MINUTES– MORRIS CITY
COUNCIL–REGULAR MEETING– JULY 14, 2009
The regular meeting of the
Morris City Council was called to order at 5:15 p.m. this 14th day
of July, 2009, 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,
Storck and Mayor Giese. Council member Carrington arrived at 5:17 p.m. Council
member Miller arrived at 5:26 p.m. Also present was Finance Director
Krosschell, Police Chief Beauregard, Public Works Director Dittbenner and City
Attorney Glasrud. City Engineer Fier arrived at 5:36 p.m.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:
Mayor Giese added the following items to the agenda: 1)Application for Exempt
Permits from the Morris Rifle Club and the Stevens County Humane Society;
2)Resolution Entering Into a Contract for Services; 3)Authorization for
Appraisal Services for Upcoming Projects.
CITIZEN’S COMMENTS:
Petition from Highland Drive Residents: No one was present at the
meeting representing the Highland Drive residents. The residents on Highland
Drive presented a petition to the city asking that their street remain at a 40’
width, instead of the 36’ standard that was included in the plan. Giese noted
a special meeting was requested due to the timeline. Giese declined calling a
special meeting last week because he felt this was not similar to the issues discussed
for Sunnyslope.
Hill explained that Highland
Drive is really used just by the residents. Hill noted the storm sewer has
been set and if the council voted to change the width it would have to be
reset. Kuechle Construction is done with all the underground work and are pulling
out all of their equipment.
Council member Storck
moved, seconded by Mayor Giese, to acknowledge receipt of the information from
the residents of Highland Drive but to take no action and leave the street
width at the design plan of 36’.
Fire Relief Association:
Fire Chief Storck was present at the meeting and stated the fire
department/relief association has some budget concerns and would like to have a
meeting with the council to talk about these items.
Giese noted that what is
being talked about is the city’s contribution to the relief association and
this is mainly a perception issue more than anything. Council member Storck
stated at the last worksession the idea was that the city manager would go talk
to the firemen so there would be no misconceptions and hard feelings.
Hill stated the first step
in the process was going to be to have a worksession with the council about his
recommendations as a city manager. Hill explained that the city does not want
to cut full time employees and needs to focus on the operations of
the city. Hill explained
that the city receives almost all of it’s money from the state and there is very
little in the general fund that comes from the local taxpayers. Hill noted that
when the state is looking at cutting half a million dollars over the next three
years, the city then needs to ask whether taxes need to be raised or if the
city needs to try and streamline business. Hill stated he plans to explain the
retirement system for the firemen and his logic in how the city budget is put
together.
Council member Storck
stated his concern is that the firemen are loosing $40,000 and community ed and
economic development are only getting a 5% cut. Hill explained that part of
that amount is simply a readjustment of an estimate.
It was the consensus of
the council that a worksession was a good idea.
Hill pointed out that the
fire department benefit is set right now and that amount is covered by the
pension fund. If it wasn’t, the city would be required by law to put money into
it.
Mayor Giese moved,
seconded by Webster, to schedule a worksession for Thursday, July 23rd
at 5:15 p.m. at the Fire Hall with the Fire Department and the Relief Association.
Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None
READING AND APPROVAL OF
MINUTES: 6/23/09 Regular Meeting Minutes: Council member Webster
moved, seconded by Storck, to approve the 6/23/09 regular meeting minutes.
Motion carried.
6/23/09 Condensed Version
Minutes: Council member Webster moved, seconded by Storck, to approve the
6/23/09 condensed version minutes. Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Mayor Giese moved, seconded by Council member Carrington, to approve the
consent agenda, which included the following items:
A.
Audit of City Bills
B.
Gambling Report
C.
Application for Exempt Permit –
MN Deer Hunter’s Association
D.
June Transit Report
E.
Building Permit List
F.
Arbor Day Correspondence
G.
Application for Exempt Permit –
Morris Rifle Club
H. Application
for Exempt Permit – Stevens County Humane Society
PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND
COMMUNICATIONS: None
ORDINANCES
AND RESOLUTIONS: Resolution Entering Into a Contract for Services:
Hill explained this is for assessing services with the county. Council member
Carrington moved, seconded by Webster, to adopt Resolution #2877-7-09, A
Resolution Entering Into a Contract for Services. Upon a roll call vote taken
and all voting in favor, motion carried.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS
& RECOMMENDATIONS: City Manager Report: This was informational
for the council.
Authorization for
Appraisal Services for Upcoming Projects: Hill recommended the council
accept the quote for appraisals from Nagell Appraisal & Consulting for East
2nd Street, East 8th & 9th Street and the 17
acres of elementary school property.
Council member Miller
moved, seconded by Storck, to accept the quote for appraisals from Nagell
Appraisal and Consulting for East 2nd Street from Atlantic Avenue to
the East end of 2nd Street; East 8th Street starting from
College Avenue to Columbia Avenue; East 9th Street from College
Avenue to Columbia Avenue; Arizona Avenue from East 7th Street to
East 9th Street; and the 17 acres of old elementary school property.
Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS: None
OLD BUSINESS:
None
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
None
ADJOURNMENT: There
being no further business, Mayor Giese adjourned the meeting at 5:55 p.m.
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