October 1, 2007
SURREY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2007
Mayor Steve Fennewald called the meeting to order at 7:05p.m. Present were Council Members Terry Johnson, Blaine Klein, Jarvis Sasse, and Laura Volk. Also present were Jason Strand of Ackerman-Estvold, Chief of Police Brad Seideman, PWS Frank Wollschlager, and City Auditor Elaine Christianson.
The agenda was reviewed. No additional items were added.
Mayor Fennewald read the consent agenda: Review and approve the 09/10/07 regular meeting minutes; Approve financial reports and payments of payroll in the amount of $3,221.74 and bills to be paid in the amount of $28,700.10; Approve the Municipal Court, Police and Public Works Reports. Klein made a motion to approve the consent agenda items. Volk seconded. Roll call vote: Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Council Member Dana Larsen entered the meeting.
Lorne Duppong from Northern Water Works presented options on the software maintenance agreement for the radio read meters. Much discussion held. Larsen made a motion to follow the 3-year conversion plan which includes the following fees: $1,250 for Installation, Training, and Licensing in 2007 and $750.00 per year for Maintenance and Licensing in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Volk seconded. Roll call vote: Larsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Christianson requested the Council appoint Ward County Tax Director Don Siebert as the Surrey City Assessor. Klein made such motion. Johnson seconded. Roll call vote: Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Council Member Kevin Nelsen entered the meeting.
Christianson presented Final Budget and Tax Levy for year ending 2008. Discussion held on changes. Johnson made a motion to approve the Final Budget and Tax Levy for year ending 2008 as presented. Klein seconded. Roll call vote: Johnson-aye; Nelsen-aye; Larsen-aye; Sasse-aye; Klein-aye; Volk-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Seideman requested Fennewald’s signature on a contract with the state in regards to a campaign on alcohol awareness. Christianson informed Seideman that all contracts need approval of the Council in order for the Mayor to sign. Much discussion held regarding the details of the contract. Larsen made a motion to approve the contract with the contingency that Christianson research and verify the contract is as Seideman presented. Johnson seconded. Roll call vote: Larsen-aye; Sasse-aye; Klein-aye; Volk-aye; Johnson-aye; Nelsen-nay. Five aye, one nay, motion carried.
City Engineer Alan Estvold entered the meeting.
Wollschlager updated Council on the condition of some curb stops and his plans to investigate the condition of all curb stops which he will report back to Council later next spring. Council was also updated on the progress of the sewer line jetting including the power of the new nozzle, the replacement of two valves in the Northeast lift station, and the replacement of a broken window on the tractor.
Christianson updated Council about the progress of the proposed meeting with North Prairie Rural Water District. Much discussion followed regarding the contract and Council’s concerns. Sasse made a motion to have City Attorney Deb Hoffarth review the contract and all other pertaining documentation to see what options the City has in fulfilling our water needs. Larsen seconded. More discussion held. Roll call vote: Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Council was supplied a copy of proposed changes for the Garbage Contract Specifications. Larsen made a motion to change the wording to “If curbside compost pickup is not available, a compost dumpster must be provided to the City from April through October (in addition to the inert materials dumpster) and emptied as necessary.” Volk seconded. Roll call vote: Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Under Street Improvement District 22, Council was informed the sewer line installed by Jung Construction passed inspection. Bechtold Paving is to start prep work and drainage later in the week on the street.
Council was updated on the pre-construction meeting held with Post Construction, Ackerman-Estvold Engineering, Christianson, and Wollschlager. Post Construction will start on Sewer Improvement District 24 this week and anticipate a two to three week completion date. Post Construction then potentially plans on starting Sewer Improvement District 23 shortly after the completion of District 24.
Funding options were discussed. All information was not available at the time of the meeting as Christianson was waiting for a phone call from one of the funding sources. Discussion held regarding the Special Assessment Commission. Larsen made a motion to authorize Christianson to activate the Commission when needed. Klein seconded. Roll call vote: Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Discussion was held about the protest letters that needed to be sent to Street Improvement District 25 property owners. Christianson will work on these letters with the help of Deputy Auditor Rosemary McNamara in the next month.
Christianson updated Council about the letter issued to and the phone call received from Terrance Hofer regarding the potential Northwest lift station. Estvold and Christianson will work on the CDBG funding that is in conjunction with Lafarge North America moving to the area. Discussion was also held on Minot’s Magic Funds.
Christianson presented the County Auditor’s Certificate of Amount of Uncollected Taxes in the amount of $6,613.89. Discussion was held that North Dakota Century Code has been amended that a property owner can only be 2 years delinquent on their taxes instead of 4 years delinquent.
Council was informed about a petition to vacate half an alley received by Christianson and discussion regarding the process when a petition to vacate is received was held. City Attorney Deb Hoffarth has been involved in the process due to the unique circumstances. Council advised Christianson to gather more information and present it at the next meeting.
Discussion was held regarding applying for the Safe Routes to School grant, a meeting Christianson and Wollschlager had with Audrey Boe Olson from Midwest Assistance Program as a requirement from the North Dakota State Health Department and the defined workweek in the overtime policy.
The results of the water billing survey regarding the residents’ wishes about the time the bar closes were announced. Out of 272 water bill payment cards returned by September 28, 2007, the results were 28 yes votes, 96 no votes, 35 either votes, and 113 unmarked cards. Discussion held. Consensus of Council is to leave the ordinance at the 1:00p.m. closing time.
Under other business, Klein reported a resident has concerns over vehicles speeding on 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue Northeast. Discussion was held regarding stop signs not being intended for speed control. Council requested Seideman increase patrol in this area. Klein also reported that some plants have finally been replaced at the welcome sign. Discussion was held regarding the status of the proposed city siren change.