October 2, 2006
SURREY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2006
Council Vice President Blaine Klein called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m. Present were Council Members Terry Johnson, Blaine Klein, Kevin Nelsen, Jarvis Sasse, and Laura Volk. Also present were Alan Estvold and Jason Strand of Ackerman-Estvold, Police Chief Brad Seideman and City Auditor Elaine Christianson. Absent were Mayor Steve Fennewald and Council Member Dana Larsen.
The agenda was reviewed. Lorraine and Mary Voeller requested to be added to the agenda. Christianson tabled the following items: Neptune Support Quote, Payment to Council attending meetings, Housing Authority, and Water Billing Procedure Ordinance.
Council Vice President Klein read the consent agenda: Review and approve the 09/11/06 minutes; Approve financial reports and payments of payroll in the amount of $11,603.97 and bills to be paid in the amount of $13,322.63; Approve the Municipal Court, Police and Public Works Reports; Approve the 2nd reading of the amendment to Outbuilding footings and foundations and Pole Buildings; Approve the name change of the Urban Renewal Fund to the Public Buildings Fund; Review the County Auditor’s Certificate of Amount of Uncollected Taxes. Sasse moved to approve the consent agenda items. Johnson seconded. Roll call vote: Volk-aye, Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Tim Kretschmar from Montana-Dakota Utilities addressed the Council Members regarding the renewal of the MDU franchise in the City of Surrey. Sasse introduced the ordinance of the MDU Franchise and moved its first reading. Volk seconded. Discussion held. Roll call vote: Volk-aye, Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Discussion held regarding Circle Sanitation’s contract regarding pickup of branches and yard waste. Circle Sanitation’s contract specifically addresses that for branches to be picked up curbside, residents must cut the branches in four foot lengths and bundled so Circle Sanitation workers can pick up the bundles. Residents who do not wish to complete these requirements for curbside pick up may obtain a key at the Auditor’s office for the tree landfill at $3 per load. Residents are to use the dumpster behind City Hall for lawn clippings, leaves, and garden waste. Circle Sanitation uses the City of Minot’s landfill, which does not accept large amounts of yard waste mixed with household garbage. More discussion was held regarding having a separate roll off specifically for grass clipping, leaves, and garden waste by City Hall. The City of Minot does not pick up yard waste curbside. The City of Minot has several compost dumpsters spread around Minot for yard waste. Sasse made a motion to have a dumpster specifically for loose compost material (loose lawn clippings, leaves, and garden waste) only. Absolutely no garbage of any kind including garbage bags may be dumped into the compost container. Violators will be prosecuted. Nelsen seconded. More discussion held. Christianson will check with Circle Sanitation about obtaining an extra roll off and check with the North Dakota Department of Health about a possible compost site at the City’s tree landfill. Roll call vote: Volk-aye, Sasse-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Council President Dana Larsen entered the meeting. Council Vice President Klein turned the meeting over to Council President Larsen. PWS Arlen Patterson entered the meeting.
Resident Bill Randash spoke with Council regarding his sewer line. Discussion held regarding resident’s financial responsibility for sewer lines and how the service line is connected to the City sewer main. Resident Bill Randash will contact PWS Arlen Patterson when the contractor starts the work so the City’s sewer main can be checked.
Resident Lorraine Voeller, on behalf of Mary Voeller, discussed concerns regarding over contractors walking and driving through Mary’s yard, a damaged tree, a bump created at the end of Mary’s driveway and the progress of the Jung water and sewer project on Fifth Avenue SW. Resident Randy Severson also discussed his concerns over the water and sewer project. Discussion was held with residents and Contractor Daniel Jung. PWS Patterson will fix the bump at the end of Mary’s drive. More discussion was held regarding the lack of drainage in the area. Sasse made a motion that the drainage be fixed, including slope and grass seed, based on the City Engineer’s recommendation. Johnson seconded. Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Klein-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried. Residents Randy Severson and Mary Voeller are also interested in having 5th St SW paved from 4th Ave SW to 5th Ave SW. Christianson will check with Bond Council regarding details.
Property owner Ken Gorze addressed Council regarding the curb stop at his duplex. Lengthy discussion held regarding curb stops, financial responsibility of property owner, and proposed ordinance change from September 11, 2006 meeting. More discussion held with PWS Patterson about researching working and non-working curb stops. Sasse made a motion to table the curb stop issue including an ordinance change until the Council has more information available. Johnson seconded. Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Klein-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried. Property owner Ken Gorze requested he be added to next month’s agenda regarding drainage at his other rental property on 2nd Street NE.
PWS Patterson exited the meeting.
Under unfinished business, discussion was held regarding the speeding on 5th Street SW. Police Chief Seideman has been policing the area more. Discussion regarding the new police office was held. This item is being referred to the Police Office committee consisting of Police Chief Seideman and Council Members Blaine Klein and Terry Johnson.
Police Chief Seideman held discussion with Council regarding hiring another part-time officer to fill in on open weekends. Seideman requested Council hire Lou Coca. Discussion held. Sasse made a motion to hire Lou Coca at $9.19 per hour for a maximum of 16 hours per month of weekend hours pending a background and reference check. Johnson seconded. Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Klein-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Police Chief Seideman exited the meeting.
Christianson presented Final Budget for year ending 2007. Discussion held on changes. Nelsen made a motion to approve the Final Budget for year ending 2007 as presented. Johnson seconded. Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Klein-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Christianson presented bids received for the 2004/2005 Audit. Sasse made a motion to accept the bid from Rath & Mehrer from Bismarck. Klein seconded. Roll call vote: Volk-aye; Sasse-aye; Klein-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye. All aye, motion carried.
Discussion held regarding North Dakota League of Cities Hometown Hero Award luncheon where Ron Burns received the 2006 Hometown Hero award. Congratulations are extended to Ron Burns for being awarded one of six Hometown Hero awards in the State of North Dakota for 2006.