March 12th, 2007
Pursuant to due call and notice the regular meeting of the Crosby City Council was held on Monday, March 12, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Crosby City Council Chambers. The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Mayor Dale Sova presided with Member David “Butch” Ferrari, Member Edward Vukelich, Member Debra Shankle and Member Erwin “Buzz” Neprud present. Also present were City Attorney James Gammello, Police Chief Kimberley Coughlin, City Superintendent Laverne Booth, City Engineers Tim Houle and Mike Rude of WSN, Timothy Schmidt of Community Growth Institute and City Clerk-Treasurer Cindy Nelson.
MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING AS PRESENTED. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO APPROVE THE CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT AS PRESENTED. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
It was noted that in the future the council would like to have a detailed claims report showing which department is being charged for the submitted claims for payment.
Public Forum –
City business owner James Wojick was present to discuss the sidewalk problem in front of his building as the sidewalk is still heaving and would like something done.
City Superintendent Laverne Booth was directed to cut out the bad sidewalk piece in front Mr. Wojick’s building on Tuesday, March 13, 2007.
City resident Larry Hayes stated that there have been several of the “orange” plastic bags with the newspapers in them that have just been thrown around properties in the city and they could become a problem. Chief Coughlin was asked by Mayor Sova to call the Brainerd Dispatch about this matter.
Unfinished Business –
Member Shankle presented a brochure on a design for the park restroom and asked if any council members have comments to get them to Member Shankle sometime in the next week. Member Shankle will also have City Engineer Tim Houle review the plans. It was also stated that the city should look into getting an electronic surveillance system and also electronic card entry for the showers.
New Business –
Planning and Zoning recommended to the council to approve the re-zoning of the property which the hospital owns from B-2 to R-2.
Mayor Sova asked if there were any comments from the public regarding the re-zoning of the hospital property and there were no comments from the public.
MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER VUKELICH TO RE-ZONE THE HOSPITAL PROPERTY FROM B-2 TO R-2 BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF FACE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND TO AMEND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF CROSBY. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION WAS PASSED BY A 4/5 VOTE. MOTION CARRIED.
Reports –
Fire Chief Charles Leonhardt reported on the following –
- One run since the last council meeting
- The fire department will be participating in the Trade Fair again this year
- There will be a pandemic flu meeting on March 22, 2007
City Auditor – Thomas Koop of Larson Allen
Mr. Koop presented the 2006 audit of the City of Crosby that was just completed by their firm and they found that the city’s financial picture has improved greatly in the last five years. The sewer fund has been loosing money for the last couple of years and the city needs to take a serious look at raising the rates to keep up the expenses with the sewer funds.
There is money available in the capital improvement fund to be able to do projects and not have to borrow money or to assess property owners and he noted that this is a good sign of sound financial planning. Also the city has money in reserves to operate during the time between payments from the State and County.
MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO ACCEPT THE 2006 AUDIT OF THE CITY OF CROSBY THAT WAS COMPLETED BY LARSON ALLEN. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Sova called for a brief recess at 7:15 p.m.
Mayor Sova called the meeting back from recess at 7:22 p.m.
Police Chief Kimberley Coughlin reported on the following –
- Chief Coughlin invited the Mayor and Council to do a “ride along” at any time.
- Noted that the road restrictions are now on
- Union negotiation meeting will be on March 21, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.
Curt Southmayd – 411 4th Avenue NE – Stated there is already low water pressure in the NE area and by adding the new units will make the pressure even lower.
John Mehrkens of Presbyterian Homes – After discussion with partners of Presbyterian Homes and officials from the hospital they will make a utility easement available and they will grant a 60 day extension on the CUP and Preliminary Plat.
MOTION BY MEMBER FERRARI AND SECONDED BY MEMBER VUKELICH TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE A UTILITY CORRIDOR AND TO TABLE ANY DECISION ON THE CUP AND PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR PRESBYTERIAN HOMES AND CUYUNA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AND TO DETERMINE THE CARRING CAPACITY OF WATER AND SEWER AND TO SECURE AN UTILITY EASEMENT. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
City Attorney James Gammello reported on the following –
- Has been working on the animal control contract and will compare the city and county ordinance and create a new city ordinance.
- Les Chileen has applied for a vacation of a platted alley and will advise he and his attorney of the process the city has in place for a vacation.
- He will be working on the criminal history policy for the police department.
City Superintendent Laverne Booth reported on the following –
- A sewer line needs repair on Cross Avenue S and they will be repairing in shortly.
- Road restrictions are now on and he will be placing signs up on the streets.
Member Vukelich inquired as to why the main streets weren’t plowed when it snowed the first time and by the second time people couldn’t open their doors because of all of the snow. Mr. Booth stated that they were tied up with “other things”
Member Neprud asked if the snow plow driver reported that a stop sign was reported or not and if it wasn’t reported to him that employee should be reprimanded. City Superintendent Booth stated that it hadn’t been reported to him.
Member Neprud suggested a meeting with the Public Works employees/drivers be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at the City Garage.
City Engineer Tim Houle and Mike Rude reported on the following –
- Congratulations to the Police Chief for participating in the Polar Plunge
- Have been on “puddle patrol” and have looked at the street project that was done last year to see if any there any “puddling” problems and will continue to monitor the streets and alleys.
- Will be reviewing the developer’s agreement with Presbyterian Homes and the hospital.
- Would like to meet with Members Neprud and Ferrari regarding funding for a water tower, water treatment plant and wells and that there is funding out there and it does look positive for the next couple of years.
City Clerk Cindy Nelson reported on the following –
- League of Minnesota Cities Annual Loss Safety Control workshop in St. Cloud and if anyone is interested in attending to contact her so reservations can be made.
- Member Neprud stated that if Department Heads would like to go they should go and to contact Cindy for reservations.
Mayor/Committee Reports –
Mayor Sova –
- Sign on west end of main street – need to get a quote from Tim Kostal
- City Centennial in 2010 and he will talk with the Chamber and the Historical Society to see if they have any plans and then Mayor Sova will create a “Centennial Committee”
- All City wide clean up will be on May 5, 2007 and a notice will be sent to all residents of the date and it will also be noted on the utility bills.
- Man High Project – They have been offered space to put their statue in the Library Park and a letter from the City to the Historical Society needs to be sent to them stating that they can construct their statue in the Library Park.
Being no further business to come before the City a MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO ADJOURN. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED. Time was 8:24 p.m.
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Dale J. Sova, Mayor Cindy S. Nelson, City Clerk-Treasurer