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

City of Bigfork

Regular Meeting March 8, 2005

Members Present: Mayor Amy Tendrup, Bob Zimmer, Jean Lexvold, Amy Pifher and Richard Salmi Absent: none Also Present: Nathan Hale, John McCann, Caroline & Warren Welch, Gus David, Dan Johnson, Robin Custer, Irene & Chet Cook, Ron Root, Lonnie Kacon, Connie Maki, Joyce Holsman, Terri Peterson, Jon Babcock, Andy Shaw and Dick Grabko

Mayor Tendrup announced the results of the closed meeting held on February 8, 2005. At the meeting, a performance review of Public Works Superintendent Mark Maki was conducted. Maki received 45 out of 45 points on his review and was granted a 4% pay increase effective January 1, 2005.

Consent Agenda Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Lexvold to approve the consent agenda as follows: #1- approval of the minutes of the February 8th regular City Council meeting #2- approval of the Police Report for February 2005, report is attached to the minutes as Appendix A #3- approval of the library report for February 2005 #4- approval of the February 2005 budget report #5- approval of the Public Works Department report for February 4, 2005 through March 4, 2005, report is attached to the minutes as Appendix B #6- approval of the revised schedule of Planning Commission meetings for 2005 #- approval of the claims for payment in the amount of $69,244.60, including the February 15th and 28th payrolls Motion Carried Unanimously (MCU).

OLD BUSINESS:

Dick Grabko – Short-Elliot-Hendrickson: Grabko reviewed a memo from City Engineer Julie Kennedy who was unable to attend the meeting. Kennedy was asking for action on three items, the first being to designate a representative of the City to meet with the hospital and church to discuss pond access road issue. Motion by Zimmer seconded by Pifher to have Lonnie Kacon serve as the City representative for this issues, MCU. Kennedy also asked the Council to call a work session for April 12, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of this work session is to meet with the owners of the Woodland Terrace mobile home park to discuss zoning issues. A public hearing will also be called for April 18, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss city-wide zoning issues. These two public hearings are being called at the request of the Planning Commission, as they are working on drafting a new zoning ordinance for the City. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Pifher to call the two public hearings, MCU.

Grabko continued with a review of the proposed community development survey. This survey is an integral part of the loan/grant application process. Grabko explained that the Council will have time to look over the proposed survey and make suggestions for any additions to it. The survey will be finalized at the April meeting. The company that has been retained to administer the survey to residents will do so during May, and the results will be tabulated and presented to the Council at the June meeting.

Andy Shaw: City Attorney Andy Shaw’s first item was the airport land lease with the State of Minnesota. Shaw stated that the lease is valid and recommended continuation of it. Motion by Lexvold, seconded by Salmi to allow the Mayor and Clerk to sign and execute the lease agreement, MCU.

Shaw next addressed the possible granting of a parking easement to the Huskie Café at their new location on Main Avenue. Shaw stated that before an easement could be granted, the exact location of the lot lines must be known. Motion by Salmi, seconded by Lexvold to send a letter to the owners of the Huskie Café asking that they provide the City with this information, MCU. Zimmer added that it should be stated in the letter that the City is willing to grant the easement once the proper information is provided to us.

Deer Feeding Ban: The City Council has received a letter requesting that something be done about the number of deer in City limits. The letter stated that the deer are causing problems by walking over water and sewer lines, eating pasture grass, and causing a danger to vehicles. Many audience members had comments on this issue. Chet Cook stated that he feeds between 20 and 30 deer every day and has no problems with them. It was noted that the residents of the nursing home, Pine Tree Villa and Condor Apartments greatly enjoy being able to watch the wildlife, including the deer. Salmi stated that he has never had a problem with his septic freezing because of deer traffic. He also noted that in 1995-1996, a community survey was conducted on this issue and the residents were in favor of continuing to allow the feeding of deer in City limits. Babcock added that he estimates that only 1 deer every two years is hit by a vehicle in City limits. Mayor Tendrup stated that due to the input from the audience, no action would be taken on the request.

Liquor License Application: Storlie reported that at the last meeting an application for an off-sale liquor license was received. Liquor Store Manager Joyce Holsman stated that the City was not allowed to grant an off-sale license while operating a municipal off-sale. Storlie stated that this was correct. The application will be kept on file for one year, and reconsidered in the event that an off-sale license becomes available during that time. If one becomes available after that time, the applicant would need to re-apply.

Resolution 03-08-2005: Requesting Action on Division Avenue Culvert Repair: As requested at the last meeting, Storlie had drafted a resolution requesting Itasca County to take action on this item. Salmi stated that he felt the County should repair this at no cost to the City and that Commissioner Catherine McLynn should be carrying the ball on this project. Tendrup reviewed that McLynn has suggested that the City make this formal request of the County to help move things along. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Salmi to pass the resolution as follows, MCU: WHEREAS, the Bigfork City Council has heard concerns regarding the condition of the roadway and culvert located on Division Avenue in Bigfork, Minnesota, and; WHEREAS, city staff has inspected said roadway and culvert and found them to be in an unsafe and hazardous condition due to washout, and; WHEREAS, Division Avenue is a County road, maintained by Itasca County, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Bigfork, Minnesota hereby requests that Itasca County place a high priority on the repair of this hazardous and unsafe roadway. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Bigfork City Council is willing to designate representatives of the City to meet with representatives of Itasca County to discuss possible solutions for this issue and future issues regarding this roadway.

NEW BUSINESS:

Fire Department: Ron Root, newly elected Fire Chief, was present to inform the Council of a few items. He stated that his understanding was that any purchases over $500 needed to be approved by the Council prior to purchase. The Council confirmed this. He explained that the Fire Department truck committee is still working on the purchase of a new fire truck, as was reported at a previous meeting. He also presented a bill for backpack pumps that needed to be paid. Motion by Salmi, seconded by Pifher to pay the bill, MCU. Mayor Tendrup thanked Root for attending and keeping the Council up-to-date on the Fire Department’s operations.

Donation Requests: The Council received four requests for donations. They included the Bigfork School D.A.R.E. Program, MN Hwy 38 Leadership Board, Edge Center for the Arts, and First Call. Salmi questioned if the City was allowed to donate funds. Shaw explained that the City is allowed to donate money to non-profit agencies and to other government entities. Motion by Lexvold, seconded by Pifher to donate $50 to each of the four entities, MCU.

Liquor Store Commission Recommendations: Commission Chair Lexvold related the following recommendations from the Liquor Store Commission: 1. In the event the city’s municipal liquor operations are voted to be discontinued by the voters of this city at the June 7th special election, it is the recommendation of the liquor store commission that the operation be allowed to continue for the full 30 months following the election that are allowed by State Statute. 2. In the event the city’s municipal liquor operations are voted to be continued, the liquor store commission recommends that the facility be converted to an off-sale only facility at some point in the future. Shaw stated that no action should be taken by the Council on these recommendations at this time. Salmi stated that he was unaware that there was a Liquor Store Commission meeting scheduled, as the Commission had voted to discontinue future meetings. Mayor Tendrup stated that the Commission had done so, however at the last Council meeting, the Council had voted to direct the Commission to continue meeting on the regularly scheduled dates and times.

2005 MN Municipal Clerk’s Institute: Storlie explained that this would be her third and last year in the institute. Motion by Lexvold, seconded by Pifher to allow Storlie to attend, MCU.

2005 Safety and Loss Control Workshop: Both Storlie and Maki are interested in attending this one-day workshop at a cost of $20 per person. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Lexvold to allow them to attend, MCU.

2005-2006 Snowplowing Contract: The snowplowing contract with Itasca County is up for renewal. Salmi felt that the County should do the plowing and grading at the airport for free and suggested that a letter be written requesting that they do so. Motion by Salmi, seconded by Zimmer to have Storlie draft and send a letter to Itasca County Highway Engineer Dave Christy and County Commissioner Catherine McLynn, MCU. The contract will be renewed upon receiving an answer to the letter. City Volunteer Insurance Coverage: Storlie presented the renewal information for the City’s worker’s compensation coverage for volunteers. She explained that this coverage is for our Wilderness Day Celebration and other volunteers and costs $150.00 per year. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Lexvold to purchase the coverage again this year, MCU.

Review of City Clerk Office Hours: Storlie stated that the Council had voted to review the office hours at this meeting. Tendrup reviewed that the office hours are currently from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with the clerk working the other hours from home. Zimmer asked if this schedule was working and Storlie stated that it was working well for her and she would like to continue if the Council was unopposed to it. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Pifher to continue the schedule for another three months, MCU.

Lifeguard/Swim Instructor Application: The Council received one application for the lifeguard/swim instructor position. Storlie reported that there were not many lifeguard training classes being offered this spring, and that the class in Grand Rapids had already started, however the instructor would be willing to take another student and have them make up what they have missed. In addition, there are no swim instructor classes being offered. The instructor was willing to work with the student to do an independent study type of class, however it would involve traveling to Grand Rapids four days a week for the next nine weeks. The Council felt this would get too costly to pay for mileage and instead, motion was made by Zimmer and seconded by Lexvold to try to find an already certified instructor to come and teach lessons in Bigfork this summer, and to hire the applicant as a part-time lifeguard pending a background check, MCU.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Zimmer reported that he had contacted Mediacom regarding cable service. They planned on sending an engineer up to take a look at and get back to Zimmer. He never received a call back from them. Shaw stated that he and Storlie should take a look at our current cable franchise agreement with North American Communications Corporation to make sure that there would be sufficient basis for revoking the agreement if it comes to that.

Zimmer presented a photo of a headstone that someone would like to place in the cemetery. It is a different type of headstone and Cemetery Sexton Jerry Pula wanted to check with the Council before allowing it. The Council was agreeable to this type of stone in the cemetery as long as it was placed on a concrete base and did not interfere with mowing and other maintenance. Storlie will relay this to Pula.

Chet Cook reported that the light that was installed at the Cemetery was cutting down on the nighttime traffic there, however the temporary gates had been torn down. They have been repaired by Public Works Superintendent Mark Maki. Cook feels this is proof of the need for permanent gates.

There being no further business, Mayor Tendrup adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m.

Angie Storlie City Clerk

These minutes are available on the City website at www.cityofbigfork.com. To sign up to receive the minutes by email, send your email address to ctyclerk@bigfork.net.

Appendix A

Bigfork Police Department Police Report February 2005

7 18:17 careless driving/no vehicle insurance 8 16:32 mental disorderly/adult female 8 21:22 theft of gas/drive off 8 22:23 public assist 9 18:55 assist s.o. /dwi 10 20:10 intrusion alarm/business day 11 01:31 suspicious person 15 09:15 fire residence 15 16:02 911/trace 17 10:47 fire motor vehicle 18 21:57 unsafe equipment 19 00:01 suspicious vehicle 19 21:42 intrusion alarm/business night

Appendix B

Public Works Department Report February 4, 2005 – March 4, 2005

§ Installed new pump with Electric Pump personnel/Powell Station § Refab. Basket and install/Powell Station 9no plug up since installation) § Light bulbs and holders outside walkway at Pic § Sand streets and sidewalks twice § Plow at Airport 4 times § Monthly water meter readings § Change oil in both trucks § Clean and repair #2 pump from Powell Station for spare § Install new vent in furnace room at Pic § Move condensate traps to outside air boxes at Pic for furnaces § Sample airport mound system/take sample to Grand Rapids § Monthly reports to MPCA/Dept. of Health § Install 1 water meter, repair 1 outside meter § Snow deflector on plow, white truck § Heater from Lefty’s Rent-A-Tent for City house due to boiler down, pipes frozen and broke § Repair pipes, restart boiler, check several times daily § Work on sign price quote for city streets § Met with Julie from SEH on project list, pond sludge removal § Quote list for safety equipment for OSHA grant application

Wastewater 1.459 mg Water 1.152 mg I&I 0.307 mg Snow/Rain 5” snow

Chemical Usage Pot. Perm 10# @ 1.9552 $19.55 Flouride 4# @ .3958 $1.59 Caustic Soda 8 gal @ 4.1285 $33.02 Chlorine 19# @ 1.1617 $22.07

Backwash Water Indication water 745 gallons Backwash 19.575 gallons

Trucks Gallons Cost Miles White 31.1 60 529 Green 58.7 144.40 362.6