April 6, 2009

SURREY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2009

 

Council President Dana Larsen called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m.  Present were Council Members Terry Johnson, Blaine Klein (when noted), Dana Larsen, Jarvis Sasse, and Laura Volk.  Also present were Jason Strand of Ackerman-Estvold, Chief of Police Brad Seideman, Police Officer Al Schlag, PWS Greg Lemer, Deputy Auditor Rosemary McNamara and Auditor Elaine Christianson.  Mayor Steve Fennewald and Council Member Kevin Nelsen were absent.

 

The Agenda was reviewed.  No additions were made.

 

Council President Larsen read the consent agenda: Review and approve the 03/02/09 regular meeting minutes; Approve financial reports and payments of payroll in the amount of $23,896.29 and bills to be paid in the amount of $47,120.73; Approve the Mayor’s Employee Hours, Municipal Court, Police, Public Works, and Auditor reports.  Motion to approve the consent agenda – Volk/Johnson.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Johnson-aye; Sasse-aye; motion carried 3-0.

 

Under Unfinished Business, Christianson updated Council on the grants applied for the police and public works departments.  The total amount received in grant requests was $3.9 Million and the total amount available for award was $300,000.  The City of Surrey received no funding.

 

Under Monthly Business, all paperwork was in order from the Minot Hockey Boosters’ request to renew their gaming license at the Steer Head Saloon.  Motion to approve the renewal of the gaming license for the Minot Hockey Boosters – Johnson/Sasse.  Roll call vote:  Johnson-aye; Sasse-aye; Volk-aye; motion carried 3-0.

 

Special Assessment Committee Member Stacy Horn’s term is up.  Ms. Horn has agreed to be reappointed to the committee.  Motion to appoint Stacy Horn for 6 years to the Special Assessment Committee – Sasse/Volk.  Roll call vote:  Sasse-aye; Volk-aye; Johnson-aye; motion carried 3-0.

 

Council Member Blaine Klein entered the meeting.

 

Also under Monthly Business, Council was informed the Tax Equalization Meeting with Ward County Tax Director Mike Vendsel will be held April 28, 2009 at 7:00pm.  Christianson presented correspondence regarding the Fox channel and the NFL channel from Midcontinent Communications.  Discussion was held about City Government Week and the Mayor for a Day contest.  Motion to declare April 13-17, 2009 City Government Week and to hold the Mayor for a Day contest – Johnson/Volk.  Roll call vote:  Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Klein-aye; motion carried 4-0.  Council was informed of a Special Meeting scheduled for April 9, 2009 at 7:00pm called by Council Members Nelsen and Klein to discuss snow removal.

 

Under the Auditor’s Report, Christianson discussed the Magic Fund Rural Marketing Match application and requirements for promoting the City of Surrey.  Motion to apply for $3,500 from the Magic Fund Rural Marketing Match program to be matched with monies from the Advertising Fund – Sasse/Johnson.  Roll call vote:  Sasse-aye; Klein-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; motion carried 4-0.  Discussion was held regarding Sweeney Brothers, Volvo, and the L90 loader lease agreement.  Consensus of the Council is not to do anything at this time, including not returning the loader.  An ad for two lots for sale in the Springtime Addition was discussed, along with no Northwest lift station.  Council President Larsen and Christianson updated Council on the Snow Reimbursement Request status.  Christianson discussed the March 5th incident that happened in Hebron over a resident’s delinquent water bill.  Finally, under the Auditor’s Report, discussion was held about the power outage and the need to install switches for the lift stations to be run by generators.  Council requested Lemer update the quotes he received last fall and put it on next month’s agenda.

 

Under the Engineer’s Report, Strand indicated that City Engineer Alan Estvold is directing the City to declare a flood emergency.  Council held discussion.  Motion to authorize Mayor Fennewald and Council Vice President Klein to make that declaration if needed – Klein/Sasse.  Roll call vote: Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Volk-aye; Johnson-aye; motion carried 4-0. 

 

Under the Police Report, Seideman found $1,000 in grant monies from the State for the purpose of patrol saturation to help prevent underage drinking.  These grant monies will need to be expended by May 31, 2009.  Seideman requested Council approve the contract so he can use the funds for patrol saturation during prom and graduation. Motion to approve the Mayor to sign the grant contract – Volk/Johnson.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Johnson-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; motion carried 4-0.

 

Next, Seideman again addressed Council about purchasing a new police car.  He is going to be attending a meeting with Ward County, the City of Minot, and other Ward County cities regarding available funds from the City of Minot Police Department.  He stated he believes he will be awarded a minimum of $3,600 and up to $7,200 to help with the purchase of police car equipment and that Minot Police Chief Balentine has discussed the City of Surrey purchasing one of Minot’s used Mobile Data Terminals at a reduced cost. Seideman also discussed the $3,000 increase in the price of the car after May 1st, 2009.  Motion to authorize the purchase of a new Dodge Charger police car and equipment not to exceed $28,000 total as long as the Surrey Police Department is awarded a minimum of $3,600 from the City of Minot – Johnson/Volk.  Roll call vote:  Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; Sasse-nay; Klein-nay; motion tied.  Council President Larsen voted aye to break the tie; motion carried 3-2.

 

No other business, Council President Larsen adjourned at 8:28p.m.