March 5, 2007

SURREY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2007

 

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

 

The agenda was reviewed.  Under the Engineer’s report, Surrey’s street plan was added.

 

Mayor Fennewald read the consent agenda: Review and approve the 02/05/07 regular meeting minutes and the 02/05/07 special meeting minutes; Approve financial reports and payments of payroll in the amount of $11,216.49 and bills to be paid in the amount of $17,180.96; Approve the Municipal Court, Police and Public Works Reports; Approve the renewal of laboratory service contract with North Dakota Dept. of Health.  Klein moved to approve the consent agenda items.  Volk seconded. Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.

 

Council Member Dana Larsen entered the meeting.

 

SRT representative Ron Aberle addressed the Council regarding antennas and cables currently run on the water tower.  SRT is interested in installing additional antennas and cables to implement additional services SRT will be adding including wireless broadband.  Larsen made a motion allowing SRT to proceed with the upgrade.  Johnson seconded.  Discussion held regarding amending current lease and negotiating service compensation.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

City Engineer Alan Estvold discussed amending the street plan in the City of Surrey’s Master Plan in Southwest Surrey.  Discussion held regarding procedures and the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation.  Motion made by Larsen, seconded by Nelsen, authorizing Estvold and Christianson to work on an amendment of the street plan.   Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Fennewald and Christianson updated Council regarding the current status of Lafarge North America.  Much discussion was held regarding potential sewer connection to Lafarge and annexation.  City Attorney Deb Hoffarth discussed a letter received from landowners adjacent to the proposed site of Lafarge.  The landowner’s concerns were addressed individually by a letter from Lafarge and by the Council.  A Special Meeting was set for March 22, 2007 at 5:00p.m. for the second reading of the zone change request which would  provide time for the attorney, auditor, and engineer to research additional questions.  Also, to allow time for Lafarge North America to sign and return the required annexation documents.

 

Christianson discussed a North Dakota Community Forestry Grant to be possibly used to purchase trees for behind the welcome sign.  Larsen made a motion to apply for the grant and not to spend over $2,500 total for the City’s required portion of the grant.  Nelsen seconded.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Christianson discussed a North Dakota Department of Transportation Grant to be possibly used to install sidewalks on 2nd Street Southeast, 5th Street Southwest, and 2nd Street Northeast.  The grant promotes “Safe Routes to School” which encourages youth and their families to choose walking, bicycling, and other active ways to get to and from school.  Larsen made a motion for Christianson and Estvold to proceed in applying for the grant.  Volk seconded.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Discussion was held regarding the large time commitment that Estvold has given to the City.  Currently, he is only paid engineering fees when the City undertakes a special project that requires the engineer.  Christianson explained Estvold’s guidance has been used frequently regarding Lafarge including issues of water, sewer, and annexation and will be needed for help with the Safe Routes to School grant and amending the street plan in Southwest Surrey.  Estvold requested compensation for consultation services.  He knows the City of Surrey has a limited budget and will request a fair rate for these services.

 

Discussion was held regarding the proposed second reading of the ordinance change regarding water rates and charges.  Nelsen made a motion to approve the second reading of Ordinance 9.0101 Rates and Charges to read: $16.00 per month (minimum monthly charge) for the first 2,000 gallons or lesser amount per month and $4.50 for each additional 1,000 gallons effective with the March 2007 billing.  Johnson seconded.  More discussion held.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Discussion was held regarding the proposed second reading of the ordinance change regarding the regular meeting date.  Volk made a motion to approve the second reading of Ordinance 3.0104 Regular meetings to read: the City Council shall hold regular meetings on the second Monday of every month.  Klein seconded.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-nay; Nelsen-nay; Johnson-aye.  Motion failed as ordinance changes need a 2/3 aye vote.  City Council meetings will remain on the first Monday of each month.

 

Christianson discussed the review of the 2004/2005 audit report from the State Auditor’s office. 

 

Christianson announced the Mayor for a Day Contest winners:  1st place – Shayla Vollmer, 2nd place – Kira Clott, 3rd place – Caitlyn Bachmeier.  Their winning essays will be posted in the City Hall and they will receive gift certificates to Barry’s.

 

Christianson requested permission for her and Wollschlager to attend a North Dakota League of Cities regional meeting in Rugby scheduled for May 2, 2007.  Christianson inquired if any Council Members were interested in attending.  Motion made by Volk, seconded by Larsen, to approve Christianson and Wollschlager to attend.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Christianson informed Council her computer’s motherboard had failed and her office functions had been limited during that time.  She has borrowed a loaner computer from Bitz Communications until her new motherboard and memory have arrived.  She also informed Council she would be on vacation beginning March 8, 2007.

 

Wollschlager discussed with Council his findings from the NDRWA conference in Bismarck including sewer root problem solutions and jetting nozzles.  He also discussed snow removal.

 

Seideman recommended to Council that a 4-way stop sign be installed at the corner of 5th Street and 4th Avenue in the Southwest part of Surrey.  Klein made a motion to have a 4-way stop sign installed at this corner.  Nelsen seconded.  Discussion held.  This will be the first reading of an ordinance change regarding stop sign placements in Surrey.   Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Seideman requested permission to purchase 2 signs to install by his front door regarding police vehicle and police visitor parking only and to move the handicap spots to the west.  Larsen made a motion to create two parking spots for police car and visitor parking, to purchase the needed signs and to move the two handicap parking spaces one spot west.  Klein seconded.  Discussion held regarding handicap parking requirements.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Seideman requested permission to attend free training in West Fargo April 17th and 18th and in Minot May 30th and May 31st.  Motion made by Johnson, seconded by Volk, to approve Seideman attend the trainings.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Seideman discussed that Part-time Officer Luis Coca was going to donate a computer to the police department that had no monitor.  He requested permission to purchase a $199 flat screen from Bitz Communication.  Discussion held.  Larsen made a motion that a $199 flat screen monitor be purchased from Bitz Communications for the Auditor’s office and the Auditor’s monitor be transferred to the Police Department.  Second made by Nelsen.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Seideman requested permission to purchase wall décor for the office.  Johnson made a motion to allow $100.00 for wall décor for the new police office.  Larsen seconded.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.  Seideman requested permission to purchase miscellaneous office supplies such as garbage cans, etc.  Nelsen made a motion to allow $150.00 for miscellaneous office supplies.  Johnson seconded.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Seideman discussed with Council that when Part-time Officer Luis Coca was hired, Coca was restricted to work a maximum of 16 hours per month of weekend coverage only.  Seideman requested this restriction to be lifted in case Part-time Officer Al Schlag would not be available for a weekend after Coca has already reached his restricted hours.  Seideman explained Schlag has priority in selecting vacant shifts due to his seniority but isn’t always available. Discussion held.  Larsen made a motion to set policy as follows:  All part-time officers are eligible to work any days to cover empty shifts and vacations with the understanding that the police chief will be responsible not to exceed budgeted part-time officer’s wages.  Johnson seconded.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-nay; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All ayes, except Klein, motion carried.

 

Fire Chief Kevin Hochhalter addressed Council with his concerns about snow removal at the fire department building.  Wollschlager will ensure the fire department will be able to get their trucks out.  Hochhalter also requested the City mow the fire department’s land.  Wollschlager had always taken care of this in the past and will continue.

 

Discussion was held again about health concerns regarding the elevator on Pleasant Avenue.  Council advised Christianson to contact the building owner and landowner regarding the City’s concerns.

 

No other business to discuss, motion to adjourn by Klein.  Larsen seconded.  All aye, meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

 

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