September 8, 2008

SURREY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2008

 

Mayor Steve Fennewald called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m.  Present were Mayor Steve Fennewald, Council Members Terry Johnson, Blaine Klein, Dana Larsen, Kevin Nelsen, Jarvis Sasse, and Laura Volk.  Also present were Jason Strand of Ackerman-Estvold, Police Chief Brad Seideman, PWS Greg Lemer and Auditor Elaine Christianson. 

 

The agenda was reviewed.  The following items were added to the agenda:  Blue Cross Blue Shield Contract(Christianson), 2nd Street Northeast(Klein), Garbage Totes(Larsen).

 

Mayor Fennewald read the consent agenda: Review and approve the 08/04/08 regular meeting minutes and the 08/25/08 special meeting minutes; Approve financial reports and payments of payroll in the amount of $12,663.36 and bills to be paid in the amount of $31,984.10; Approve the Mayor’s Employee Hours, Municipal Court, Police and Public Works Reports.  Motion to approve the consent agenda – Larsen/Nelsen.  Roll call vote:  Larsen-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Klein-aye; Volk-aye; motion carried 6-0.

 

There was no unfinished business to discuss.

 

Motion to approve the request from Donna Beeter, owner of the Steer Head Saloon, to transfer her liquor license to City Hall on October 18, 2008 for a wedding reception – Sasse/Volk.  Roll call vote:  Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Johnson-aye; Larsen-aye; motion carried 6-0.

 

PWS Greg Lemer was introduced.  Motion to appoint Greg Lemer as Public Works Supervisor – Volk/Larsen.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Larsen-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Klein-aye; motion carried 6-0.

 

Christianson and Larsen updated Council about Ward County’s plan to update the warning sirens in all Ward County cities.  After the new sirens are installed, the City will have to pay for the phone lines and electricity.  Dispatch will have the ability to set the sirens off from their office during bad weather.  The new sirens will also have voice capability.

 

Mayor Fennewald discussed the resignation received from Planning and Zoning Commission Member Jamie Soper.  Motion to accept resignation – Larsen/Klein.  Roll call vote:  Larsen-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Johnson-aye; Nelsen-aye; Sasse-nay; motion carried 5-1.  Council directed a notice be put out to fill the position and a letter be sent to Soper to thank her for services.

 

Motion to approve the North Dakota Department of Health Water Testing Contract – Sasse/Nelsen.  Roll call vote: Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Klein-aye; Volk-aye; Larsen-aye; motion carried 6-0.

 

Discussion held regarding a contract from First Western Bank and Trust regarding Electronic Funds Transfers.  This contract will allow the City to have automatic withdrawals from residents’ bank accounts for water, sewer, and garbage bills if they sign up for it.  Motion to approve the contract – Sasse/Larsen.  Roll call vote:  Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Johnson-aye; Nelsen-aye; motion carried 6-0.

 

Much discussion held on the final draft of the 2009 preliminary budget.  The preliminary budget includes an increase of $1.00 for the monthly garbage billing.  The City of Minot is proposing an increase of 18% in their landfill fees.  Only because of this increase, Circle Sanitation needs to increase the contract rate to the City of Surrey.  Motion to amend Ordinance 9.0101 Rates and Charges to increase the monthly garbage rate from $12.00 per month to $13.00 per month effective January 1, 2009 – Larsen/Sasse.  More discussion held regarding the City of Minot’s rate increase and Surrey’s annual garbage expenses.  Roll call vote:  Larsen-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Klein-aye; Volk-aye; motion carried 6-0.  This is the first reading of a change to Ordinance 9.0101 Rates and Charges.  Further discussion was held on the final draft of the 2009 preliminary budget.  Seideman wanted Council to note that the police car bid is not good for the full year.  Larsen asked Seideman to again check into grants for the police car.  Motion to approve the final draft of the 2009 preliminary budget – Larsen/Johnson.  Roll call vote:  Larsen-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Klein-aye; Volk-aye; motion carried 6-0.

 

Motion to approve the contract from Blue Cross Blue Shield for employee health insurance – Volk/Klein.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Johnson-aye; Nelsen-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; motion carried 6-0.

 

Klein inquired about the status of the ditch that needs to be mowed on the south side of 2nd Street Northeast.  Christianson explained her error of not getting the initial letter out in a timely manner to the property owner.  The letter was delivered and not complied with by the deadline.  A lawn service was contacted immediately and agreed to cut it, however, due to the rain, has not been able to get to it as quickly as hoped.  Lemer explained the ditch is too steep to use the City mower and because of the mailboxes and visibility of using the tractor with the sickle, the sickle would not do an adequate job either on this ditch.  Consensus of the Council is to give additional time to the lawn service company.

 

Larsen praised the implementation of the totes by Circle Sanitation.  Discussion was held regarding options of a second tote for residents.  Christianson explained the added cost to Circle Sanitation for both supplying a second tote and the increased landfill charge because of the additional garbage from one home using two totes.  Further discussion was held regarding volume based garbage charges, recycling, and extra garbage issues.  Christianson will contact Circle Sanitation to work toward a satisfactory solution for all and present these options at the next meeting.

 

Mayor Fennewald informed Council that he, Larsen, Christianson, and Deputy Auditor Rosemary McNamara will be attending the North Dakota League of Cities Conference September 25th and 26th.  Discussion held regarding options for the office during these dates.  Consensus of the Council is to close the office. 

 

Christianson had nothing to report under the City Auditor Report.

 

Strand reported that the chip sealing has taken place on 3rd Avenue Northeast where the vault was installed.  A final bill for Engineering will be submitted at the next Council meeting.  Strand also reported that the water and sewer project for Darcy Myers’ addition would be started this fall.

 

Christianson requested permission for her and Lemer to attend a free water system training in Rugby October 21, 2008.  Motion to approve the request for training – Larsen/Volk.  Roll call vote:  Larsen-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Johnson-aye; Nelsen-aye; Sasse-aye; motion carried 6-0.  Lemer reported that it has been difficult getting a second quote on the installation of transfer switches at the lift stations, as most electricians are busy with oil field work.  Discussion held about the city pickups.

 

Seideman informed Council that his schedule would be changing, as he did not have his son’s football schedule when he did his schedule.  Other discussion was held regarding attaching the new radar unit, a gun lock for the car at approximately $140, the incident when the garage door closed on the police car, and the Mayor’s wishes of the police schedule to include information regarding sporting events at the school.  Final discussion was held regarding kids riding their bikes and skateboards in the middle of the street.  All agreed this has been an ongoing problem; however, there was disagreement over possible solutions.  Seideman was directed to speak with the kids he sees in the middle of the street and speak to the parents of repeat offenders.

 

No other business to discuss, motion to adjourn – Larsen/Klein.  Meeting adjourned at 8:48p.m.