CITY OF GRAFTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 10, 2017 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Grafton, North Dakota was held in the Council Chambers, City Hall, Grafton, North Dakota at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 10, 2017. Mayor Chris West presided. Members present: Dave Fellman, Don Hutson, Chris Lipsh, Shane Mohn, Phil Ray, Brian Sieben, Mary Stark, and Greg Young. Others present: Nick Ziegelmann, Nick Hall, Tony Dumas, Brian Erovick, Russ Geddes, Kevin Sevigny, Scott Boura, Lewis Sondeland, Vern Schnellbach, Becky Schnellbach, Bobbi Hoepper Olsen, Todd Kjelland, and Mike Steinfeldt. PUBLIC HEARINGS A public hearing was held to consider closing the east railroad track crossings at 2 nd and 3 rd Street. Mayor West read a statement submitted by Steve and Rachel Fisher of 329 Cooper Avenue stating they had no objection with the closing of the tracks if the train would no longer blow its horn at those crossings. Mayor West explained Federal law would not require them to blow their horn any longer at those crossings. Lewis Sondeland said he felt it was a good idea to close the tracks although he said it would increase the traffic on Wakeman Avenue and speeding on the street is already an issue. Mayor West said unfortunately the police cannot always be present in that area but there has been some discussion of placing a portable system with cameras to check for speeding. Mayor West asked City Administrator Ziegelmann to remind the City employees to watch their speed as the area will be patrolled a bit more. Vern and Becky Schnellbach expressed concern that once the tracks are closed the alley between 2 nd and 3 rd Street will be used quite a bit and speed is also an issue. It was discussed that maintenance of the alley will be necessary. Mike Steinfeldt said improvements may be needed to Stephen Avenue to access Elmwood. It was moved by Mr. Fellman and seconded by Mr. Hutson that Ordinance No. 314 entitled, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRAFTON, NORTH DAKOTA, PROVIDING THAT THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF GRAFTON, BE AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO BE NUMBERED ; PROVIDING FOR THE CLOSURE OF RAILROAD CROSSINGS ON SECOND STREET AND THIRD STREET be placed on second reading and adopted contingent upon approval of the Cost and Maintenance Agreement with Burlington Northern Railroad. On roll call vote the following voted in favor thereof: Mr. Fellman, Mr. Hutson, Mr. Lipsh, Mr. Mohn, Mr. Ray, Mr. Sieben, Ms. Stark, and Mr. Young. Those opposed: None. Mayor West CONSENT AGENDA Mayor West asked if any Council member wanted to remove any item from the Consent Agenda. Mr. Fellman noted an error in that Len Wysocki was listed as present in the June 2 City Council minutes rather than Phil Ray. Mayor West also announced that a Game of Chance application for the Lutheran Sunset Home was added to the agenda. It was moved by Ms. Stark and seconded by Mr. Young to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
IV. CONSENT AGENDA 4.1 Approval of Minutes: a) City Council regular meeting of June 12, 2017. b) Ways and Means Committee no July meeting. c) Public Utilities Committee no July meeting. 4.2 Reports of Officers: a) City Auditor-Treasurer b) Municipal Judge c) Chief of Police d) Building Official e) Parks and Recreation f) Others, if any 4.3 Game of Chance applications: a) Valley Cruisers b) Lutheran Sunset Home On roll call vote the following voted in favor thereof: Mr. Fellman, Mr. Hutson, Mr. Lipsh, Mr. Mohn, Mr. Ray, Mr. Sieben, Ms. Stark, and Mr. Young. Those opposed: None. Mayor West BILLS, CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS It was moved by Mr. Fellman and seconded by Mr. Young that the General, Special, Capital Projects, Debt Service, and Enterprise Funds bills be approved for payment in accordance with the listing submitted; said listing to be a part of these minutes as if herein set out verbatim. On roll call vote the following voted in favor thereof: Mr. Fellman, Mr. Hutson, Mr. Lipsh, Mr. Mohn, Mr. Ray, Mr. Sieben, Ms. Stark and Mr. Young. Those opposed: None. Mayor West REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES It was moved by Mr. Young and seconded by Mr. Ray to approve the Utility financial reports of May, 2017 as presented. All members were present and voted in favor thereof; Mayor West The City Administrator provided a Street Department report in the absence of Street Superintendent Rock Desautel. There are 4 large frost boils, which will be repaired by Knife River later this summer. The Street Department will repair the smaller frost boils with concrete. The Street Department has identified 15-20 trees on the boulevards on the east side of town that have Dutch elm disease; they will be removed as time permits. Mr. Hutson reported he has seen
commercial operators dumping trees at the 5 th Street compost site; it was agreed that is permitted as long as the trees are from within the city limits. Also, sometimes it is too wet for the commercial operators to haul trees to the landfill. Power Superintendent Russ Geddes reported of the eight parts included in the electrical feeder relocation project for the Flood Risk Reduction Project, the contractor is about halfway complete with the first part. The contractor started last week so the work is going slowly. The Power Department shut off the traffic signals on 7 th and 8 th Street for the Highway 81 maintenance project. The D&E sectionalizer was energized last week. Everything is ready at the sectionalizer by the hospital and next week there will be a scheduled outage to energize the new primary metering cabinet for that sectionalizer. Police Chief Dumas introduced Brian Erovick who has been hired to fill the vacant Deputy Police Chief position. Mr. Erovick is originally from Grafton and he has 29 years police experience. Mr. Erovick thanked the Council and stated that he was very happy to be back to Grafton. Chief Dumas reported that Summerfest went very well with very few problems. Acting Superintendent Kevin Sevigny reported the results from the State Health Department for the level of nitrates and nitrites, which is fertilizer, in the water. The maximum contaminants levels are 10 mg per liter and Grafton is at.64 mg per liter. Mr. Sevigny said those numbers were lower than in the past and he was very happy with the results of the tests. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES Mayor West reported the Economic Development Committee increased the City contribution to the Centennial Center project (PACE loan) from $15,000 to $25,000 which is still within the original appropriation for repairing the Centennial Center lobby roof. Mayor West reported the spec building lease with K Line will begin September 1 st. Cimarron has had their auction so the equipment on the property should be removed this week. UNFINISHED BUSINESS City Administrator Ziegelmann provided a Flood Risk Reduction Project update based on information he received from Jon Markusen of Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson. KLJ is still working on the Construction Maintenance Agreement with BNSF. There is no word from the State Water Commission regarding the.1 vs..5 for the impacts. The Walsh County Water District reviewed the Construction Permit and had no objections. City Attorney Hall reported they are proceeding well with property and easement acquisitions and are closing about 2 properties per week. There are only a few property acquisitions that do not have a purchase agreement. Mr. Ziegelmann said all the shoo fly plans have been approved. The utility relocation work is progressing; Polar and KXPO are done, Ottertail and Minnkota are hoping to be done before winter, Century Link and Midco do not have their plans approved yet, and the WBI line will be moved on the 24 th of July. Mr. Ziegelmann said if a farmer removes the weeds from the land purchased by the City,
they have been asked to send a bill to the City. Mr. Ziegelmann said no appeals were filed with the Court for the Drain 87 assessment district. Construction bid letting will take place late August or early September. It was moved by Mr. Lipsh and seconded by Mr. Fellman that Ordinance No. 315 entitled, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND IN PART, ORDINANCE NO. 119 AS SET FORTH IN APPENDIX A ZONING OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GRAFTON, NORTH DAKOTA RELATING TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT be placed on second reading and adopted. On roll call vote the following voted in favor thereof: Mr. Fellman, Mr. Hutson, Mr. Lipsh, Mr. Mohn, Mr. Ray, Mr. Sieben, Ms. Stark, and Mr. Young. Those opposed: None. Mayor West declared the motion. NEW BUSINESS It was moved by Mr. Hutson and seconded by Mr. Young that Resolution No. 1731 entitled, A RESOLUTION DECLARING A SURPLUS IN MUNICIPAL UTILITIES DEPARTMENT FUNDS, AND DIRECTING THE TRANSFER THEREOF TO THE GENERAL, RECREATION AND MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT FUNDS be adopted. On roll call vote the following voted in favor thereof: Mr. Fellman, Mr. Hutson, Mr. Lipsh, Mr. Mohn, Mr. Ray, Mr. Sieben, Ms. Stark, and Mr. Young. Those opposed: None. Mayor West declared the motion carried and Resolution No. 1731 duly adopted. It was moved by Mr. Lipsh and seconded by Mr. Hutson to approve first reading of an ordinance entitled, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP ACCOMPANYING APPENDIX A (ZONING ORDINANCE) OF THE CITY OF GRAFTON CODE OF ORDINANCES TO REZONE STATE SCHOOL FIRST ADDITION, that the request be referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission for recommendation, and that a public hearing be advertised for the City Council meeting, Monday, August 14 th. Mr. Zeigelmann reported the former Job Service building on the corner of Hwy 17 and School Road has been transferred to the Department of Human Services and they have requested the property be rezoned from A-1 Agriculture to B-2 General Business District. Staff recommends that all of Lots 1 and 2, Block 1, State School First Addition be rezoned to B2 General Business District. On roll call vote the following voted in favor thereof: Mr. Fellman, Mr. Hutson, Mr. Lipsh, Mr. Mohn, Mr. Ray, Mr. Sieben, Ms. Stark, and Mr. Young. Mayor West Bobbi Hepper Olson of Hepper Olson Architects explained her firm completed an Armory and Library Mechanical and Electrical Building Evaluation to assist with prioritizing which project would be best to submit for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application. The Red River Regional Council has $190,000 available for Community Development Block grants for which the City of Grafton qualifies. Ms. Olson reported that it was determined new boilers and air handlers are necessary for both the Armory and Library buildings. The first phase of the Armory project would cost approximately $600,000-$700,000, even with the CDBG, the balance would be more than the City could afford. Phase I of the Library project would be to install a new gas boiler at a cost of $190,000 and supplemental hot water heating units in the east office area to replace the electric baseboard for $5,000. After considerable discussion as to the available funds for the local share in the Building Fund, the necessity for more projects than
there is sufficient funding to accomplish, and the need to continue making progress on repairing these buildings, it was moved by Mr. Sieben to approve a Resolution for Sponsorship for Community Development Block Grant for the Library gas boiler with supplemental heating units in the east office project in the amount of $195,000. Mr. Ray seconded the motion. On roll call vote the following voted in favor thereof: Mr. Fellman, Mr. Hutson, Mr. Lipsh, Mr. Mohn, Mr. Ray, Mr. Sieben, Ms. Stark and Mr. Young. Those opposed: None. Mayor West declared the motion carried. It was moved by Mr. Hutson and seconded by Mr. Young to donate the black folding chairs used at the Armory to the Chamber of Commerce. All members were present and voted in favor thereof; Mayor West CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS The North Dakota League of Cities Annual Conference will be held at the Fargo Delta by Marriot on September 28-30. Meetings will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesdays at City Hall with the NDDOT and the contractor regarding the Highway 81 maintenance project. The first Ways and Means Budget Committee meeting will be held August 7 th following the regular Committee meetings. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Hutson, and carried to adjourn the meeting. * * * * * * * * * * Connie A. Johnson, City Auditor Chris West, Mayor