March 3, 2008

SURREY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, MARCH 3, 2008

 

Mayor Steve Fennewald called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m. Present were Council Members Terry Johnson, Blaine Klein, Dana Larsen, Laura Volk and Kevin Nelsen.  Also present were Jason Strand of Ackerman-Estvold, City Engineer Alan Estvold, Chief of Police Brad Seideman, Police Officer Allan Schlag, PWS Frank Wollschlager, Deputy Auditor Rosemary McNamara and Otter Tail Representative Tom Miller.  Council Member Jarvis Sasse was absent. 

 

The agenda was reviewed.  Wendell Lesmeister was added.

 

Mayor Fennewald read the consent agenda: Review and approve the 02/04/08 regular meeting minutes, the 2/21/08 Special Meeting minutes, and the committee meeting minutes from 2/25/08; Approve financial reports and payments of payroll in the amount of $3,209.52 and bills to be paid in the amount of $14,333.79; Approve the Municipal Court, Police and Public Works Reports.  Larsen made a motion to approve the consent agenda items.  Klein seconded. Roll call vote: Volk-aye, Klein-aye, Larsen-aye, Nelsen-aye, Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Wendell Lesmeister of Northland Bus Company advised Council he had contacted Surrey School and developed a map of the requested bus stops. He submitted a map of the proposed stops for Council approval.  The school will pay for the signs and Lesmeister requested the City pay for the signposts. Council will review the map and get an idea of the cost involved before making any decision. 

 

Lengthy discussion was held on the water, sewer, and garbage rates.  The current rates are not going to cover any unexpected or major costs involved with maintaining and/or replacing system infrastructure.  Council requested the Public Works Superintendent and the City Auditor provide them with reports on system usage, the long-term infrastructure costs, and proposals for rate structure changes.  Motion by Larsen to amend Ordinance 9.0101, Rates and Charges, a copy of which is attached hereof and made a part hereto, for a minimum monthly charge of $20.00 per month for water and a rate of $15.00 per month for sewer.  Johnson seconded.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye, Klein-aye, Larsen-aye, Nelsen-aye, Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.  This shall be the first reading of amended Ordinance 9.0101.

 

Motion by Volk to approve Resolution 2008-2, Recognizing April 7-11 as City Government Week and holding a Mayor For A Day essay contest for the 3rd grade class.  Second by Larsen.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye, Klein-aye, Larsen-aye, Nelsen-aye, Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Surrey Mustang Boosters request a local permit for a raffle to be held on March 28th.  The money raised will go to support school activities.  All necessary paperwork has been filed.  Motion by Johnson to approve permit 2008-1 for the Surrey Mustang Boosters. Klein seconded.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye, Klein-aye, Larsen-aye, Nelsen-aye, Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Discussion on filling the part-time public works position.  Council directed the position be re-advertised with Job Service and the Minot Daily News, removing the requirement for a CDL and increasing the wage to $8-$12 per hour. 

 

Council advised PWS Wollschlager to keep the old city pickup until the spring.  By then the city will know if we can fill the part-time PW position.  Wollschlager told Council that he does not use the tank that used to be on the back of the pickup and ask for permission to sell it.  Motion by Larsen to approve Resolution 2008-3 - Sale of City Property for Less Than $2500 - Public Works Fuel Tank w/pump for no less than $200.  Second by Volk.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye, Klein-aye, Larsen-aye, Nelsen-aye, Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried. 

 

Discussion was held on the new street lighting on 2nd Street Southeast from Pleasant Avenue South to Highway 2 East. Otter Tail Representative Tom Miller discussed the effect of putting in brighter bulbs. The area lit was brighter, but dark areas between the lights were still a problem.  He suggested adding three additional lights on 2nd Street Southeast. The poles are already in place and the cost to have the new lights will be less than the cost of the bulbs now in use.   Johnson made a motion to change the four current lights back to 9000 lumens (HPS9) and place three additional lights on 2nd St SE. Larsen seconded.  Roll call vote:  Johnson-aye, Volk-aye, Klein-aye, Larsen-aye, Nelsen-aye.  All aye, motion carried. 

 

Under the Mayor’s Report, Fennewald presented the Personnel Committee’s recommendation that Elaine Christianson’s position be changed from Auditor to Auditor/Coordinator with a wage of $14.15 per hour.  The position would manage and coordinate the scheduling and activities for city departments, and act as an advisor to the Mayor.  A job description will be finalized soon.  Motion by Klein to offer Christianson the position of Auditor/Coordinator at a wage of $14.15 per hour.  Second by Nelsen. Roll call vote: Volk-aye, Klein-aye, Larsen-aye, Nelsen-aye, Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.  

 

Mayor Fennewald addressed the Council regarding the need for them to be aware of how our city departments function.  He requested that over the next year council members schedule a 2 hour block of time for a Public Works tour and 2 hours for a Police Ride Around.  Members will report back to Council on their experience.

 

Under the Auditor’s Report, McNamara discussed concerns regarding the ND Forest service grant. The application was for trees to be planted behind the welcome sign. Because of the size of the lot, there is not enough room for trees and it may be better to put up a fence. The Planning & Zoning Commission has forwarded the following two recommendations to the City Council:

1)     Dale and Debbie Vetter request approval of plans to remove and/or demolish their rental house on Lot 1, Brey’s Addn in order to add on to their existing home on Lot 2, Brey’s Addn.  Approved by Planning & Zoning.  Motion by Larsen to approve removal and/or demolition of house on Lot1, Brey’s Addn.  Second by Volk.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye, Klein-aye, Larsen-aye, Nelsen-aye, Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

2)     Haugen Realty requests approval of plats of Outlots 13,14,15 of Section 24-155-82W and Outlot 18 of Section 30-155-81W.  Approved by Planning and Zoning.  Motion by Larsen to approve the submitted plats of Outlots 13,14,15, Section 24-155-82W and Outlot 18, Section 30-155-81W.  Second by Klein.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye, Klein-aye, Larsen-aye, Nelsen-aye, Johnson-aye.  All aye, Motion carried.

 

Discussion was held on the possibility of having an answering service for after hours emergency calls.  Council asked the auditor’s office to contact Ron Aberle at SRT and discuss a reduced charge because of last year’s cable/antenna upgrade. Tabled until next month.

 

Estvold presented his recommendation that Council create District 26, building a NW lift station and water/sewer connections for Springtime Addn.  Once LaFarge breaks ground, the City will no longer be eligible for the CBDG grant monies.  Discussion was held on the cost of District 26 and what residents want.  Johnson introduced Resolution 2008-4, Creating District No. 26 of the City of Surrey, North Dakota, and Resolution 2008-5, Directing the Engineer to Prepare a Report as to the General Nature, Purpose, and Feasibility of Water and Sewer Improvement District No. 26 and Prepare an Estimate as to the Probable Cost of Work for Water and Sewer District No. 26, both of which are attached hereto and made a part hereof, and moved their adoption.  Seconded by Larsen.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye, Klein-aye, Larsen-aye, Nelsen-aye, Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Public Works Superintendent Wollschlager reported on blind corners in the city.  He found two corners where sight is impaired. Motion by Larsen to send letters to these residents stating their trees and bushes must be trimmed.  Second by Volk.  Roll all vote:  Volk-aye, Klein-aye, Larsen-aye, Nelsen-aye, Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Estvold inspected the corrigenda bushes on 3rd Ave NE.  He stated the bushes are on the platted city street, right over the sewer line, and there is a fence on the city right-of-way. In discussion, it was suggested the city vacate the street, keeping a perpetual water/sewer easement.  Tabled for next month.

 

Police Chief Seideman reported he had someone in mind for another part-time police officer.  Council requested Seideman bring him to next month’s meeting.  Discussion held on junk vehicles.  Seideman will continue checking for violations.

           

Under Other Business, discussion was held on repairing the walkway between the offices and the hall, and on painting the hall.  Mayor Fennewald asked council to look at Ordinance 6.0617.1 of the Business Regulations and Licenses, as there may be concerns regarding this section presented at the next council meeting.

 

No other business to discuss, motion to adjourn by Larsen.  Volk seconded.  All aye, meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.