January 7, 2008
SURREY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2008
Mayor Steve Fennewald called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m. Present were Council Members Terry Johnson, Dana Larsen, Kevin Nelsen, and Laura Volk. Also present were Jason Strand of Ackerman-Estvold, City Engineer Alan Estvold, Chief of Police Brad Seideman, PWS Frank Wollschlager, and City Auditor Elaine Christianson. Council Members Blaine Klein and Jarvis Sasse were absent.
The agenda was reviewed. Ward County Deputy Laura Forbes, Randy Ruby of Circle Sanitation, and correspondence with North Prairie Rural Water District were added.
Mayor Fennewald read the consent agenda: Review and approve the 12/03/07 regular meeting minutes; Approve financial reports and payments of payroll in the amount of $21,428.82 and bills to be paid in the amount of $25,077.04; Approve the Municipal Court, Police and Public Works Reports; Designate First Western Bank and Trust as the official depository. Larsen made a motion to approve the consent agenda items. Johnson seconded. Roll call vote: Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Ward County Deputy Laura Forbes was available for questions from the Council.
Under monthly business, discussion was held regarding the second reading of Ordinance 6.0607 – License – Qualifications for. The Ward County residency requirement is being removed. Motion made by Nelsen, seconded by Larsen to accept the second reading. Roll call vote: Nelsen-aye; Larsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye. All aye, motion carried.
The Steer Head Saloon requested a license transfer for February 23, 2008 to Surrey City Hall for the Raub wedding reception. Johnson made a motion to approve the request. Volk seconded. Discussion held regarding policing requirements. Roll call vote: Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Christianson presented election information for the 2008 City of Surrey election. Current positions and their terms that are up for election: Council Members Terry Johnson (Ward 3), Blaine Klein (Ward 1), Dana Larsen (Ward 2), Municipal Judge Galen Kauffman, and Park Board Members Ken Johnson and Rollie Frothinger – all four year terms. Also a vacated Park Board Member position will be available for a two-year term. Anyone interested in running for any of these positions should contact Christianson for the required paperwork.
Discussion was held regarding the Christmas Eve workday. Volk made a motion to approve four hours of holiday pay for the full-time employees for Christmas Eve. Johnson seconded. Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Johnson-aye; Nelsen-aye; Larsen-aye. All aye, motion carried. Further discussion held regarding the Christmas Eve Holiday. Larsen made a motion to amend the Personnel Policy to include: “In addition, the City office will close for the last four hours on December 24 when it falls on Monday through Thursday and employees will receive 4 hours of holiday pay.” Volk seconded. Roll call vote: Larsen-aye; Volk-aye; Johnson-aye; Nelsen-aye. All aye, motion carried.
As Council Member Blaine Klein was absent, discussion regarding 3rd Avenue Northeast (South of 2nd Street Northeast) will be tabled until the next meeting.
Randy Ruby from Circle Sanitation held discussion with Council regarding the implementation timeline for the garbage totes. Much discussion held. Circle Sanitation will be sending out a survey to residents. Discussion held that the totes would be for household garbage only. A separate dumpster by city hall will be available grass clippings and yard waste.
No Unfinished Business to discuss.
Under the Engineer’s Report, there was no business to discuss.
Seideman requested permission to install no parking signs by the Fire Department driveways on 1st Avenue Southwest. Discussion held. Larsen made a motion to approve the installation in the spring for the signs. Volk seconded. Roll call vote: Larsen-aye; Volk-aye; Johnson-aye; Nelsen-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Seideman requested permission to attend three separate trainings: 1) Death and Homicide in West Fargo in February, 2) Search Warrants in West Fargo in April and 3) High Risk Event Planning in May. Larsen made a motion to approve the training. Nelsen seconded. Mayor Fennewald held discussion regarding the training with Seideman. Roll call vote: Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Seideman reported to Council that a grant request for a new radar unit was looking promising. He will have more information for the next meeting.
Wollschlager held discussion with Council regarding the household water meters and water meters for the school and cistern. Volk made a motion to permit Wollschlager to purchase 40 household meters. Larsen seconded. Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried. Larsen made a motion to permit Wollschlager to purchase a compound water meter for the school. Nelsen seconded. Roll call vote: Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye. All aye, motion carried. Wollschlager will wait on the purchase of the cistern meter at this time.
Discussion was held regarding a part-time public works employee. Council advised Christianson to post the position with Job Service and on the back of the January water billing. Item will be tabled until the March Council meeting.
Wollschlager discussed the newly purchased 1997 Dodge pickup. Discussion held regarding potential ideas for the old city pickup. Item will be tabled until the March Council meeting.
Wollschlager requested permission to attend training in Bismarck in January. Volk made a motion to approve the training. Larsen seconded. Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Christianson requested permission to withdraw funds from the general checking account to combine with the final CD to create a total CD in the amount of $12,000. Larsen made such motion. Nelsen seconded. Roll call vote: Larsen-aye, Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Christianson presented some ideas to Council regarding automatic water bill payments and accepting credit card payments. Poll will be submitted to residents on the January water bill. Item will be tabled until March Council meeting.
Christianson requested permission to attend Human Resource Training in Bismarck in January. Volk made a motion to approve training. Nelsen seconded. Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Larsen-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Christianson presented year-end transfers. Discussion held. Johnson made a motion to approve year-end transfers as presented. Larsen seconded. Roll call vote: Johnson-aye; Larsen-aye; Volk-aye; Nelsen-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Discussion was held with Council regarding the process for nominations to the North Prairie Rural Water District board. Mayor Fennewald is interested in serving on this board. Christianson will follow up with North Prairie.
Under other business, discussion was held regarding a thank you card from Waste Management and new tables and chairs for the Council meetings.