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

City of Bigfork

Regular Meeting December 11, 2007

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

Absent: none

Also Present: City Engineer Julie Kennedy, Public Works Superintendent Chuck Almhjeld, Warren & Caroline Welch, Dave Waters, Jim Manske, Gene Collins, Roger Logdahl, Police Chief Jon Babcock, Jack Bogenreif, H. Gene Ward and Mike Larson

Mayor Tendrup called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Public Forum: Tendrup asked anyone wishing to address the Council to do so at this time. Gene Collins stated he wished to speak during the discussion on the streetlight utility issue. As no one else wished to address the Council, the public forum was closed.

Tendrup listed some additions to the agenda including clarification of the union bargaining unit, a letter to the hospital, licensure and raise for the Public Works Assistant, a request for water bill credits, an administrative fine amendment and private wastewater training. Motion to approve the agenda as amended by Lexvold, seconded by Koppelmann, motion carried unanimously (MCU).

Consent Agenda Salmi requested that the claims be removed for further discussion.

#1- approval of the minutes of the November 13th regular City Council meeting, the December 4, 2007 City Council work session and the May 29th, August 8th, and August 21st Budget Committee meetings

#2- approval of the Police Report for November 2007

#3- approval of the City Clerk’s Office Report for November 2007

#4- approval of the Financial Report for November 2007

#5- approval of the Public Works Department report for November 2007

#6- approval of the meeting schedules for 2008 for the City Council, Planning & Zoning Commission and Safety Committee

#7- removed for further discussion

Motion by Lexvold to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Koppelmann, MCU.

Copies of documentation relating to any consent agenda item are available at the City Clerk’s office.

Consent Agenda Item #7: Salmi questioned claims from Bigfork Oil and asked about the possibility of heating City Hall with LP from Northwest Gas. Salmi questioned bill from General Repair and Almhjeld explained that the bill was for work at the main lift station and we would be getting a portion of that back from the insurance company. Motion by Salmi, seconded by Lexvold to approve the claims paid in the amount of $17,264.47, including the November 15th and 30th payrolls, and the claims for payment in the amount of $50,827.65, MCU.

Commissioners' Reports: Airport Commissioner Salmi reported that snow removal at the airport looked good. The gate needs adjustment where it locks.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Engineer's Updates: City Engineer Julie Kennedy's first update was water and sewer rates and she reported that, as discussed at the work session earlier in the evening, there would be a restructuring in both water and sewer rates and she would have proposed rates ready for the special meeting set for Thursday, December 27, 2007.

Kennedy's next item was the city base map. The City had budgeted for a base map of the utilities to be done in 2008 and Kennedy had wanted to get started on this prior to snowfall but we didn't make that timeline. Kennedy will have a proposal for this project at the March or April meeting.

It is time to update the airport Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Kennedy reviewed each item on the plan and the Council made changes to some of the dates and added a line item for a dump truck/plow to be purchased in 2009. Motion to direct Kennedy to submit the CIP on behalf of the City by Salmi, seconded by Koppelmann, MCU.

Kennedy's final item was the Edge of the Wilderness Comprehensive Plan. Tim Johnson has commented that there should be a few bullet points included on future projects that the City is looking at doing. This will help us when it comes to applying for grants by allowing us to point to a comp plan that we are following in our project planning. Council was in favor of Kennedy working with Johnson to make the additions.

Salmi stated that the City needs to have a representative on the Iron Range Resources (IRR) committee and suggested that the City Clerk begin attending the meetings. It was Kennedy and Tendrup's understanding that only elected officials could serve on the committee and it was unknown if any openings existed at this time. Storlie was directed to look into this.

The City's grant with the IRR for the airport mound system will expire on December 31, 2007 and the City needs to write a letter asking for an extension and stating the reason. Storlie will do this.

Bigfork Township - 2008 Beach Operation: Tendrup reported that Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jean Lexvold had talked with the Bigfork Township Board on what should be done with the beach. Representatives from the Township Board also met with the Planning & Zoning Commission and discussed a few possibilities including doing a two year lease of the property. The Township would take over training, hiring, scheduling and supervising the lifeguards. The City would continue to perform routine maintenance on the property and insure it. Tendrup noted that City Attorney Andy Shaw would have to be consulted to draw up a lease and operation agreement. Motion to approve Lexvold and Storlie to work with the Township and Shaw on a lease and operation agreement by Salmi, seconded by Stevens, MCU. The Township was thanked for their support in prior years and their willingness to work together on this issue.

Property for Cemetery Expansion: The City received a letter from Itasca County stating that they were willing to give no more than five acres of property to the City through a special use deed. They also requested that the City pay the cost of appraising the property, which was $600, have the property surveyed and the corners marked, and allow the County to salvage the timber prior to the property's development. Storlie consulted with Cemetery Sexton Jerry Pula who stated his desire to acquire at least ten acres at this time as it is more cost effective to prepare a larger area at one time. He also expressed concern about using up five acres fairly quickly and needing to request more from the County in the near future. Motion by Salmi, seconded by Lexvold to direct Storlie to send another letter to the County expressing the City's willingness to pay the appraisal costs and have the property surveyed and marked, and explaining the desire to acquire ten acres at this time, MCU.

Ordinance #145 - Gambling: The Planning & Zoning Commission and Shaw have reviewed the draft ordinance regulating lawful gambling and have recommended approval of the same. Motion to approve ordinance by Lexvold, seconded by Koppelmann, MCU.

The MS Society had previously requested a gambling permit from the City and the issue had been tabled until an ordinance was in place. Motion by Lexvold to approve Resolution 2007-23, seconded by Koppelmann,MCU.

NEW BUSINESS:

Streetlight Utility Complaints: Collins and others expressed concern over the new streetlight utility. Tendrup explained the reason behind creating the utility. Streetlights have been paid for in the past from the general fund with property tax revenue. Creating a utility fund for them will allow the City to bill each parcel in City limits for the lights. The annual cost of the lights will be paid for by all people in the City rather than only by those that pay property taxes. Salmi felt that some of the streetlights could be turned off and Tendrup reminded him that had been discussed more than once in the past and was always met with opposition.

Final Budget and Levy: No changes to the budget have been made since approval of the preliminary budget and levy. Motion to pass Resolution 2007-24 by Tendrup, seconded by Lexvold, motion carried with Salmi opposing.

Resolution 2007-25: Resolution 2007-25 sets the wages and salaries for 2008. Tendrup pointed out that the employees currently in union negotiations will have their salaries set through that process. Motion to pass the resolution by Lexvold, seconded by Koppelmann, MCU.

Issues with City Addresses: Storlie reported that Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church has been having issues getting packages delivered because of inconsistent addressing along Golf Course Lane. It was determined that the Church should be directed to use 320 Golf Course Lane as their address.

Liquor License Applications: Applications for 2008 liquor licenses were received from Kocian's IGA and Bigfork Wilderness Bar. Motion to approve both applications by Lexvold, seconded by Koppelmann, MCU.

Worker's Compensation Insurance Renewal: Motion by Tendrup, seconded by Stevens to purchase the same coverage as the previous year, MCU.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Union Bargaining Unit Clarification: Tendrup stated that according to the legal wording on the paperwork from the Bureau of Mediation, the City Clerk is not part of the bargaining unit. She stated that the Council needs to decide if they want the City Clerk position to be a part of this unit or not. If so, they can write a letter to the Bureau stating so. Stevens questioned what the benefit would be of having the Clerk position as a separate bargaining unit. This was unknown. The issue was tabled to give Councilmembers a chance to talk with City Personnel Attorney John Licke regarding the various options. Tendrup reminded the Council that the next union negotiation meeting was set for Thursday, January 3, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.

Letter to Hospital: Public Works Superintendent Chuck Almhjeld reported that new meters would be installed at the hospital and school the following week. He inquired if the Council would like him to send a letter to the hospital regarding the lost revenue due to the incorrect meter and ask if they would consider paying for at least a portion of the lost revenue. The Council felt that a letter should be sent.

Credit for Water: Almhjeld reported that three businesses and a few residents had experienced high water bills due to their toilets running. Now that the City is only reading meters every quarter rather than each month, they were hit with especially high bills since the running toilets were not caught right away and some had asked for a credit on their bill for this reason. The Council did not feel it was fair to credit some and not others and also had concerns about everyone expecting a credit anytime they had an issue. Motion by Tendrup to refuse to grant credits but to allow up to six months for anyone with an abnormally high balance to pay it, seconded by Stevens, MCU.

Public Works Assistant Training/Raise: Tendrup reported that Public Works Assistant Joe Zimmer had recently obtained his Class D Water License and it had been the practice of the City in the past to grant a $1.00 per hour pay increase upon license completion. Motion by Koppelmann, seconded by Lexvold to grant the raise, MCU.

Resolution 2007-26: Police Chief Jon Babcock stated that he would like to add violation of tobacco laws to our list of administrative fines. Tendrup also wanted to look into using the administrative fines for violation of the new public smoking laws. Babcock will look into this. Motion to pass the resolution by Koppelmann, seconded by Stevens, MCU.

Private Wastewater Training: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is offering free training on the new private wastewater system administration laws. Motion by Lexvold, seconded by Salmi to have Storlie attend the training, MCU.

Lexvold asked Babcock if he had checked into the status of the vacant trailers in Woodland Terrace. Babcock reported that the managers had informed him they would have the trailers removed as a nuisance. Lexvold understood that the managers would like some help from the City with this. Babcock will talk to them again.

Salmi stated he wanted to see a depreciation fund for the police vehicle. Tendrup responded that one was started several years ago but had since been cut from each of the annual budgets. This item will be looked at for the 2009 budget.

Mayor Tendrup adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

Angie Storlie

City Clerk/Treasurer