February 5, 2007

SURREY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2007

 

Mayor Steve Fennewald called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m. Present were Council Members Terry Johnson, Blaine Klein, Dana Larsen, Jarvis Sasse, and Laura Volk.  Also present were City Engineer Alan Estvold of Ackerman-Estvold Engineering, Chief of Police Brad Seideman, Public Works Supervisor Frank Wollschlager, and City Auditor Elaine Christianson. 

 

The agenda was reviewed.

 

Mayor Fennewald read the consent agenda: Review and approve the 01/08/07 regular meeting minutes; Approve financial reports and payments of payroll in the amount of $12,453.69 and bills to be paid in the amount of $28,222.00; Approve the Municipal Court, Police and Public Works Reports.  Volk moved to approve the consent agenda items.  Johnson seconded.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Discussion was held regarding the public meeting and requested zone change from Lafarge North America on a parcel of land located in the North ½ of the Northeast ¼ less portion to GNRY and less Outlot 1 less road in Section 24, T155N, R82W from agricultural to industrial.  The Planning and Zoning Commission recommend the zone change be granted.  Klein made a motion to accept the first reading of the zone change ordinance for Lafarge North America from agricultural to industrial.  Second by Johnson. Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Discussion was held on plat plans received by Christianson.  Randy & Theresa Fossen want to divide Outlot 37 (SE1/4SW1/4), Section 19, T155N, R81W, into Sublot A & B.  The Church of the Brethren want to divide their property located in the N1/2 of the NE1/4 of Section 24, T155N, R82W into Outlot 11 and Outlot 12.  The Planning and Zoning Commission recommend approval of the plats.  Klein made a motion to approve the plat plans.  Second by Volk.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

The Surrey Mustang Boosters have applied for a local raffle permit for Surrey School Fun Night.  All paperwork in order, Johnson made a motion to approve the permit.  Second by Klein.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Seideman discussed the progress of the police station office.  Mayor Fennewald discussed with Council that he opposes the police station having cable.  Discussion held.  Consensus of the Council is for the cable to be wired but not activated.  Klein discussed a complaint he received regarding Police Officer Lou Coca.  Discussion was held regarding chain of command.  Seideman requested Klein have the person contact him with the complaint.

 

Klein introduced discussion regarding the elevator located on Pleasant Avenue.  Concerns regarding rodents, safety, and upkeep were discussed further.  Council advised Christianson to check with First District Health regarding these concerns.

 

City Engineer Alan Estvold of Ackerman-Estvold discussed the Sanitary Sewer Study that was conducted by their firm.  Estvold recommends that the City proceed with Option A1 – Add new storage vault to existing north lift station and Option A2 – New force main from the school lift station out to the lagoon.  Discussion held regarding additional lift station options.  Additional discussion held regarding the possibility of getting Community Development funds because of Lafarge North America developing in our area and creating jobs.  A Special Meeting has been set for February 26, 2007 at 7:00p.m. to allow Estvold and Christianson time to conduct research.

 

Council Member Blaine Klein exited the meeting at 8:15p.m

 

Christianson discussed a letter from Midcontinent Communications.  At the January meeting, she had included a letter from Midcontinent Communications that said they would be upgrading their services in Surrey.  She received a phone call a short time after the meeting stating that the letter was sent in error.  A new letter was received from Midcontinent Communications apologizing for any inconvenience their notice in error may have caused.  They do plan on upgrading the cable system in Surrey but not as quickly as the first letter indicated.

 

Sasse updated Council about the Souris Basin Planning Council (SBPC) meeting he attended January 17, 2007.  At that meeting, Sasse was elected as an alternate.  Discussion held regarding the City of Surrey’s ineligibility for most grants from the SBPC as, according to the 2000 census, our median income is too high.

 

Wollschlager asked permission to attend a North Dakota Rural Water Association meeting in Bismarck.  He also discussed the easements between 2nd Street Northeast, 3rd Street Northeast and 4th Street Northeast.  He needed to jet out a sewer line and was unable to access the manhole due to the fences.  Discussion held regarding possible solutions.  Wollschlager informed Council of the events regarding a broken fire hydrant that lead up to the water tower being shut down on January 25, 2007.  The broken fire hydrant will be repaired later in the spring.  Wollschlager also requested permission to attend a chemical training class that is required for public entities to use any chemical.

 

Christianson presented 2006 Proposed Final Financial Statement and Transfers.  Discussion held on different options.  Motion made by Johnson to approve the budgeted transfers, the suggested transfers, and the 2006 Year End Report.  Second by Larsen.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried. 

 

Christianson explained she had balanced District 19 and District 21.  District 21 balanced.  District 19 contained two bookkeeping errors from 2004 for a total amount of $50.68.  She requested authorization to transfer $50.68 from the District 19 Fund to the General Fund to correct the error.  Sasse made a motion to allow the transfer.  Volk seconded.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.  Since District 19 Construction has been closed out, Christianson requested authorization to close out the District 19 Construction checking account and transfer the remaining funds to the General checking account as no more bills would be paid from this account.  Discussion held.  Volk made a motion to close out the construction checking account and transfer the balance to the general checking.  Johnson seconded.   

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

 

Christianson discussed the 2004/2005 Audit Report completed by Rath & Mehrer from Bismarck.  Volk made a motion to approve the 2004/2005 Audit Report.  Johnson seconded.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried. 

 

Discussion was held regarding current water, sewer, garbage and meter fund rates.  The base water rate currently does not cover the base amount of the North Prairie Rural Water bill.  Much discussion held.  Sasse made a motion to amend Ordinance 9.0101 to increase the minimum monthly charge for the first 2,000 gallons of water or less from $14.00 per month to $16.00 per month and to increase each additional 1,000 gallons from $4.00 to $4.50.  Larsen seconded.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.  This is the first reading of the Ordinance change.

 

North Dakota League of Cities has announced City Government Week will be held March 5-9, 2007.  Discussion held regarding Mayor for a Day contest for the Surrey School 3rd graders.  Johnson made a motion to hold the Mayor for a Day contest and issue prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place with gift certificates from Barry’s as was done last year.  Larsen seconded.   Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried. 

 

Christianson requested permission to attend training in Bismarck March 20-22, 2007.

 

Christianson discussed having the community room being painted this spring.  Motion by Volk, second by Sasse to allow Christianson to have the community room painted.  Discussion held on type and color of paint, as well as cost.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried. 

 

Christianson reported that Public Works employee James Volk would like to see a fence put up behind the sign with Surrey Mustang blue and white plastic slats woven in the chain link fence.  The City has some chain link but would need poles, caps, and slats.  Consensus of the Council is to have Volk research the cost of labor and materials needed.

 

Christianson again requested Council change the meeting date from the 1st Monday of the month to the 2nd Monday of the month.  With this change, all bills would be received, month end processing could be completed, and financials would be up to date instead of lagging a month behind.  Sasse made a motion to amend Ordinance 3.104 to hold regular meetings on the second Monday of every month.  Volk seconded.  Discussion held.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-nay; Johnson-aye.  Larsen requested his vote be changed to aye. All aye, motion carried.

 

Under other business, discussion held regarding a question from Ron Aberle about Minot adding on to their sewage lagoon.  The City of Surrey has no control over the area in question, as it is not in the City of Surrey’s extraterritorial zone.  Council advised Christianson to write a letter to Mr. Aberle to inform him of this.

 

No other business to discuss, motion to adjourn by Sasse.  Johnson seconded.  All aye, meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

 

THESE MINUTES HAVE NOT YET BEEN APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.