COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 19, 2013 The City Council of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, met in regular session at 5:00 p.m. on in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The following Councilmembers were present: Brown, Cullen, Dagg, Hahn, Haj and Sollom. Councilmembers Kajewski and Schmalz were absent. Dagg chaired the meeting. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS/PUBLIC INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS Scott MeKash received the Officer of the Year Award Chief Murphy acknowledged that the Police Department staff selected Officer Scott MeKash as Officer of the Year. Murphy stated that MeKash is a self motivated officer who is good at report writing, traffic control, and in general goes the extra mile to do his job. He has a good appearance and is always positive. MeKash is a mentor to others and in general an excellent part of the team. MeKash responded by saying he was appreciative of the award and said anyone of the other officers could have been selected. He thanked his fellow officers. MeKash also said that the award probably should have gone to Mike Puetz, who is leaving the department as a result of an injury on the job. MeKash praised Puetz for his good service to the City and Department. Acknowledgment of Mike Puetz resignation by City Administrator Kruse City Administrator Kruse acknowledged receipt of a letter of resignation from Police Sergeant Mike Puetz. Kruse reviewed the February 14 th letter whereby Puetz said he enjoyed working for the City for the past 20 years. Due to his work related injury in December of 2011, he will be accepting a disability pension through PERA. Puetz s last day of employment will be. Murphy stated that the Department hosted cake and coffee earlier this afternoon, and that Sergeant Puetz had a previous commitment and could not make the meeting. Kruse said it is with regrets that we see Puetz leave the City. Murphy, Kruse, Mayor Dagg and the Council thanked Sergeant Puetz for his dedicated service and wish him well in the future. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Sollom motioned, being seconded by Councilmember Cullen, to approve the agenda with the addition of four items. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved. RESOLUTION NO. 2-35-13: APPROVAL OF COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS No. 2-35-13, being seconded by Councilmember Brown, that:
Page 2 of 7 RESOLVED, by the City Council, to approve February 5, 2013 and February 12, 2013 Hearing Proceedings. RESOLUTION NO. 2-36-13: APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF BILLS No. 2-36-13, being seconded by Councilmember Brown, that: RESOLVED, by the City Council, to authorize payment of bills and disbursements in the total amount of $1,790,482.77. A printout of the approved payments and disbursements is attached hereto and made a part hereof. RESOLUTION NO. 2-37-13: RESOLUTION APPROVING PROGRESSION RAISE FOR JAMES ANDERSON, ELECTRIC FOREMAN No. 2-37-13, being seconded by Councilmember Brown, that: RESOLVED, by the City Council, to accept a Public Utilities Committee recommendation to grant James Anderson, Electric Foreman, a progression raise. Mr. Anderson shall progress to Step 3 of 3 Electric Foreman salary schedule, for a new hourly wage of $29.78 effective February 22, 2013. RESOLUTION NO. 2-38-13: APPROVAL OF PROGRESSION RAISE FOR JEREMY SRNSKY, ELECTRICIAN/POWER PLANT OPERATOR No. 2-38-13, being seconded by Councilmember Brown, that: RESOLVED, by the City Council, to accept a Public Utilities Committee recommendation to grant Jeremy Srnsky, Electrician/Power Plant Operator, a progression raise. Mr. Srnsky shall progress to Step 9 of 9, of the Electrician/Power Plant Operator salary schedule, for a new hourly wage of $24.86 effective February 21, 2013.
Page 3 of 7 RESOLUTION NO. 2-39-13: APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL FROM BARR ENGINEERING CO. FOR DAM RELATED ENGINEERING SERVICES No. 2-39-13, being seconded by Councilmember Brown, that: WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 2-55-12, Barr Engineering was hired to complete a Consultant s Safety Inspection report on the condition of the Dam and the DSSMR report. In their inspection noted the following: 1. A high reading on the #1 piezometer which could indicate a slight water leakage on the earth embankment by the Dam. 2. The survey data from 2012 indicated apparent movement of the survey points of more than ½ inch and the need to be revaluated for future reports required by FERC. 3. A report required for a Downstream Embankment Retaining Wall Stability Analysis. 4. Complete a 2013 DSSNR Report. 5. Complete a STID Update on all work completed in 2013. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council, to authorize and direct the City Administrator to execute an agreement with Barr Engineering Co. to provide the above engineering services at an estimated cost of $23,384.00. RESOLUTION NO. 2-40-13: APPROVAL OF QUOTE SUBMITTED BY WESCO FOR ONE 112.5 KVA TRANSFORMER AND ONE 75 KVA TRANSFORMER FOR THE 14 TH STREET TO CENEX PROPANE OVERHEAD TO UNDERGROUND PROJECT No. 2-40-13, being seconded by Councilmember Brown, that: BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council, to accept the quote submitted by Wesco for one 112.5 KVA transformer in the amount of $7,689 and one 75 KVA transformer in the amount of $6,698 for a total cost of $14,387 for the 14 th Street to Cenex Propane overhead to underground project. RESOLUTION NO. 2-41-13: APPROVAL OF SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT WITH JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, NA. AND ROCKY AND STACEY WIKERT
Page 4 of 7 No. 2-41-13, being seconded by Councilmember Brown, that: RESOLVED, by the City Council, that the City hereby agrees to subordinate its position on a slow second mortgage issued by the City of Thief River Falls to Rocky and Stacey Wikert to JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA. on property legally described as Lot Seven, Block Three, Elementary First Addition, Thief River Falls, MN. RESOLUTIONO NO. 2-42-13: ORDERING THE 2013 STREET AND UTILITIES IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS Mark Borseth, Engineering Services Director, presented a recommendation. Following discussion, Councilmember Cullen introduced Resolution No. 2-42-13, being seconded by Councilmember Hahn, that: WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 1-24-13, adopted on January 22, 2013, a date was established to conduct a public hearing on the following proposed improvements: 1) Edgewood Dr., Kenwood Ct., Idlewood Ct., Westwood Ct. Bituminous Resurfacing; 2) Municipal Parking Lot No. 3 Bituminous Milling & Resurfacing; 3) South Tenth Street Water and Sewer Extensions; 4) Woodland Court Street Improvements; 5) Spruce Avenue South Wearing Course; 6) Raedel s First Addition Street and Utilities Improvements; and 7) Sanford Hospital Sanitary Sewer, Lift Station and Force Main WHEREAS, ten days mailed notice and two weeks published notice of the hearing was given, the hearing was held at 7:00 p.m. on the 12 th day of February, 2013 at which time all persons desiring to be heard were given an opportunity to be heard thereon. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council, that: 1) Such improvements are necessary, cost-effective, and feasible as detailed in the Feasibility Report; 2) Such improvements are hereby ordered as proposed; 3) The Engineering Services Director shall assist Widseth, Smith, & Nolting, as the designated engineers for these improvements. They shall prepare plans and specifications for the making of such improvements; and, 4) The City Council declares its official intent to provide interim financing of the improvements through the use of reserves and/or outside funding.
Page 5 of 7 RESOLUTION NO. 2-43-12: RESOLUTION APPROVING SPEED LIMIT AND PARKING CHANGES TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ADJACENT TO FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Mark Borseth, Engineering Services Director, presented a recommendation. Following discussion, Councilmember Haj introduced Resolution No. 2-43-13, being seconded by Councilmember Sollom, that: WHEREAS, there has been a long time concern about pedestrian safety adjacent to Franklin Middle School; and WHEREAS, several meetings were held with the City, school district and MnDOT to study the problem and identify a solution; and WHEREAS, it was determined to implement the following to resolve the issue: 1. Establish a 20-mph school zone speed limit on Spruce Avenue from Nora Street to Hughes Street. 2. Allow parking on the east side of Spruce Avenue from Nora to Hughes with a two-hour limit during school hours. 3. Restrict parking and stopping during school days from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the west side of Spruce Avenue from Nora to Hughes. Note: The school district is planning to limit a.m. ingress to Franklin Middle School to the north and south end parking lot doors. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, to accept a Public Works Committee recommendation and implement the above changes to improve pedestrian safety adjacent to Franklin Middle School. RESOLUTION NO. 2-44-13: APPROVAL TO WRITE OFF UNCOLLECTIBLE UTILITY ACCOUNT AND CERTIFY TO PENNINGTON COUNTY AUDITOR Larry Kruse, City Administrator, presented a recommendation. Following discussion, Councilmember Cullen introduced Resolution No. 2-44-13, being seconded by Councilmember Brown, that: RESOLVED, that the following account shall have the unpaid charges certified to the property owners property tax, as authorized by law:
Page 6 of 7 113901 $4,156.86 303 Riverside Ave S Porters Addition Lot 1 thru 3 and N. ½ of Lot 11 and Lots 12 thru 14 Block 10 25.005.064.00 TOTAL TAX ROLL $4,156.86 RESOLUTION NO. 2-45-13: APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT OF WILLIAM PUPPE, PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE STREET/SANITATION EMPLOYEE Larry Kruse, City Administrator, presented a recommendation. Following discussion, Councilmember Sollom introduced Resolution No. 2-45-13, being seconded by Councilmember Haj, that: RESOLVED, by the City Council, to approve the employment of William Puppe as a Public Works Maintenance Street/Sanitation Employee. Mr. Puppe shall be placed at Step 3 of the Public Works Maintenance Street/Sanitation salary schedule, effective March 11, 2013, at an hourly salary of $18.39 per hour. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment background requirements. RESOLUTION NO. 2-46-13: APPROVAL OF TEMPORARY ON-SALE INTOXICATING LIQUOR LICENSE EXTENSION TO OUTSIDE AREA FOR EAGLES CLUB Larry Kruse, City Administrator, presented a recommendation. Following discussion, Councilmember Hahn introduced Resolution No. 2-46-13, being seconded by Councilmember Cullen, that: RESOLVED, by the City Council, to approve a temporary extension of the Eagles Club On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License to an outside designated area effective on March 2, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS City Council Meeting Monday, March 4, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.\ City County Meeting at Dee s Restaurant March 4, 2013 at 7:00 a.m. Day at the Capital Event March 5, 2013 Utilities Committee Meeting March 11, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. Parks & Recreation/Public Safety Committee Meeting March 12, 2013 at 4:30 p.m.
Page 7 of 7 Public Works Committee Meeting March 13, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. Administrative Services Committee Meeting March 14, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. City Council Meeting Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Investment Summary dated 1/31/2013 Fire Department Annual Report ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, Councilmember Cullen moved, being seconded by Councilmember Haj, to adjourn the meeting at 6:00 p.m. On vote being taken, the Chair declared the motion unanimously carried and the meeting adjourned to the City Council Meeting on March 4, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Jim Dagg, Mayor Attest: Larry Kruse, City Administrator