May 1, 2006
SURREY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 1, 2006
Present were Mayor Steve Fennewald, Council Members Terry Johnson, Blaine Klein, Dana Larsen, Jarvis Sasse, and Laura Volk. Also present were Chief of Police Brad Seideman, Public Works Supervisor Arlen Patterson, City Engineer Alan Estvold and City Auditor Elaine Christianson.
Mayor Fennewald called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
The agenda was reviewed. City Auditor Christianson requested the following additions to the agenda: Liquor Consumption Permit.
The minutes from the April 3, 2006 meeting were reviewed. Klein requested a correction as he seconded the motion to vacate the perpetual easement on the Surrey Senior Citizen’s property, not Larsen. Klein moved to approve the minutes from the April 3, 2006 Regular Meeting with this correction. Volk seconded. All aye, motion carried.
City Auditor Christianson requested a correction in the bills paid in April be lowered $90.00 to $14,401.07. Larsen moved to approve the financial reports - payroll in the amount of $12,352.44 and bills to be paid in the amount of $80,919.47 and correct to April’s bills payable in the amount of $14,401.07. Johnson seconded. All aye, motion carried.
Chief of Police Seideman requested approval to attend a training course on Drugs and Domestic Abuse in Bismarck in June. Klein moved to grant the request. Volk seconded. All aye, motion carried.
PWS Patterson reported on the bids to clean and repair the water tower and vault. Discussion held on necessity and budget. Larsen made a motion to have the water tower and vault cleaned and repaired. Volk seconded. All aye, motion carried.
PWS Patterson updated council the information he had found out regarding the oil recycling container and the soil under it. The container is now considered hazardous since paint was dumped into it. The process of testing and removing the soil and disposing the container was discussed. Larsen made a motion to give PWS Patterson and Mayor Fennewald authority to make the final decision based on quotes after they are received. Sasse seconded. All aye, motion carried.
PWS Patterson informed council of the by-pass valve at cistern needing to be replaced which caused the water tower to overflow. Parts are on order. Also, cell 1 of the lagoon is considered dead. Aeration and extra enzymes are being applied to get the cell active again. Cause is not known.
Larsen made a motion to approve the Municipal Court Report, the Police Report and the Public Works Report. Klein seconded. All aye, motion carried.
Volk moved to approve the Minot Daily as the official newspaper. Johnson seconded. All aye, motion carried.
A thank you card from the Junior Leaders and a letter from Ward County regarding an increase in per day jail costs were discussed with council.
City Engineer Estvold discussed the Engineer’s Report for District 21. Sasse moved the adoption of Resolution 2006-5, Receiving the Engineer’s Report as to the General Nature, Purpose and Feasibility of the Proposed Improvement and an Estimate as to the Probable Cost of Work for Street Improvement District No. 21, a copy which is attached hereto and made a part hereof. Second by Klein. All aye, motion carried.
Sasse introduced the following Resolution and moved adoption of Resolution 2006-6, Directing the Engineer for the City of Surrey to Prepare Detailed Plans and Specifications for Street Improvement District No. 21, a copy which is attached hereto and made a part hereof. Second by Klein. All aye, motion carried.
Sasse introduced the following Resolution and moved adoption of Resolution 2006-7, Declaring the Necessity of an Improvement in Street Improvement District No. 21, a copy which is attached hereto and made a part hereof. Second by Klein. All aye, motion carried.
Council held discussion with residents of 1/2 Pleasant Avenue South regarding last month’s decision. City Auditor Christianson found more information on 1/2 Pleasant Avenue South. It can not be a private drive as no private individual owns the land. All further documentation found indicates it is an alley. The residents requested the alley be changed into a street, as it is the only outlet to their property. Council will discuss further at 1/2 Pleasant Avenue South after all other city business has been completed.
Volk shared possible landscaping plans of the Surrey welcome sign. Discussion held. Volk made a motion to spend up to $1,000 to landscape around the Surrey welcome sign. Larsen seconded. All aye, motion carried.
City Auditor Christianson requested to change office hours from 8:30am to 5:30pm with and hour for lunch to 9:00am to 5:30pm with a half hour for lunch. Discussion held. Sasse moved to approve the change. Volk seconded. All aye, motion carried.
City Auditor Christianson discussed the current liquor consumption permit ordinance. Wording indicates the permit is issued by city council, which would need to be done at the city council regular monthly meeting. The intent of the permit causes a time issue problem if city council must approve it. Christianson researched some Minot ordinances that would allow the Auditor and Chief of Police authority to issue the liquor consumption permit in a more timely manner. Larsen moved to amend Section 6-624 of Chapter 6 of the General Ordinances of the City of Surrey to read: Except as allowed by a special permit issued by the city council or administratively by the City Auditor with the approval of the Chief of Police, no person while upon any street, alley, or other public way or upon any private property which is generally open to the public shall:
(1) Sell alcoholic beverage, or
(2) Possess an open container holding alcoholic beverages, or
(3) Consume an alcoholic beverage.
Any person violating any provision of this article shall be guilty of an infraction and be fines not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500), thirty (30) days imprisonment, or both such fine and imprisonment. Second by Johnson. All aye, motion carried.
Under other business, Sasse requested City Auditor Christianson contact Fargo regarding their railroad quiet zone that is being implemented. Fargo’s railroad quiet zone will allow trains to pass through Fargo without blowing the horn.
Also under other business, Mayor Fennewald received correspondence from Affordable Housing Developers, Inc. regarding developing areas held by private owners. Mayor Fennewald is requesting anyone interested in serving on a development committee contact City Auditor Christianson.
The council meeting was moved to 1/2 Pleasant Avenue South. After council had a chance to look at the alley, discussion was held on the width of the alley, the width of a city street, no parking options and lot lines. Council will continue this item at the next meeting.