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

City of Bigfork

Regular Meeting September 13, 2005

Members Present: Mayor Amy Tendrup, Amy Pifher, Richard Salmi, Jean Lexvold and Bob Zimmer Absent: None Also Present: Public Works Superintendent Mark Maki, Robin Custer, Warren & Caroline Welch, Kathy Swanberg, Police Chief Jon Babcock, Lonnie Kacon and Connie Maki

Mayor Tendrup called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Consent Agenda Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Pifher to approve the consent agenda as follows: #1- approval of the minutes of the August 9th, 23rd and September 6th meetings #2- approval of the Police Reports for July 2005 and August 2005, reports are attached to the minutes as Appendix A #3- approval of the budget report for August 2005 #4- approval of the Public Works Department report for August 2005, report is attached to the minutes as Appendix B #5- approval of the City Clerk’s Office report for August 2005 #6- approval of amendment to Ordinance #120 repealing Ordinances 2, 11, 38, 65, 70, 76, 83 and any other inconsistent ordinances #7- approval of the official summary of Ordinance #120 for publication #8- approval of the proposed amendments to the Administrative Policy as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission #9- approval of a land use permit for Kim Holsman (Tony Pifher) for a trailer home #10- approval of the claims for payment in the amount of $40,322.90 including the August 15th, and 31st payrolls Motion Carried Unanimously (MCU).

OLD BUSINESS:

Opening of Bids for City House: Four sealed bids were received on the city house. Mayor Tendrup opened the bids. The first was for $31,000 from Dave Nelson. The second bid was from Carol Pifher for $25,000. The third bid was for $36,987.56 from Howard McKinney. The final bid was from Kathy Swanberg in the amount of $54,416.41. Motion by Salmi to present Kathy Swanberg with a purchase agreement, seconded by Pifher, MCU.

Resolution 9-13-2005 (2): The new zoning ordinance, and an ordinance amending the Ordinance Establishing Fees and Charges with zoning related fees, will be adopted with the approval of Resolution 9-13-2005 (2). A motion was made by Lexvold and seconded by Pifher to adopt Resolution 9-13-2005 (2), MCU. A copy of the resolution and the ordinances it adopts is available at the City Clerk’s office. Motion by Zimmer and seconded by Lexvold to approve the official summary of Ordinance #122 for publication, MCU.

Sale of Mower: At the last regular Council meeting, a motion was made to sell the old airport tractor mower on eBay. It has since been determined that a local buyer would be preferred for this type of sale due to the costs associated with transporting it. It was felt that more coverage would be obtained by running an ad in the local paper than by listing it on eBay. Pifher made a motion to run a classified ad in the Deerpath Shopper calling for bids on the mower to be opened at the October regular Council meeting, listing $1400 as the approximate value, seconded by Lexvold, MCU.

Sale of Cedar Street Lots: The listing agreement with Minnesota Lakeshore Properties has expired on the two lots for sale on Cedar Street. It was determined that the properties should be advertised for sale on bids. Motion to advertise in the Deerpath, Star Tribune, and WATTS News for bids to be opened at the October regular Council meeting by Lexvold, seconded by Zimmer, MCU.

NEW BUSINESS:

Approval of Plans for Wanigan: Gene Madsen presented the Council with building plans for the Wanigan. Warren Welch asked who would handle the maintenance and liability on the Wanigan. Madsen has already agreed to take care of the maintenance and the City’s current insurance will cover it. Motion to approve a land use permit and waive the normal $5.00 land use permit fee for Gene Madsen to construct the Wanigan by Lexvold, seconded by Pifher, MCU.

Jon Babcock – School Liaison Officer Hours: Police Chief Jon Babcock reported to the Council that the new principal at the school has asked him to become more involved as the school liaison officer than he has been in the past couple of years. One of the duties he has been asked to perform is gymnasium monitoring in the mornings for the elementary school students. He has also been asked to be on the school premises during the lunch period. If Babcock does this, he will likely run over the hours that the school district has contracted to reimburse the City for. Babcock does not have a problem with working these extra hours at the school and wanted to check if the Council had a problem with him spending more hours than the City will get reimbursed for at the school. He feels that this extra time spent with the students is beneficial. Tendrup asked if Babcock responds to other calls when he is at the school and he answered that he does. Zimmer had concerns about Babcock being the only supervisor in the morning and questioned if the school district was relying too heavily on him. He asked if Babcock’s response time to another police call would be impacted by having to wait for someone else to cover at the school. Babcock stated that there was always someone nearby to cover for him if he should need to leave. Tendrup felt that she would like to see students’ attitudes towards police officers turned around so that they know that a police officer is someone that you can go to for help and not someone to be afraid of. Pifher also felt that building good relationships with students now will help them in the long run. It was the general consensus of the Council that they did not have an issue with Babcock spending more hours at the school than the City will be reimbursed for through the school liaison officer contract.

Salmi reported that there is a problem with usage in the gravel pit across from his house. He asked if he could take license plate numbers and report them to Babcock. Babcock stated that it is private property so there is a limit to what can be done but he is aware of the situation and will keep an eye on it.

2006 Preliminary Budget and Levy – Resolution 09-13-2005(3): Tendrup reported that the budget committee met three times over the last few weeks and has done the best they could with making cuts in order to balance the budget. She reviewed the cuts that were made which include elimination of the lifeguard and swim instructor positions, reduction of the employee cost of living increase from four percent to two percent, cuts to general fund maintenance budgets, cuts to the police and clerk budgets, and cuts to budgets for general engineering and legal services. Also, $12,000 of lease revenue from the municipal liquor store building and $25,000 from the sale of the city house has been pledged to the general fund. Finally, the general fund tax levy will increase by $9,112.88. Tendrup reported that although the budget is balanced for this year, she is concerned about what will happen in future years when there is no property to sell to help support the general budget. Maki stated that the City of Duluth was raising taxes 11.5% this year. Salmi asked if the maintenance fee could be raised on the mound system at the airport in order to help. Tendrup explained that the water and sewer funds, which that item comes out of, are balanced and raising that fee would not help the general fund budget. She also reported that Bigfork Township will be approached regarding support of the airport. Connie Maki stated that she has witness many people who live in motor homes all summer long that use the RV dump and water station at least once a week and the resident users of the City are paying for this. Tendrup stated that this item has been discussed and the budget committee will continue to meet to implement new ideas to help with future budget years. Motion to approve Resolution 09-13-2005(3): Adopting the Preliminary 2006 Budget and Levy for Taxes Collectible in 2006 by Pifher and seconded by Lexvold, MCU. A complete copy of the preliminary 2006 budget and levy is available at the City Clerk’s office.

2006 Water/Sewer Rates – Ordinance #124: The water and sewer budgets have been balanced by an approximate three percent increase in the user rates for each of the funds. Ordinance #124 will set the new rates effective January 1, 2006 as follows: Water: $15.40 for the first 1,000 and $3.60 per 1,000 thereafter Sewer: $11.55 for the first 1,000 and $3.92 per 1,000 thereafter Motion to approve Ordinance #124 by Zimmer, seconded by Lexvold, MCU.

Resolution 09-13-2005(1) – NIMS: Storlie reported that the City is required to comply with the new National Incident Management System (NIMS) if we are to remain eligible for Federal and State funds. The first step in complying is to pass a resolution adopted the system. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Pifher to adopt Resolution 09-13-2005(1), MCU.

Liquor License Application – Miller/Zins/Rahier: The City has received a liquor license application from the lessees of the municipal liquor store building. Motion by Pifher, seconded by Salmi to approve the application pending payment of the application fee, approval by the State of Minnesota, and the outcome of a background check on each applicant, MCU.

Connie Maki asked what it was costing the City to have ServiceMaster come in and clean the liquor store and why they had been there for so many days. Tendrup reported that the building was in dire need of cleaning and we needed to call in a professional service in order to get everything done in a timely manner. It is the City’s responsibility to have the building cleaned before the new lessees take over.

OTHER BUSINESS:

City Engineer Julie Kennedy sent a memo to the Council reporting that there was a possibility that Iron Range Resources may be providing financing for infrastructure projects in the future. Motion by Pifher, seconded by Lexvold to have Kennedy further investigate this potential funding source, MCU.

Salmi reported that there are a few headstones in the cemetery that are in need of attention. Maki will approach Cemetery Sexton Jerry Pula on this item.

Salmi asked again about the cracks on the airport runway. Maki reported, as he had at the last meeting, that the tar plants only manufacture the certain type of mix which is needed for the runway at certain times. Maki will received about two hours notification before the mix is delivered.

Maki reported that Northeast Technical Services is adding a $7.50 surcharge for every wastewater sample beginning Sept 15th of this year. Also, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has changed their rules on violations. If we do not meet the time and temperature guidelines, NTS will report it to the MPCA and it will be a violation.

The ducks and geese on the sewer ponds have caused our fecal count to skyrocket. Maki has called the MPCA so they are aware of the issue and that we will be out of compliance until we can get the problem under control. Maki will be talking with local Conservation Officer Brian Buria about what can be done to relieve this problem.

There will be a pre-construction meeting tomorrow on the 2005 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation project. The County will be starting the culvert replacement project on Division Avenue north on Monday, September 19th.

Maki is hoping to get a meeting set up to discuss the airport capital improvement plan that needs to be submitted to the State of Minnesota Department of Aeronautics.

Maki asked what should be done with the signs that are not able to be sold on eBay. It was determined that the eBay consignment shop that is listing them for the City would be directed to get rid of them as they see fit.

There being no other business, Mayor Tendrup adjourned the meeting at 8:12 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 July 2005

1 14:40 natural death/male adult 2 10:15 assist other agency/nihcc 4 13:08 public assist 9 21:13 reckless driving 9 22:49 d.w.i 4th degree 10 08:57 gas theft 10 16:38 exhibition driving 12 16:14 driving after revocation 13 20:00 threats/disorderly conduct 13 14:32 attempt to locate/death message/welfare check 13 20:00 threats/disorderly conduct 14 06:20 ambulance call 20 01:11 intrusion residence/night 25 15:58 neglected cat 28 21:16 ambulance call 30 14:13 intrusion business/night 30 31:37 bar/tavern disturbance 30 20:11 hit and run

Bigfork Police Department Police Report August 2005

19 13:44 domestic/order for protection violation 20 21:20 domestic assault 21 22:11 harassment order for protection violation 22 21:29 theft of auto 25 10:32 gas theft 26 15:39 domestic argument/adults 27 15:36 operate atv on roadway

Appendix B Public Works Department Report July 26, 2005 – September 7, 2005

§ Move shelves from library to cold storage, scrape walls/loose plaster in library, VFW to remodel at their expense § Meetings with Julie, Bill, Steve on pond road/forcemain § Repair forcemain break at Powell lift station – Casper called to dig, 7 hrs § Received safety equipment for sewer work § Met with County on East Ottum Ave, area on East end, soft hole, added 2 loads Class V § Measure lift stations and manhole inverts for I&I reduction, repair lid on Nathe station § Repair fluoride pump § Move signs and pictures to City Hall from Picaroon § Start installing street signs § Spray pond dike area § Called Bergquist on phos problem, will rinse tanks § Remove donated pop from Pic to youth center § Dry and fold tent, returned wet § Measure parks, beach, canoe access and footbridge for material list for DNR grant paperwork § Work on cooler at Pic, compressor needed § Fill ruts at park from well drillers § Pick up flowers at cemetery § Repair three water meters § Add enzymes to lift stations/pond #1 § Grid mark ponds for sludge judging § Quotes on equipment (tractor repair, lawn and snow removal) § Two sewer repair inspections § Patch roof at City Hall over library and Angie’s office § Order and install new locks for City Hall main door § Locates Golf Course Lane to bridge § Moved Council table from basement to main hall, assisted by Mike Larson § Chlorine pump install parts from Hibbing § Repair tool box on green truck § Work on budgets § Met with Julie and Scott (Itasca County) on Hwy 7 project § Install controller on Savich station § Install manhole cover plugs on Rajala Mill Rd § Locate meeting for rest of street signs § Bergquist testing for phos after tank cleanout § Price quotes for ASV § Repair Snapper mower deck shaft and sheave bad § Cut off old culvert, Lutheran church area § Met with brushing crew from MP&L, showed areas of concern, will remove only problem trees, brush 2007 § Met with MP&L on power line behind Over 50 Club § Work on insurance checklist for Kevin Hovila § Showed city house several times § Patch – Ash, Rajala Mill, Spruce Streets § Sludge judge pond with MRWA, moved personal boat to ponds § Sample for discharge § Start discharge pond #2 § Attended pre-construction meeting on Division Ave culvert replacement Appendix B, cont.

§ Discharge sample to Grand Rapids § Budget meetings (2) § Daily rounds, garbage, monthly paperwork, quarterly testing of water, lead and copper testing results back – ok, lawn mowing continues

Wastewater 1,853,000 Water 1,476,500 I&I 376,500 Snow/Rain 3.6”

Chemical Usage Pot. Perm 11.25# @ 2.1536 $24.23 Flouride 6.7 @ .4396 $2.95 Caustic Soda 7.0 @ 4.18 $26.39 Chlorine 21# @ 1.2569 $78.65 $0.0000532 per gallon

Backwash Water Indication water 486 Backwash 10,800 11,286

Trucks Gallons Cost Miles White 28.125 $73.13 132 Green 28.1 $80.00 465