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

City of Bigfork

Regular Meeting September 13, 2006

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

Absent: Lonnie Kacon

The meeting was called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.

Public Forum: Mayor Tendrup asked that any members of the audience wishing to address the Council do so at this time. Carolyn Welch thanked the VFW for the hard work that was put into the downstairs of the Village Hall. Tendrup closed the public forum.

Mayor Tendrup also thanked the VFW for all the labor and love that they put into the renovation.

Tendrup then called for any changes to the agenda. Motion made by Pifher, seconded by Salmi to add City Engineer Julie Kennedy’s report to Old Business, Resolution 2006-22 for North American Communications and the WilderNest Culvert Clearing to Other Business, Motion Carried Unanimously (MCU).

Consent Agenda #1- approval of the minutes of the August 8th regular Council meeting

#2- approval of the Police Report for August 2006

#3- approval of the City Clerk’s Office Report for August 2006

#4- approval of the Budget Report for August 2006

#5- approval of changes made to the Personnel Policy

#6- approval of the claims for payment in the amount of $46,913.90 including the August 15th, and 31st payrolls

(copies of documentation relating to any consent agenda item are available at the City Clerk’s office)

Motion by Lexvold to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Amy Pifher. (MCU)

OLD BUSINESS:

Bigfork Township Operating Public Beach: Mayor Tendrup opened the meeting up for comments. Gene Rajala said that he thought the City should keep the beach, find funding, and operate it correctly. Salmi agreed that the City should keep control of the beach. Tendrup asked the Council if they had any thoughts. Pifher said that residents have been telling her that the City should not sell. Tendrup and Salmi said that they’ve been hearing the same thing. Motion made by Salmi to keep the beach and find funding, seconded by Lexvold. MCU. Stevens asked that the council decide on the raft, as there is still a bid pending on one section. The bid was $400 for half of the raft. Motion made by Salmi to keep the raft, seconded by Pifher. MCU.

City Engineer's Report: Julie Kennedy was unable to attend the Council meeting but sent the Council a packet of information, two items of which needed action. The first item was the Scenic 7 Utility and Road Improvement Project. It is Kennedy’s recommendation that the Council approve the final payment to Casper Construction in the amount of $28,984.60 to formally close-out this project. Motion made by Pifher to pay Casper in the amount of $28,984.60, seconded by Lexvold. MCU.

The second item is the Airport Pavement Rehabilitation Project. Kennedy recommended completing the repair/sealing this year. The quote that she received was $23,750, which, minus the $19,000 grant, leaves $4750 for the City to pay. Salmi asked if the City could postpone that repair until next year or if something could be worked out with the county for overlay. Pifher stated that the City could possibly lose the grant if the repair was postponed that long. Gene Collins suggested shutting down the airport during the winter. Salmi asked if anyone had spoken to Bergquist. Tendrup replied that a lot of “anonymous” donations had been received. Motion made by Salmi to table the issue, motion died for lack of a second. Motion made by Lexvold to solicit more quotes, seconded by Pifher, with Salmi abstaining. Motion Carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

Liquor Store Funds & Budget Committee: Tendrup stated that the Budget Committee had been working on the 2007 budget. She said that the Committee had determined that by paying off the Bobcat, the City would save interest which would help balance the budget, without increasing the tax levy. She suggested using the liquor store funds to pay off the Bobcat. She also said that there could be money left from the liquor store funds to put into CDs. Motion made by Pifher to use liquor store funds to pay off the Bobcat, seconded by Lexvold. MCU.

In order to balance the budget, some services will need to be cut. The Bigfork beach will need donations if there is going to be a lifeguard in 2007. Public internet will be provided at the City Hall. Half of the street lights will be turned off (ones not needed for safety), which will save about $5500 per year. Salmi asked if the added cost of the Public Works Superintendent was figured in. Tendrup stated that it was. Salmi noted that there were very little funds set aside for maintenance on roads. Tendrup agreed and said that funds are very limited but maybe some of the left over money from the liquor store could go into road maintenance. Pifher stated that the LGA money for the City was cut by 9% this year. Salmi asked where the City can make up this loss. Tendrup said that the City no longer has the expense of the bar with heating, etc. and by cutting things like street lights, the City can make up for some of the loss. Salmi suggested cutting down on Special Meetings and the use of City Attorney Andy Shaw. Tendrup agreed.

Tendrup did say that water and sewer rates will increase to help pay for things that need maintenance in that department. Water and sewer rates should have been increasing all along, but the general fund had been used for maintenance rather than the water/sewer funds. Salmi asked how much the Public Works Superintendent will be paid. Tendrup said that his salary is $36,500. Salmi asked if the salary remained the same in the budget. Tendrup said that it did. Motion by Pifher to pass Resolution 2006-21 to approve the Preliminary Budget and Tax Levy, seconded by Lexvold. MCU.

Alumni Track Update: Irl Sinclair spoke to the Council. With him were Ann McGarry, Bonnie Cole, and Joan Lester. Sinclair said that they had run into many problems with the track project, pushing it to an estimated $800,000. The State of Minnesota has a rule that if a project costs more than $400,000 that 40 acres is required. The committee regrouped and has come up with some new ideas as to how to make the project work. The football field will stay the same. The plans include an upgraded, regulation Little League baseball diamond and shot-put, discus, and long jump. The track will not be a competition track, but it will be a safe place for the kids to run. It will have a regulation curve and can be used for training in the 100 and 200 meter sprints, runs, relays, and hurdles. It will be 25% of the original cost, but the committee is still in need of funding.

Resolutions 2006-19 & 20 Censuring Richard Salmi & Affirming Council & Employee Responsibilities: Tendrup read Resolution 2006-19, which, in short, states that the City of Bigfork is separating itself from the unauthorized actions of Salmi for his unauthorized involvement with removing a manhole cover, which is a misdemeanor. Motion by Pifher to approve Resolution 2006-19, seconded by Lexvold, with Salmi abstaining. Motion Carried. Tendrup then read Resolution 2006-20, which reaffirms Council and Employee responsibilities to honesty, impartiality, and abiding by the law. Motion by Pifher to approve Resolution 2006-20, seconded by Lexvold, with Salmi abstaining. Motion Carried.

10% Pull-tab Tax: Stevens stated that she found that the resolution for the tax needs to be an ordinance. Tendrup asked Mark Davis from the Lions Club to speak. He stated that what the City would gain from the tax would be lost in grants from the Lions Club. Because the tax the City received would go into the Community fund to be used for donations, the money gained would be a wash. Mayor Tendrup recommended against the tax to allow the Lions Club to continue their grant efforts.

OTHER BUSINESS:

North American Communication Resolution 2006-22: The Resolution asks the City to authorize and consent to the transfer of control of North American Communications to ACS, its successors. Motion made by Lexvold to approve Resolution 2006-22, seconded by Pifher. MCU.

WilderNest Culvert Work: Clearing and improving of the drainage ditch that runs north and south between the school and WilderNest needs to be done. WilderNest and Julie Kennedy are asking for permission to extend the Right of Way Permit for this. Motion made by Pifher to allow this, seconded by Salmi, MCU.

Salmi asked what the status of the Mound System was. Tendrup referred to the report given by Julie Kennedy and stated that construction can be delayed until 2007.

The City of Effie would like to donate $900 worth of fireworks to the 2nd Grand Opening of the Hospital, but it would cost the City $600 for insurance. Tendrup stated that she thought that the fire ban was still in effect. The Council discussed it, but no decision to move forward was made.

There were questions about Resolutions 2006-19 & 20. Tendrup stated that the Resolutions were just a statement to say that Salmi was operating without the Council’s permission.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 pm.

Tranette Stevens

Acting City Clerk

These minutes are available on the City website at www.cityofbigfork.com.

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Angie Storlie City Clerk/Treasurer City of Bigfork ctyclerk@bigfork.net 218-743-3782