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

City of Bigfork

Regular Meeting October 11, 2005

Members Present:  Mayor Amy Tendrup, Jean Lexvold, Richard Salmi, Bob Zimmer and Amy Pifher

Absent:  None

Also Present:  Gene Rajala, Gus David, Julie Aakhus, Robin Custer, Chet Cook, Nathan Hale, Jim Manske, Mike & Sherrie Sitz, Robert Johnson, Mark & Connie Maki, Julie Kennedy, John Haberle, Darrell Harwood, Dave Waters, Mark Jackson, Warren & Caroline Welch, Patti Dawson, Lois Hanson, David Asher, David Schminkey, Denise Porter, Jon Babcock and Mike Adams

Mayor Tendrup called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and asked if there were any additions to the agenda.  Salmi stated that he would like to discuss taxes, the 2006 budget, the airport and the Wildfire Protection Act.  Tendrup added the VFW to the agenda as well.  Motion by Zimmer seconded by Lexvold to approve the agenda as amended, motion carried unanimously (MCU).

Consent Agenda

Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Lexvold to approve the consent agenda as follows:

#1-            approval of the minutes of the September 13^th and 27^th meetings

#2-            approval of the Police report for September 2005, report is attached to the minutes as Appendix A

#3-            approval of the budget report for September 2005

#4-            approval of the Public Works Department report for September 2005, report is attached to the minutes as Appendix B

#5-            approval of the City Clerk’s Office report for September 2005

#6-            approval of the claims for payment in the amount of $76,653.03 including the September 15^th and 30^th payrolls

Motion Carried Unanimously (MCU).

 OLD BUSINESS:

Julie Kennedy:  City Engineer Julie Kennedy of Short-Elliott-Hendrickson was present with updates on engineering projects.  She stated that Casper Construction has fill available for anybody that needs it.  Any interested parties should contact the City Clerk for more information by this Friday.  Kennedy has figured that about 700 cubic yards could be used on the Cedar Street lots to raise them each about six inches.  Casper will use whatever they can for the Legacy Development project and for anyone else that requests it first, and then take any leftover to the Cedar Street lots.  Kennedy estimated that this could be done for a minimal cost to the City.  Motion by Salmi to allow this fill if needed, seconded by Pifher, MCU.  Zimmer requested that Kennedy contact Habitat for Humanity to see if they would be interested in fill for their property located on Cedar Street.  Kennedy and Tendrup reminded everyone that fill permits are needed for the placement of more than 250 cubic yards of fill, or for any amount on a property located in a shoreland district.

Kennedy’s second item was a development agreement with Legacy Development.  This agreement deals with infrastructure and is separate from the TIF development agreement that was approved and signed at the last meeting.  Kennedy stressed that the City is not putting any money up front for this project.  This agreement states that all infrastructure for the project will be taken over by the City one year after acceptance of the construction.  Kennedy asked that the Council members review this agreement and contact the City Clerk with any revisions they would like to see by this Friday.  It will be executed by the Mayor at that time.

 Kennedy reported that she had a discussion with Mary Ann Holsman about drainage along her properties located on Golf Course Lane.  All the water from Main Street drains onto Holsman’s property and they have dug a trench to alleviate this problem.  Kennedy is suggesting that while Casper Construction is in the area, the Council should get a quote on re-grading this area so that the water will drain to the natural drainage area toward the Rice River rather than onto Holsman’s driveway.  Kennedy estimates that this will cost a few hundred dollars.  Salmi asked if there could be sidewalk on that road and Kennedy answered that was not part of the County’s plans because there was not room.  Motion by Pifher to get a quote on re-grading to improve drainage, seconded by Salmi, MCU.

 Kennedy’s final item was an update on the 2005 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation project.  Water, sewer, and storm sewer are complete.  They will start pouring curb Wednesday morning and then will take a week to touch up and get ready for pavement which will take place a week after that.  Kennedy noted that the Council had received a partial pay request which covers work completed through the end of September.  This pay request is itemized into amounts that the City will be responsible for, those that will be reimbursed by Bigfork Valley Hospital, and those that will be reimbursed by Itasca County.  The total payment request is $86,079.35.  Salmi asked if the $6,000 extra that was discussed at the last meeting was included in the total and Kennedy answered that it was.  She explained that the extra costs actually came in closer to $1,500 because Casper Construction was good enough to only charge us transportation costs.  They just wanted to recoup their costs and were not looking for any extra payments for labor associated with the changes.  Salmi asked if there was a contingency fund to cover this.  Kennedy answered that there was.  Our “leftover” funds for secondary projects will just be lessened by this amount.  Motion to approve the pay request in the amount of $86,079.35 by Salmi seconded by Pifher, MCU.

 Tendrup stated that she had received reports of milky water and asked if that problem would be alleviated once the project is completed.  Maki stated that they would be flushing hydrants soon and would clear up that problem.  A few members of the audience reported that they had dirty or green-tinted water which was not related to the construction project.  Maki will check this out first thing in the morning and flush hydrants in order to clear up the water.

 NEW BUSINESS:

VFW:  Darrell Harwood reported that the VFW has completed remodeling the old library area for their use.  He thanked the Council and City Staff for their help.  John Haberle stated that now that they are settled in their new area, the VFW would like to remodel the basement of the City Hall, including the kitchen, as a community project.  The VFW will be seeking grant money to complete this remodeling project.  Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Pifher to allow the VFW to complete this remodeling, MCU.

 City Hall Stage:  Tendrup stated that we had previously discussed trying to donate the unused stage to someplace that could use it.  It was suggested to ask the REA if they could use it.  If they are not interested, it will be advertised in the WATTS News to be given away.

 Resolution 10-11-2005 (1):  This resolution is to request reconveyance of the kiosk property from the State of Minnesota to the City.  Storlie reported that there is also a piece of tax-forfeit property adjacent to this property and the City would need to petition the County in order to obtain this.  Motion by Salmi to approve Resolution 10-11-2005 (1) and submit a resolution to the County for the tax forfeit property, seconded by Pifher, MCU.  Storlie will prepare a resolution requesting the tax forfeit property from the County for approval at the next meeting.

 Resolution 10-11-2005 (2):  This resolution is to revise our JOBZ policy to be in compliance with changes to State law. Motion by Zimmer seconded by Lexvold to approve the resolution, MCU.

 Skateboard Ordinance:  Police Chief Jon Babcock would like to discuss the possibility of regulating the use of skateboards in the City.  The school has been having some issues with skateboard use and the principal has requested that Babcock look into the issue. Babcock inquired if anyone else has heard any complaints.  He will be working on a proposed ordinance for the Council to consider in the near future.  Babcock also reported that he and the principal would be working to get a skateboard park in place so that there is a safe place to skateboard.  Zimmer asked where the City can regulate use and Babcock reported that we can regulate sidewalks, streets, and public property, including the school, but not private property.  The Council was in favor of Babcock drafting a proposed ordinance and Tendrup suggested that Storlie check with the League of Minnesota Cities to get some sample ordinances to work from.  Babcock stressed that this is a safety issue and is meant to keep kids safe, not to limit their activities.  Tendrup stated that the Planning Commission will review this ordinance once Babcock has drafted it.  Mark Jackson suggested that the ordinance require use of safety gear and protective clothing.

 Wildfire Protection Act:  Salmi has talked with County Commissioner Catherine McLynn regarding the Wildfire Protection Act.  The Chippewa National Forest would like written support from our community.  Tendrup clarified that in addition to forest management, the Act includes burning off undergrowth and other measures to help control the spread of wildfire.  Salmi felt we should ask County Commissioner Russ Klegstad to come before the Council and explain the issues to us.  Tendrup felt that the fire department should be included as she understood that much of this work was going to be done through local fire departments.  Salmi will get a hold of Klegstad and ask him to come to the November Council meeting.

 2006 Budget:  Salmi stated that he understood that there will be an increase of 3% in water and sewer rates and an increase of 9% in the general tax levy.  Salmi has talked with several people in the community who want a moratorium on tax increases due to the rising costs of fuel.  Tendrup agreed that it would be nice to keep taxes at their current level, however the Budget Committee has already made all the possible cuts and there are not any areas left to cut from.  Tendrup did not feel it was realistic to not raise taxes.  Local Government Aid continues to dwindle and Tendrup asked what Salmi suggests we do in order to avoid raising taxes.  Motion by Salmi to cut the water superintendent position and have two part-time workers run maintenance of the City.  Motion died for lack of a second.  Maki stated that he was hired by the City Council to help move this community forward and that is what he has been doing.  Caroline Welch stated that Maki does a great job and urged the Council not to eliminate his position.  Babcock stated that taxes are going up everywhere, not just in the City of Bigfork.  Maki has talked with other cities that are having to raise taxes up to twenty-one percent in order to balance their budgets.  Tendrup reviewed all of the things that the Budget Committee has already cut in order to balance the budget, including the lifeguard position and many items from maintenance budgets.  Salmi stated that some cities have cut work time.  Tendrup replied that the budget committee already looked at all of these options.  Gus David stated that in order to be able to cut taxes, the City needs to be run like a small business.  He felt that rather than hiring out tasks such as snowplowing, the City should buy the equipment and do the work ourselves.

 Salmi brought up the airport runway again.  Maki reported that he had contacted the inspector who was up a few weeks ago as requested at the last Council meeting.  The inspector was more worried about the brush at the airport than the cracks on the runway.  Salmi stated that he had contacted a representative of the FAA who would be up this Thursday.  Lexvold, Pifher and Maki all stated they would like to visit with the representative.

 OTHER BUSINESS:

 Maki reported that there is currently no area in the City for residents to dump brush and leaves.  The areas at the cemetery and sewer ponds previously used for this purpose are not available due to lack of room.  Waters had given permission for someone to dump on the City well property.  The items they dumped included old paint cans and other items that could be detrimental to our wellhead protection for Well #4 in that area.  These items will need to be removed from the site.  Waters claimed that only wood had been dumped on the City well property, which Maki stated was not true.  Tendrup interrupted that it did not matter, the point was that nothing should be allowed to be dumped in that area due to the well located there.  The problem is there is currently no place for leaves and brush to be disposed of.  Salmi suggested talking to Itasca County about the possibility of dumping this type of material at the County dump since there is a staff person there.  There is a piece of tax forfeit property adjacent to the County dump property that could be used if the City acquired it.  Motion by Salmi to contact the County to request permission to allow the dumping of leaves and brush at the County dump site and if the County is not agreeable to this, to begin the process of acquiring the tax forfeit property, motion seconded by Pifher, MCU. 

Mayor Tendrup adjourned the meeting at 8:05 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

September

2005

6  15:29  gas theft

7  15:03  suspicious person

7  16:30  assault/juv. male

12  11:28  horses on roadway

18  18:04  no proof of insurance/expired tabs

30  20:28  harassing phone call

Public Works Department Report

September 8, 2005 – October 11, 2005

 ·        Signs and mirrors from Picaroon to Grand Rapids for eBay

·        Contacted MPCA on fecal counts too high, pond discharge samples

·        Build gates for cemetery (2 sets)

·        Sentence to serve crew at ponds, weed whip

·        MN Dept of Health quarterly samples

·        Well drillers replaced #3 pump & wire

·        Open Picaroon for cleaners

·        Discharge #2 pond, start transfer, 2^nd discharge of ponds

·        Locates for construction

·        Locates for remaining street signs

·        Set up temporary water services for construction

·        Airport patching refused and repaired

·        2 samples to Virginia

·        Culvert on Division Ave north, locate services

·        Talked with Mike Thiobdou runway airport, no need to shut down, brushing needs to be done

·        Chemical from Hawkins

·        Mark out Sept 30^th 8:00 am – Octo 10^th

·        Transfer at pond, enzymes added to pond #1

·        Meeting with Dave & Dick on problem areas

 Chemical Usage

.000063 per gallon chemical cost

$73.74 total cost

Backwash Water

 Trucks