City of Bigfork
City Council Regular Meeting April 13, 2010 6:00 p.m. City Council Chambers
Members Present: Mayor Roger Logdahl, Linda Koppelmann, Amy Pifher and Mike Stevens
Members Absent: Bob Zimmer
Also Present: Caroline Welch, Warren Welch, Howard McKinney, Mike Bakke, Dianne Bakke, Gene Collins, Dan Heinecke, City Attorney John Licke, Casual Maintenance Laborer Chris Manske, City Engineer Mathew Pellinen, Public Works Superintendent Chuck Almhjeld, Police Chief Jon Babcock and City Clerk/Treasurer Michael McKinney.
Logdahl called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Water Utility Disconnections
Motion by Stevens, second by Pifher, to extend a 90-day grace period to delinquent customers that have contacted the City regarding payment of their past due balances, to immediately disconnect any delinquent customer that has failed to contact the City regarding payment of their past due balances and to add language to the Bigfork Code of Ordinances providing the City Council the option of extending a grace period to delinquent customers in such circumstances, Motion Carried Unanimously (MCU).
Public Forum
Howard McKinney addressed the Council regarding the budget.
Mike Stevens announced that he would resign his position on the City Council following May’s City Council meeting.
As no other individuals wished to address the Council, Logdahl closed the public forum at 6:24 p.m.
Engineering Updates
City Engineer Mathew Pellinen provided his report to the Council.
Liaison’s Reports
Police Liaison Mike Bakke provided his report to the Council.
Parks and Recreation Liaison Amy Pifher provided her report to the Council. She noted that one of the poles on the gazebo at the canoe landing is coming up from the ground and needs repair.
Cemetery Liaison Mike Stevens provided his report to the Council.
2009 Audit Presentation
Don Zierke from Miller McDonald presented his 2009 audit report to the Council.
Agenda
Koppelmann asked that the agenda include an item regarding the upcoming vacancy on the City Council.
Motion by Koppelmann, second by Stevens, to approve the agenda as amended, MCU.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Pifher to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
Item #1 approval of the minutes of the March 9, 2010 regular City Council meeting Item #2 approval of the Police Report for March 2010, including the following incidents: 1. Careless Driving (1) 2. Controlled Access Violation (1) 3. Speed Other (1) 4. Assault Domestic MS (2) 5. Theft From Building/Garage (1) 6. Property Damage/Public (1) 7. Detox Male Adult (1) 8. Falsely Report Crime (1) 9. Public Nuisance (1) 10. Transport Med/Hosp (1) 11. Public Assist (1) Item #3 approval of the City Clerk’s Office Report for March 2010 Item #4 approval of the Financial Report for March 2010 Item #5 approval of the Public Works Department Report for March 2010 Item #6 approval of Claims Paid in the amount of $10,708.05 including the March 15th and 31st net payrolls and approval of Claims for Payment in the amount of $44,025.29.
Motion seconded by Koppelmann, MCU.
Unfinished Business
Personnel Harassment Report
City Attorney Licke came forward to present the results of his investigation of employee harassment to the Council, including steps that the City should take to address this situation.
Motion by Koppelmann, second by Pifher, to instruct the City Clerk/Treasurer and the City Attorney to move forward with drafting harassment and computer use policies, MCU. Police Department Budget Update - Health Insurance
The Council discussed a proposed increase in the 2010 Police Department budget for health insurance to fully cover the costs for the Police Chief’s insurance coverage through the remainder of the year. The Council also discussed the possibility of contracting police services to the City of Effie.
No formal action was taken on this agenda item, although the Council did not object to full funding of the Police Chief’s health insurance for 2010 at the rate of $611.35 per month until June and $677 per month thereafter.
New Business
Insurance for Bigfork Wilderness Days/Airport Grand Opening
City Clerk/Treasurer McKinney noted that he is currently working with Kevin Hovila to determine the level of responsibility that the City has for insuring these two events and added that he will provide more information at the May Council meeting.
No formal action was taken on this agenda item.
Police Department Review of City Ordinances
Police Chief Babcock reported that he found discrepancies and other issues in the Bigfork Code of Ordinances regarding the enforcement of local ordinances. The Council asked that he provide a list of issues at the next Council meeting for their review.
No formal action was taken on this agenda item.
Airport Grand Opening Celebration
Pifher presented an update on the Airport Grand Opening Celebration. She added that some pilots had an interest in camping at the airport during the weekend of the event
Motion by Pifher, second by Koppelmann, to permit tent camping at the Bigfork Municipal Airport during the weekend of the Grand Opening Celebration for pilots and their passengers with no other form of transportation and to permit those pilots to function as security at the airport during their stay, MCU.
Ordinance #161 – Creating Fees for Fulfilling Public Records Requests
The Council reviewed an ordinance granting the City Clerk/Treasurer the authority to charge any individual making a public records request a fee in order to fulfill that request.
Motion by Stevens, second by Pifher, to approve Ordinance #161 as submitted, MCU.
Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council Appointment
The City Council requested that the City Clerk/Treasurer post announcements indicating that the City Council and the Planning & Zoning Commission are seeking individuals interested in serving on either body.
No formal action was taken on this agenda item, although Amy Pifher was added as a temporary appointee for the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting in May until a permanent appointee could be named.
Streetlight Utility Ownership
City Clerk/Treasurer McKinney discussed a recommendation from the Budget Committee supporting the sale of City-owned streetlights to Minnesota Power.
Motion by Stevens, second by Koppelmann, to approve the sale of all City-owned streetlights to Minnesota Power, MCU.
Approval of Reclassification and Sale of Tax-Forfeited Land
City Clerk/Treasurer McKinney noted that Itasca County wants to sell a tax-forfeited parcel within the City limits at auction this fall and sought the City’s input regarding the classification of the parcel as non-conservation, which would permit the County to sell the parcel.
Motion by Stevens, second by Pifher, to not object to the classification of Parcel 85-430-0320 as a non-conservation parcel, MCU.
Other Business
Police Chief Babcock asked if the Council would permit him to continue to use the City’s internet access currently provided at his residence as long as he reimburses the City for the portion of the phone bill covering his internet access.
No formal action was taken on this agenda item, although the Council did not object to the Police Chief using the City’s internet access currently provided at his home as long as he reimburses the City for the portion of the phone bill covering his internet access.
Closed Session for Discussion of Labor Negotiation Strategy
Closed Session for Casual Maintenance Laborer Performance Review
The City Council conducted its probationary performance review of Casual Maintenance Laborer Chris Manske. The Council deemed the Casual Maintenance Laborer’s performance as satisfactory for all points of review.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
Michael McKinney City Clerk/Treasurer