DRAFT – These minutes are not official until approved at the next regular City Council meeting.
City of Bigfork
Members Present: Mayor Amy Tendrup, Jean Lexvold, Linda Koppelmann and Dick Salmi
Absent: Eugene Rajala
Also Present: City Engineer Julie Kennedy, Dan Kinglsey, Police Chief Jon Babcock, Tim & Anne Collins, Mike Gorham, Police Officer Pat Richards, Fire Chief Curt Snyder, Warren Welch, Jim Manske, Gene Collins, Anne Collins, Rebecca Collins, Al LaTrace and Cheryl White
Mayor Tendrup called the public hearing to order at 6:00 p.m. and stated that the hearing was being held on the petition for vacation of certain land in the Lindem & Larson Addition to Bigfork. A letter was received from City Attorney Andy Shaw indicating to the City Council which portions of land would be appropriate to vacate. There were no comments from the public on the issue.
The public hearing was closed and Tendrup called the regular meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Resolution 2007-16: Motion by Lexvold to pass Resolution 2007-16: Setting Hearing on Vacation, seconded by Salmi, Motion Carried Unanimously (MCU).
Resolution 2007-17: Tendrup clarified that this resolution vacated only that land which Shaw had deemed appropriate. Motion by Lexvold to pass Resolution 2007-17: Vacating Land in Lindem & Larson Addition, seconded by Salmi, MCU.
Public Forum: Tendrup asked anyone wishing to address the Council to do so at this time. Salmi addressed the Council stating that he was speaking on behalf of Jack and John Rajala on their concerns about the proposed increase in water and sewer rates. Salmi was concerned about the difficulty bringing industry into the town and he did not want to see an existing industry like Rajala Mill leave due to this. Salmi also thanked Gene Rajala for all the work he did for the City. As there were no further public comments, Tendrup closed the public forum.
Tendrup called for changes to the agenda. A request from Bigfork High School for a parade permit was added as the first item under New Business. Motion to approve the agenda as amended by Koppelmann, seconded by Lexvold, MCU.
Salmi asked that the claims be removed for further discussion.
#1- approval of the minutes of the August 14th regular City Council meeting and August 22nd City Council and Budget Committee Work Session
#2- approval of the Police Report for August 2007
#3- approval of the City Clerk’s Office Report for August 2007
#4- approval of the Financial Report for August 2007
#5- approval of the Public Works Department report for August 2007
#6- removed for further discussion
Motion by Koppelmann to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Lexvold, MCU.
Copies of documentation relating to any consent agenda item are available at the City Clerk’s office.
Consent Agenda Item #6: Salmi questioned claims by various employees for mileage and the claim from Casper Construction. Storlie explained the mileage claims were for Council-approved meetings and training and for pickup and delivery of equipment and supplies. Motion to approve claims paid in the amount of $18,025.11 including the August 15th and 31st payrolls, and to approve the claims for payment in the amount of $37,239.65 by Koppelmann, seconded by Lexvold, MCU.
Commissioners' Reports: Salmi reported that the airport has been mowed and hayed. The ruts at the end of the runway still have not been filled.
Fire Chief's Report: Fire Chief Curt Snyder reported that the Fire Department has responded to 30 pages so far this year. Eleven of those were structure fires. Two of the eleven were rekindles. He reported that the instructor of the NIMS 100 and 200 training found a grant for us and so there will be no charge for that training. Terry Hall and Justin Francis are two new firemen on the department and will begin training. Snyder finished by reporting that he has researched propane and talked with Mike Gorham and has not found anything that should prevent the City from granting the requested franchise agreement with Northwest Gas.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Northwest Gas Franchise Agreement: Mike Gorham of Northwest Gas was present again to discuss his request for a non-exclusive franchise agreement with the City. Salmi asked about a franchise fee and Tendrup stated she was not in favor of charging one due to the fact that other businesses providing similar services are not charged. Motion to pass the ordinance granting the franchise agreement by Salmi, seconded by Lexvold, MCU.
Request for Recognition of Union: Dan Kingsley was present again to address any further questions the Council had. Koppelmann asked if there are a large number of small cities that are unionized. Kingsley responded that there are and added that their average contract covers just four employees. Tendrup noted that the two options as she sees them are to voluntarily recognize the union and start negotiations, or try to fight it and still end up in negotiations. Motion by Koppelmann to voluntarily recognize the petition, seconded by Lexvold, MCU. Kingsley stated he would be in contact with Storlie to set up a meeting to begin negotiations. It was determined that the entire Council would be part of the negotiation process.
Cemetery Land: Storlie presented a letter she had drafted requesting Itasca County to reconsider the request for conveyance of the tax forfeit land adjacent to the City cemetery. Motion to send the letter by Tendrup, seconded by Koppelmann, MCU.
NEW BUSINESS:
Homecoming Parade: The Council received a request from Bigfork School for permission to hold a parade for Homecoming. Motion to allow this by Koppelmann, seconded by Lexvold, MCU.
Resolution 2007-18: The Council received a written resignation from Councilor Gene Rajala effective August 15, 2007. Motion to pass Resolution 2007-18 and to thank Rajala for his service as a volunteer and a Councilor by Koppelmann, seconded by Lexvold, MCU.
Salmi stated that he thought we were violating State Statute on how many Council seats come up for election at the same time. Storlie will contact the County Auditor and ask what the options are for fixing this situation and possibly changing the terms to four-year terms.
The Council requested that any resident interested in filling the vacant Council seat to please submit a letter of intent to the City Clerk's office before the next Council meeting.
Budget Committee Recommendations: The Budget Committee and City Council met in a joint work session to complete the preliminary budget. They had a number of recommendations for the Council to consider. Ordinances establishing a street light utility and administrative fines were forwarded to the Planning & Zoning Commission for completion.
Tendrup and Lexvold will attend the next Bigfork Township Board meeting to discuss 2008 beach operation with the Board.
The Committee also recommended that the Council take action to get the lots on Cedar Street sold. Motion by Tendrup to list the properties for sale through the same realtor as used previously and to drop the asking price of each lot by $4,000, seconded by Salmi, MCU.
A brief discussion on annexation took place and Tendrup noted this issue was on the agenda for the next Planning & Zoning Commission meeting.
Tendrup recessed the meeting at 6:56 p.m. until 6:59 p.m.
Julie Kennedy: City Engineer Julie Kennedy's first update was on the airport mound system. She reported that she will have soil testing results and input from Bergquist representatives at the October meeting.
Kennedy was notified by Storlie that Jerry Holt has inquired about turning the sewer lines running to the Holt house and garage properties over to the City. Kennedy noted that the lines are considered individual service lines and so the City will not take over ownership of them. This is in accordance with City ordinance.
Kennedy's final item was an update on the water system improvement project. It was her recommendation to plan a project for 2008 utilizing Iron Range Resources grant dollars and a loan. She stated that the first step is to look at water and sewer rates to see how much debt service could be supported by rates. Tendrup added that we already need to take a look at the rates again just to meet the budget for 2008. Kennedy explained the main reason for the difficulty in meeting the budget. Over the past three years the City has decreased the amount of water sold by over 3 million gallons. At the same time, the costs to run the utilities have increased due to our aging infrastructure. A joint City Council and Budget Committee work session to discuss these issues was set for Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
Resolution 2007-19: The Council and Budget Committee have completed the preliminary budget for the general, fire and debt service funds. The proposed property tax levy is $112,598 which is a 10.39% increase over last year. Salmi was concerned that if property values increase, people will get hit double between that and an increase in the levy. Tendrup stated that she did not disagree with that, but numerous cuts to the budget have already been made just to get down to the 10.39% increase. Storlie reminded the Council that this is just the preliminary levy and it can be lowered before the end of the year. Motion by Koppelmann to pass Resolution 2007-19, seconded by Lexvold, motion carried with Salmi opposing.
Gambling Permit Application: Motion to approve the gambling permit application from EOW Ducks Unlimited by Lexvold, seconded by Koppelmann, MCU.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Salmi reported that he had attended the last Itasca County budget work session. The $10,000 airport contribution requested by the City is not approved yet. Storlie will contact Commissioner McLynn and see if more representation is needed to secure the funding.
Police Officer Pat Richards introduced himself to the Council and stated that Babcock had hired him to fill the open part-time position. He reported that he was working the same 32-hour blocks that the previous officer was working. He responded to Salmi's inquiry as to why the squad car was being seen in Effie by informing the Council that he stays with family in Effie while on call for Bigfork. Richards exchanged contact information with the Council and invited them to ride along with him while he is on duty if they wish.
Mayor Tendrup adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m.
Angie Storlie
City Clerk/Treasurer