: Council
member Carrington moved, seconded by Mayor Giese, to approve the 11/25/08
condensed version minutes. Motion
carried.
AUDIT
OF CITY BILLS: Discussion was
held on the cost of the City’s quarterly newsletter. Council member Storck moved, seconded by Webster, to
authorize payment of the City bills dated December 9, 2008. Upon a roll call vote taken and all
present voting in favor, motion carried.
CITIZEN’S
COMMENTS: Stewardship
Program Report: Roger McCannon
and Sal Monteagudo were present representing Stevens FORWARD! McCannon indicated this project was
envisioned as a 2-year endeavor. Stevens
FORWARD is funded through a variety of sources including the county and five
cities in the county, townships, UMM, financial institutions and other local
businesses. He indicated they have
been guided by a professional team of planners and economic developers from
Bemidji. On October 14th
they announced their Destiny Statement and Destiny Drivers.
He
indicated they have entered into Phase 2 where they are in the process of
identifying champions of each Driver.
He indicated each steward will identify champions.
Monteagudo
indicated they are trying to include other cities in Stevens County in the
process.
A question
from the public was asked regarding the 2015 destiny driver that states Stevens
County will be the first carbon neutral county in the world, demonstrating
viable models for green housing, neighborhoods and public buildings. McCannon indicated Don Reicosky is
working on this. McCannon
indicated he does not know how this will be accomplished but indicated there
will be a plan put in place.
Another
question was raised regarding green housing. McCannon indicated some of that is coming out of previous
work on the old elementary school site where green housing is being planned. Monteagudo indicated the UMM campus is
also working on a green residential hall.
McCannon
indicated Stevens FORWARD also has a request for a donation from the City.
Carrington
asked what happens to the project after 2 years. McCannon indicated their consultants told them that with any
kind of community development, they hope it will not stop. He feels the potential for attracting
outside funding is great.
Webster
asked how stewards will be involved in the individual drivers. McCannon indicated they have been
assigned or volunteered to be the lead in those drivers.
PUBLIC
HEARINGS: Truth in Taxation
Hearing: City Manager Hill
reviewed information regarding the City’s 2009 budget and 2008 levy year.
Hill
indicated the State is in a huge budget crisis right now. Cities usually get their final Local
Government Aid (LGA) payment the end of December. It is questionable whether the City will receive its entire $1
million dollar payment at that time.
Also, earlier in the year, the State appropriated an additional $365,518
of LGA for the City of Morris. The
thought now is that the City will not receive that payment.
One budget
consideration is the elimination of contributions to non-profits. Hill indicated the City’s commitment to
the Stevens FORWARD project discussed earlier in the meeting was a 2-year
commitment, so the City will probably go ahead with that contribution. Elimination of the City’s contribution
to the Chamber of Commerce is another consideration. However, the City is considering the implementation of a 3%
lodging tax, and that money would have to be spent on promotion of the
City.
A levy
comparison from 2007 to 2008 shows a 5.52% levy decrease. The market value of property increased
7.856% from 2008 to 2009. The
City’s tax capacity, which the City has no control over, increased 7.82% from
2008 to 2009.
In the
overall budget comparison, the total budget increase is 8.799%, however that
includes the use of reserves in some funds.
Hill
pointed out the major funding source for the City is State tax money.
The
primary funding source for the capital improvement fund is franchise fees. The City has reserve money it will use
for next year’s projects.
The
capital outlay fund shows a total budget increase of 249.05%, which includes
the extra LGA from the State. If
this LGA is not received by the City, those funds will not be spent.
Hill
reviewed the Library Fund, TIF District Funds, Debt Service Funds, the Public
Utility Fund, the Refuse Fund, the Liquor Store Fund, and the Central Garage
Fund.
Webster
asked what the City keeps in reserves in the overall budget. Hill indicated it was about $1.5
million in the general fund in 2007.
Jerry
Lesmeister, 502 East 4th Street, asked why, if the City’s taxes went
down, his City taxes went up. Hill
indicated that is because the valuation of his property was increased. Lesmeister indicated his County tax is
going up 13%. He feels there is an
imbalance because he uses more City services than County services.
Lesmeister
asked if the City charges Engebretson Sanitary Disposal for billing on the
garbage service. Hill indicated
the City does charge Engebretson’s an administrative fee.
Lesmeister
asked if the City could give property owners 3 years notice if there will be an
assessment on their property so they could start to save money to pay the
assessment. Hill indicated the
City works off a five-year plan.
He pointed out property owners get two notices on assessments – the
first is at the beginning of the project, and the second is when the project is
nearly complete. City Attorney
Glasrud indicated the council discusses projects well in advance. Giese indicated he doesn’t feel any
projects the city has done have been secrets. He also indicated he feels the city is paying for a long
period of non-construction and is now trying to catch up. Finance Director Krosschell pointed out
the city gives people 15 years to pay their assessments. Miller pointed out it would be hard to
guess what projects might cost five years down the road.
Lesmeister
asked what the City has in reserves.
Hill indicated there is $1.5 million in the general fund. He stated the City’s reserves are for
cash flow.
PETITIONS,
REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS: Human
Rights Commission Award: This
item has been postponed until the December 23rd meeting.
State
Gambling Report: Council
member Miller moved, seconded by Storck, to accept the state gambling report
from the Eagles for October.
Motion carried unanimously.
Applications
for Exempt Permits: Council
member Webster moved, seconded by Storck, to approve the Applications for
Exempt Permits from St. Mary’s School and the Minnesota Deer Hunter’s Association. Motion carried unanimously.
2009
Licenses: Council member
Miller moved, seconded by Webster, to approve licenses for 2009 contingent upon
receiving liquor liability insurance for those that have not yet provided it. Motion carried unanimously.
ORDINANCES
AND RESOLUTIONS: Resolution
Appointing an Airport Engineer:
Hill explained that because the City receives funding from the Federal
Aviation Administration, the City is required to get proposals from engineering
firms to provide services for the Morris Airport. Six proposals were received: TKDA Engineers, Architects and Planners out of St. Paul, MN
(who currently are in partnership with the City’s consulting engineers WSN);
Bolten and Menk, Inc. of Willmar; Kadrmas, Lee and Jackson Engineers and
Surveyors of Moorhead; Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. of St. Paul; Ulteig
Engineers of Fargo, ND; and Karvakko Engineering of Bemidji.
After
reviewing the proposals, Hill recommends the firm of TKDA Engineers, Architects
and Planners.
Council
member Storck moved, seconded by Webster, to adopt Resolution #2840-12-08, A
Resolution Designating TKDA Engineering as the Airport Engineer for the Morris
Municipal Airport. Upon a roll
call taken and all voting in favor, motion carried unanimously.
Resolution
Adopting the City of Morris Transit Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy: Krosschell indicated new Federal rules
adopted in the past year require that the City update its policy. The biggest change is observing
collectors and the collection process. Council member Webster moved, seconded by
Carrington, to adopt Resolution #2841-12-08, a Resolution Adopting the City of
Morris Transit Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy. Upon a roll call taken and all voting in favor, motion
carried unanimously.
CITY
MANAGER’S REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Budget Shortfall Talking Points: Hill indicated these talking points are
from Flaherty and Hood which is the primary lobbying firm for Minnesota cities.
He recommended that all council
members contact their legislators and let them know how important LGA is to our
city.
City
Manager Report: Storck asked
when the city gets its last LGA payment of the year. Hill replied it is received the end of December. He stated he has met with department
heads and they discussed freezing all non-essential spending until we find out
what is going to happen. Storck
asked about construction. Hill
indicated construction is bonded for, but the city must look at how much more
debt it wants to levy for 2010.
Hill
indicated the city received an email from the League that indicated the federal
government is looking at a stimulus package and they want to put money into
infrastructure, so it’s possible the city may get some federal dollars to help
with roads.
NEW
BUSINESS: None.
OLD
BUSINESS: None.
INFORMATIONAL
ITEMS: November Transit
Report: Krosschell indicated a
record year is expected in the transit department.
Get
Broadband Final Report: This
was informational for the Council.
Water
Treatment Plant: Jerry
Lesmeister noted the gate at the water treatment plant has been open
lately. Hill will check into
this.
Minutes
of Human Rights Committee Meeting:
Webster noted that even though the Human Rights Award was not presented
tonight, the minutes of their meeting should be approved. Council member Webster moved, seconded
by Giese, to accept the minutes of the 11/19/08 Human Rights Committee meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor
Giese adjourned the meeting at 6:35.
|
