December 4, 2006

SURREY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2006

 

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

 

The agenda was reviewed.  Review of files to be destroyed was added to the agenda.

 

Mayor Steve Fennewald read the consent agenda: Review and approve the 11/06/06 special meeting minutes and the 11/06/06 regular meeting minutes; Approve financial reports and payments of payroll in the amount of $10,806.95 and bills to be paid in the amount of $14,601.33; 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; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Council Member Dana Larsen entered the meeting.

 

Christianson explained that all paperwork was in order for the renewal of the liquor licenses for the Full Moon Lounge and Steerhead Saloon.  Johnson moved to approve the renewals of the liquor licenses for the Full Moon Lounge and Steerhead Saloon from January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2007.  Klein seconded.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried. 

 

Christianson discussed the Variance Application for Blaine and Sonda Burckhard.  The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends the application be approved as no inquiries or concerns were presented at the public hearing.  Johnson made a motion to approve the Variance Application for Blaine and Sonda Burckhard.  Klein seconded. More discussion held.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried. 

 

Mayor Fennewald informed Council that the Hiring Committee hired Frank Wollschlager after interviews were completed.  Lengthy discussion held regarding the interview and hiring process, as well as, response times of employees.  Jeff Holien voiced his concerns to the Hiring Committee regarding the hiring process.  Hiring Committee member Larsen explained he felt they had several good applicants for the position.  He further explained the final decision was based on job experience including snow removal experience.

 

Council Member Nelsen entered the meeting.

 

Klein made a motion that any city employment openings will be interviewed and hired by a quorum of the Council at a special meeting.  Johnson seconded.  More discussion held.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Mayor Fennewald and Christianson updated Council about a meeting that took place with City Engineer Ackerman-Estvold regarding potential development and status of lift stations.  Sasse made a motion to authorize Ackerman-Estvold Engineering to go forward with the study of the lift stations at a cost not to exceed $2,500.00.  Volk seconded.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Discussion was held regarding the renewal of the MDU Franchise.  Christianson worked with MDU District Manager Tim Kretschmar to include wording requested by Council at the November meeting.  City Attorney Hoffarth has reviewed the updated agreement and approves a second reading of the MDU Franchise renewal ordinance.  Sasse made a motion to accept the second reading of the MDU Franchise renewal ordinance.  Johnson seconded.    Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.  

 

Discussion held regarding second reading of zone change ordinance for Eastland Park Estates.  Volk made a motion to accept the second reading of the zone change ordinance for Eastland Park Estates from agricultural to rural residential. Second by Larsen. Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Christianson explained the different option for the District 21 excess.  The City could prorate the excess to each property and reevaluate the payments.  If the City were to do this and any of the property owners defaulted on their taxes, the shortage then would be spread to the entire City.  If the City holds the money until the end, funds would be available to apply to the payment in case one of the property owners defaulted.  Christianson further explained that cities normally hold the funds and apply them at the end.  Consensus of Council was to leave the funds alone for now and possibly reevaluate a couple years down the road.

 

Discussion was held regarding the ice rink and warming house.

 

Christianson requested the Council switch the January meeting date to January 8th, since January 1st is a holiday.  Christianson asked Council to think about changing the regular meeting date from the 1st Monday of the month to the 2nd Monday of the month as bills and financials are not always received when the 1st Monday falls within the first 4 days of the month.  Consensus of Council was to leave the meeting date on the 1st Monday of the month.

 

Christianson informed Council that the web site for the City of Surrey (www.surreynd.org) has been updated including current minutes.  Any input from the Council or the residents would be welcome by Christianson.  More features will be added at a later date.

 

Christianson explained the current record retention project being started in the office.  A list of files that will be disposed/destroyed according to the State of North Dakota’s record retention schedule was presented to Council.  Sasse made a motion to approve the disposal/destruction list.  Volk seconded.  More discussion held that this is the beginning of the project and that Christianson plans on presenting lists in phases.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Sasse-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

 

Larsen discussed the proposed police office.  Consensus of Council is for Police Chief Brad Seideman to have all final figures ready to present at the January meeting.

 

Motion to adjourn by Larsen.  Klein seconded.  All aye, meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.