August 6, 2007

SURREY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 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 Alan Estvold and Jason Strand of Ackerman-Estvold, PWS Frank Wollschlager, Chief of Police Brad Seideman, and City Auditor Elaine Christianson.

 

The agenda was reviewed.  A letter from Mid-Continent Communications was added. 

 

Mayor Fennewald read the consent agenda: Review and approve the 07/02/07 regular meeting minutes; Approve financial reports and payments of payroll in the amount of $11,578.23 and bills to be paid in the amount of $21,172.32; Approve the Municipal Court, Police and Public Works Reports; Review and approve the pledged securities report and the North Dakota Department of Health Contract dated 7/1/07-6/30/08.  Volk moved to approve the consent agenda items.  Klein seconded. Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.

 

Council Member Dana Larsen entered the meeting.

 

Harry Anderson, owner of the Full Moon Lounge, addressed the Council regarding his business.  He requested a six-month beer and liquor license to run from November through April for a fee of $1,000.  If this license was allowed, he would like the ability to stay open until 2:00a.m.  He also inquired about Surrey’s demolition requirements.  The current liquor license ordinance has license effective dates of January 1 through June 30 and July 1 through December 31.  No prorating of the fee is allowed under the ordinance.  Also, the ordinance has a 1:00a.m. closing time.  Much discussion held. 

 

Council Member Kevin Nelsen entered the meeting during the discussion.

 

Chief of Police Seideman voiced his concerns regarding the 2:00a.m. closing time.  Steer Head Saloon owner Donna Beeter stated she is in favor of leaving the 1:00a.m. closing time as is.  Discussion was held regarding the availability of a liquor license to other potential bar owners if Mr. Anderson’s request was granted. 

 

Sasse made a motion to put a poll on the back of the water billing to find out how the residents of Surrey feel about a 2:00a.m. closing.  Larsen seconded.  Roll call vote: Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye. All aye, motion carried.  Council will discuss these requests further after the poll has been conducted.

 

Discussion was held regarding the events surrounding the low level in the cistern, which lead to water restrictions.  Our water supplier, North Prairie Rural Water District (NPRWD) indicated they had a pump failure one weekend and a valve failure the next.  During a phone call with NPRWD Manager Ralph Packulak, Mayor Fennewald was told our supply of water is not intended to be used for fire fighting or lawn watering.  More discussion held regarding NPRWD’s contract and water supply capabilities, water district laws, and additional potential water sources.  Sasse made a motion to authorize agents for the City of Surrey to pursue an additional water source directly from the City of Minot including legal and financial options for connection to that source.  Volk seconded.  More discussion.  Roll call vote: Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye. All aye, motion carried. 

 

Christianson updated Council on the status of the Street Paving District 16 Fund.  After the City receives payment from Ward County in August for tax payments made in July, the balance in the District 16 Fund will be enough to pay off the District 16 Bonds.  Discussion held regarding North Dakota Century Code requirements regarding special assessment district fund balances.  Christianson requested permission, when the monies are received for the July District 16 tax payments, to pay off the District 16 Bonds, transfer the approximate balance of $710.70 to the General Fund, and close out all District 16 Funds.  Larsen made such motion.  Klein seconded.   Roll call vote: Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-nay. Five aye, one nay, motion carried.

 

Under unfinished business, discussion was held regarding the junk and junk vehicle letters sent out previously.  These property owners are now in compliance.  Further discussion was held regarding the update of the ordinance.

 

Seideman requested permission to purchase a summer uniform consisting of one pair of shorts, an embroidered polo shirt and a pair of shoes totaling under $200.00.  Discussion held regarding the status of his budget.  Sasse made a motion to permit the purchase of a summer uniform under next year’s budget.  Klein seconded.  Roll call vote: Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye; All aye, motion carried.

 

Seideman reported that for the training he is attending in September the State is paying for training, meals and hotel and the City would only have to pay mileage.  Seideman updated Council regarding the new parking policy at the school.  Discussion was held regarding Seideman’s schedule.  Council advised Seideman to work with Mayor Fennewald and Police Commissioner Johnson on a schedule that will work for Council and Seideman.  Seideman also reported the police car maintenance expenses were going to be higher as he believes he is going to have to replace the rear struts.

 

Wollschlager proposed to Council leasing the 28 acres of Burlington Northern railroad land in the middle of Surrey.  With this lease, the City would have better control over the maintenance of the area.  A one-time application fee of $500 must accompany the application and the lease payment would be $600 per year.  Discussion held.  Sasse made a motion to lease the property based on the proposal.  Volk seconded.  Roll call vote: Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye; All aye, motion carried.

 

Wollschlager discussed the condition of the City’s pickup.  Discussion held regarding possible avenues for a potential replacement.  Wollschlager requested permission to use his own pickup when he has to run to Minot as he is concerned about the City pickup breaking down.  Volk made a motion to allow Wollschlager to use his own pickup and pay him mileage for his trips to Minot.  Larsen seconded.  Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; All aye, motion carried.

 

Under the Engineer’s Report, Johnson made a motion to approve the engineer’s contracts for Improvement Districts #22, 23, 24 and 25.  Klein seconded.   Roll call vote: Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; All aye, motion carried.

 

Council was updated on Street Improvement District #22.  The bid opening was held July 27, 2007 at 11:00a.m. in the City Hall.  Three bids were received – Bechtold Paving in the amount of $68,152.90, Keller Paving in the amount of $72,965.00, and Minot Paving in the amount of $68,188.50.  Estvold recommends awarding the bid to Bechtold Paving, the lowest bidder.  Sasse introduced and moved adoption of Resolution 2007-16 – Approving the Engineer’s Recommendation to Award the Contract for Street Improvement District #22 to Bechtold Paving in the Amount of $68,152.90.  Johnson seconded.  Roll call vote: Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye; All aye, motion carried.  Council directed Christianson to proceed with potential financing options for funding Street Improvement District #22. 

 

Discussion was held on detailed plans and specs for Sewer Improvement Districts #23 & 24.  Larsen introduced and moved adoption of Resolution 2007-17 - Approving detailed plans and specifications for Sewer Improvement District 23 (NE vault) with a change of a July 1, 2008 completion date and Resolution 2007-18 - Directing ads for bids for Sewer Improvement District 23.  Larsen further moved to amend detailed plans and specifications for Sewer Improvement District #24 to have a July 1, 2008 completion date.  Nelsen seconded.   Roll call vote: Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye; Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; All aye, motion carried.

 

The preliminary estimate for Street Improvement District #25 was distributed to Council.  Discussion was held regarding 2nd Street Southeast (east of Highway 2) and 5th Avenue (a/k/a 111th Street Northeast).  Consensus of Council is to add 2nd Street Southeast to the District.  Estvold will have updated preliminary estimate for September’s meeting.

 

Council was updated about contact between Christianson and Dean Kinney of Lafarge North America.  Kinney indicated due to some corporate issues, the project is not moving along as quickly as originally anticipated but their plans to move West of Surrey are still in the works.  Discussion was held regarding the proposed Northwest lift station.  Council advised Christianson to contact Terry Hofer about participating in a sewer improvement district.

 

Under the City Auditor Report, Christianson reported that the City of Surrey did not receive a Safe Routes to Schools grant.  Discussion was held regarding applying again next year for the grant, the criteria for the grant, and the cities that were awarded the grant this year.

 

Miscellaneous items discussed with Council:  Budget time is here.  A preliminary budget meeting has been set for Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 7:00p.m.  Discussion was held regarding North Dakota League of Cities Annual Conference.  Christianson, Fennewald and Larsen signed up to attend.  Christianson read a thank you note received from the Mighty Mustangs 4-H Club.  A copy of a letter from MidContinent Communications was distributed to Council.  Christianson reminded Council that due to the September 3rd Holiday, the City Council meeting will be held September 10th.

 

Johnson inquired on the status of Jung Construction’s sewer and water project.  Estvold and Strand explained the sewer and water lines have been completed.  The sewer line needs to have a final inspection. 

 

Discussion was held on the oil tank to be sold by sealed bids and on the grass and construction dumpsters. 

 

Klein inquired about when the welcome sign was going to be completed.  Christianson explained Tom Miller from Ottertail and Wollschlager had completed the pole just this afternoon – the top of the pole was cut off and a weather vane now tops the pole.

 

No other business to discuss, motion to adjourn by Nelsen.  Larsen seconded.  All aye, meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.