DRAFT – These minutes are not official until approved at the next regular City Council meeting.

City of Bigfork

Special Meeting April 17, 2008

Members Present: Mayor Amy Tendrup, Richard Salmi, Jean Lexvold, Mike Stevens and Linda Koppelmann

Absent: none

Also Present: Public Works Superintendent Chuck Almhjeld

Mayor Tendrup called meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and stated that the meeting was called to discuss those items listed on the special meeting notice. She clarified that the only reason she agreed to call this meeting was to get the gambling license in place because that benefits the City as well as the business and organization.

Formal Approval of Claims Paid: As Storlie had not been present at the regular April meeting, the claims had not been formally approved. Storlie presented the claims paid for approval in the amount of $53,859.39 including the March 14th and 31st payrolls. Salmi wanted to change the uniform allowance so that receipts were required for purchases. Tendrup reported that the Personnel Committee was working on this issue and other issues in the policy as well. Motion to approve claims as presented by Lexvold, seconded by Salmi, motion carried unanimously (MCU).

Time Clock Policy: Storlie reported that the time clock approved by the Council at the regular April meeting was not the correct copy of the policy that the Personnel Committee had drafted. A statement had been inadvertently omitted which stated that manual entries on time cards would be allowed for those times when employees were working away from the time clock location.

Motion by Lexvold to approve the policy with the statement added, seconded by Koppelmann, MCU.

Liquor License Application: This item had been tabled at the regular April meeting due to the belief that Marcell Township should be the approving entity. Storlie clarified that since the Edge Center was located in the City of Bigfork, the City Council needed to approve or deny the application. Motion by Lexvold to approve the license for this year and to direct Storlie to inquire as to why the group did not hold the event in the City of Bigfork, seconded by Stevens, MCU.

City Clerk Advanced Academy: This item was tabled at the last meeting so that more information on the requirements of the union contract could be obtained. Storlie stated that even though CMC certification is not required for the City Clerk position and would not qualify her for a raise, she would still like to attend the training and earn the certification. She received a grant in the amount of $150 to attend. The remaining cost is $80 plus travel expenses. Motion by Salmi to approve Storlie’s attendance at the Advanced Academy with the understanding that CMC certification would not qualify her for a raise, seconded by Lexvold, MCU. Salmi added that he would like to see Storlie attend training for grant writing and she was directed to try to find such training.

MN Power Franchise: This item was tabled at the regular April meeting in order to obtain information on charging a franchise fee. Storlie has been unable to locate any other city that charges an electric franchise fee but is still looking. The item will be on the May Council agenda.

Gambling License Application: An application was received from Confidence Learning Center for a gambling permit at the Bigfork Wilderness Bar. The organization currently handling the gambling at this site will be done on May 1, 2008. As required by City ordinance, Police Chief Jon Babcock had reviewed the application and he recommended approval of the permit. Motion to approve the application by Lexvold, seconded by Koppelmann, MCU. Motion to approve Resolution 2007-23 by Koppelmann, seconded by Lexvold, MCU.

Payment Plan Request from TNT: TNT Real Estate, the owners of the mobile home park in the City, have requested a payment plan for their past due water and sewer account. The Council felt that since they had recently granted a six-month payment plan to another business in town that had a high bill due to a leak, they should give the owners of this property six months to bring their account up to date. Motion by Tendrup to extend a six-month period for payment of the past due amount, to waive late fees on the past due amount for six months, and to require that the account holder keep current month charges up to date, seconded by Stevens, MCU. Salmi wanted to know if there was anything the City could do to help improve the trailer court, especially now that it was for sale. Tendrup reported that Storlie had been in contact with Tarry Edington of the Itasca County Housing and Redevelopment Authority who was looking into the issue.

Mayor Tendrup adjourned the meeting at 6:26 p.m.

Angela L. Storlie

City Clerk/Treasurer