June 4, 2007

SURREY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2007

 

Council Vice-President Blaine Klein called the meeting to order at 7:05p.m. Present were Council Members Terry Johnson, Kevin Nelsen, Jarvis Sasse, and Laura Volk.  Also present were Jason Strand of Ackerman-Estvold, PWS Frank Wollschlager, Chief of Police Brad Seideman, and City Auditor Elaine Christianson.

 

The agenda was reviewed. 

 

Council Vice-President Klein read the consent agenda: Review and approve the 05/07/07 regular meeting minutes, the 05/07/07 special meeting minutes, and the 05/10/07 tax equalization meeting minutes; Approve financial reports and payments of payroll in the amount of $9,982.70 and bills to be paid in the amount of $24,306.43; Approve the Municipal Court, Police and Public Works Reports.  Volk moved to approve the consent agenda items.  Johnson seconded. Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.

 

Under Monthly Business, discussion held regarding renewal of liquor licenses.  The Full Moon Lounge has not applied for a renewal.  All paperwork was in order for The Steer Head Saloon.  Johnson made a motion to approve the renewal for The Steer Head Saloon from July 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007.  Sasse seconded.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.

 

Discussion was held regarding the second reading on a request of zone change and variance from Wes and Jamie Soper on Outlot 34 of the NW1/4 SW1/4 Section 19, T155N, R81W.  Volk made a motion to approve the first reading of the zone change from Commercial to Residential and to approve the variance on the existing building.  Johnson seconded.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.

 

Resident Janice Bender and City Council Member Blaine Klein discussed properties with junk and junk vehicles.  Christianson discussed the list created.  Council President Dana Larsen entered the meeting at 7:20p.m. and obtained the gavel.  Council Vice-President Klein took his seat.  More discussion held about ordinance requirements for junk and junk vehicles.  Sasse made a motion that violation letters be issued and follow the 48 hour deadline for junk and junk vehicle violations and the five day deadline for unwanted vegetation violations, with Seideman to hand deliver letters.  Klein seconded.     

Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.

 

Klein discussed a concern from a resident on 3rd Street Northeast regarding drainage and a broken curb.  Wollschlager has checked that area and finds no problem with drainage.  Christianson discussed she had City Engineer Alan Estvold check out drainage in that area during a rainstorm and the drainage was satisfactory.

 

Christianson updated Council on the City’s current Emergency Management System and events from the last storm warning.  Christianson further explained Mayor Fennewald had requested she contact SRT to find out about an automated system.  Christianson is waiting for a quote from SRT for the proposed system.  More discussion held.  This will be tabled until the July meeting.

 

Christianson explained that Ordinance 16.0705: Open Burning & Fire Pits Prohibited needed to be updated regarding the Surrey Park District’s request from May’s meeting.  An exemption will not work.  Discussion held.  Sasse made a motion that due to the State’s requirements of a RV Park, the Surrey Park District is allowed to have fire rings in lieu of commercial covered fire pits in the RV Park area.  Klein seconded.  More discussion held.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried. This is a first reading of the change for Ordinance 16.0705.

 

Jason Strand from Ackerman-Estvold reported on the progress of Jung Construction on the water and sewer lines.   Resident Randy Severson was concerned about compaction issues.  Strand indicated that compaction testing was being completed.  Larsen requested Strand forward the compaction results to the City for Larsen’s review.  Severson questioned the drainage issues in the area.  Christianson explained that the drainage issues will be addressed within Paving District 22.  More discussion held.  Sasse made a motion that the Surrey City Council will give Jung Construction until June 15th, 2007 to complete the water and sewer lines.  If the lines are not completed by this date, the Surrey City Council will hold a Special Meeting on June 15th, 2007 at 7:00p.m. to discuss the issue farther.  Nelsen seconded.  More discussion held.   Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried. 

 

Seideman had no news or questions for the Council.

 

Wollschlager discussed the purchase of the sickle mower from last month’s meeting.  The seller was requesting $1,200 for the mower, which was in good condition, and Council had approved to purchase it for $1,100.  Sasse made a motion to purchase the sickle mower for $1,200.  Volk seconded.   Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried. 

 

Wollschlager discussed the need for a 4” pump since the City has been without one since May 2005.  He can purchase one for approximately $3,000.  Sasse discussed the possibility of receiving an older manhole unit from SRT with a pump and motor.  Discussion held regarding reliability.  Sasse made a motion to purchase a 4” pump.  Volk seconded.   Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.   More discussion held regarding drainage issues all over the City.

 

Wollschlager reported that he is waiting for a blademan to be free for the gravel roads to be bladed.  Council gave him direction on different contractors possibly available.  Wollschlager reported that the Northeast Lift Station normally runs 7/10ths of an hour daily, but due to the heavy rain, it has been running 9 to 10 hours daily which shows residents have not removed their sump pumps from discharging into the sewer system.  Wollschlager is also still looking for a grant for the security fence at the cistern.

 

Christianson reported that Paving District 22 is on hold until Jung Construction finishes.

Discussion was held on status of Sewer Improvement District 23 (NE vault) and Sewer Improvement District 24 (8”force main).  Johnson introduced Resolution 2007-6 – Approving the engineer’s general report and directing the engineer to prepare detailed plans and specifications for Sewer Improvement District 23 and moved its adoption.  Sasse seconded.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-nay; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye except Klein, motion carried.  Sasse introduced Resolution 2007-7 – Approving the engineer’s general report and directing the engineer to prepare detailed plans and specifications for Sewer Improvement District 24 and moved its adoption.  Nelson seconded.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-nay; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye except Klein, motion carried. 

 

Christianson requested Council approve Cook, Wegner, and Wike as Bond Council for District 23 and District 24.  Their bids for Bond Council work on the districts are $2,000 and $3,500 respectively.  Sasse made a motion to approve Cook, Wegner, and Wike as Bond Council for District 23 and District 24.  Volk seconded.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.  

 

Much discussion was held regarding remaining gravel streets within the City of Surrey and the cost of maintaining the gravel.  Sasse introduced Resolution 2007-8 – Creating a Paving Improvement District 25 to pave the gravel streets as listed by Christianson and moved its adoption.  Johnson seconded.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.  

 

Christianson requested the Council allow full-time employees to have AFLAC policies as a benefit with no cost to the City.  Sasse made a motion to allow AFLAC policies at no cost to the City.  Volk seconded.   Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried. 

 

Christianson reported that the Mayor’s request regarding payroll is not working and is causing more work, which is opposite of what was intended.  Christianson requested to revert the payroll policy back but to include that checks would be issued by the 5th and 20th of each month.  Volk made such motion.  Johnson seconded.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried. 

 

Christianson explained North Dakota Century Code 40-11-04 regarding the transfer of property, specifically some old office equipment to the Surrey Senior Citizens.  Volk introduced Resolution 2007-9 – Selling unused office equipment (old copier, fax machine, and scanner) to the Surrey Senior Citizens for the total sum of $15.00.  Johnson seconded.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried. 

 

Discussion was held regarding documents and information discovered regarding Hofer and a lift station in Northwest Surrey.  Cook, Wegner, and Wike have advised Christianson the City should create the Sewer Improvement District and allow the property owner’s in the District to have the opportunity to protest it out.  More discussion held.  Sasse introduced Resolution 2007-10 – Creating a Sewer Improvement District 26 to install a lift station in Northwest Surrey and moved its adoption.  Nelson seconded. No further discussion.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.  City Engineer Alan Estvold discussed his thoughts on the number of Improvement Districts created and possible debt-load issues.  Sasse and Nelsen withdrew their motion and second.  This item will be tabled until next month to allow Christianson time to research debt-load issues.  Estvold also discussed the possible opportunity for the City of Surrey to apply for Magic Funds from the City of Minot.  Christianson will research this availability.

 

Christianson reported the Planning and Zoning Commission was short one commissioner after Robert Greene had resigned.  Resident Jamie Soper volunteered from the audience. Volk made a motion to appoint Jamie Soper to fill the remaining term of Robert Greene on the Planning and Zoning Commission.  Klein seconded.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.

 

Christianson announced the Verendrye Electric Annual Meeting is scheduled for June 14, 2007.  If any of the Council is interested in attending, please contact her.

 

Christianson requested permission for the City to have an International Code Council (ICC) membership for $100/year.  Volk made a motion to allow the request.  Klein seconded.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.

 

Christianson requested she be allowed to attend a Land Use Law conference in Fargo on June 18th, 2007.  The cost of the conference is $395.00 plus mileage and meals.  Much discussion held.  Sasse made a motion to allow Christianson to attend the conference.  Volk seconded.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-nay; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-nay; Johnson-aye. Three ayes, two nays, motion carried.      

 

Christianson discussed the lack of policy regarding the use/borrowing of table and chairs from City Hall.  Much discussion held regarding the wear and tear on the furniture and no fund to replace them.  Johnson made a motion to set a rental policy of $5.00 per table and $1.00 per chair per working day when removed from City Hall. Volk seconded.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried. This policy does not apply to hall rentals, as the furniture is not removed.    

 

Christianson discussed concerns again regarding the City of Surrey’s chain of command and the need for a set policy.  Discussion held.

 

Christianson discussed the “Granville Gazette” and possibility of a Surrey newsletter.  Discussion was also held regarding the July meeting date.  Consensus of the Council was to leave it as July 2, 2007.

 

No other business to discuss, motion to adjourn by Klein.  Nelsen seconded.  All aye, meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.