July 9th, 2007
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the Crosby City Council was held on Monday, July 9, 2007.
At 5:00 p.m. Mayor Sova, Member Neprud, Member Shankle, Member Vukelich and Member Ferrari and City Clerk Cindy Nelson met at the Minnesota Power building with Dan Travica of Minnesota Power to tour the building and grounds of the property for potential purchase of the property. At 5:29 p.m. the tour of the grounds and building ended and everyone left the property until the time of the regular meeting.
6:00 p.m. Mayor Sova called the regular meeting to order with all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Also present at the meeting were City Attorney James Gammello, City Engineer Tim Houle, Police Chief Kimberley Coughlin, Fire Chief Charles Leonhardt, City Superintendent Laverne Booth and City Clerk-Treasurer Cindy Nelson.
Additions to the agenda:
Parks – Bill for Steve’s Drafting for plans for park restrooms – Member Neprud
Public Works – Sewer repairs on Cross Avenue/Ferrari property
Clerk – Resignation of Amee Winter, Planning & Zoning report
Mayor/Committee – Building tour – Member Neprud
MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER VUKELICH TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 25, 2007 MEETING AS PRESENTED. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO APPROVE THE CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT AS PRESENTED. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
Public Forum –
Beverly Johnson representing the Heritage Day’s Committee requesting $1000.00 for advertising and $500.00 for a sign underneath the big sign at the end of Main Street directing people towards the Man High plaque.
MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO DONATE $750.00 FROM THE CITY ADVERTISING BUDGET TO THE HERITAGE DAYS COMMITTEE. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
Public Comments –
City resident Keith Lundgren was present to discuss the low water pressure he and his neighbors have.
City Superintendent Laverne Booth stated that he spoke with Mike Heglund of the water department and he stated that the city line servicing those properties was only a 1 1/2” size line in the street and that the pipes are old and are probably made out of galvanized pipe and the lines need to be replaced.
The council surmised that the water lines need to be fixed and that the property owners would be assessed for repairs to the city lines and a new road which is in our assessment policy.
Unfinished Business –
City Administrator – Members indicated they read the research material that had been prepared by Member Shankle and Mayor Sova asked Clerk Nelson to get this into the budget for 2008. Attorney Gammello clarified that the city can adopt an ordinance for the provision of a City Administrator position but the city does not have to act on the ordinance.
MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO ADOPT ORDINANCE # 2 - 4 TO ESTABLISH A POSITION OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE CITY OF CROSBY. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION BY MEMBER FERRARI AND SECONDED BY MEMBER VUKELICH TO AUTHORIZE THE CLERK TO PUBLISH THE SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE # 2 - 4 ESTABLISHING A POSITION OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
Retro-pay for union employees - The city had not received a reply from the Union at this time regarding the changes they (union) made to the contracts and thus no retro-pay will be paid at this time. The retro-pay will be paid once the correct contracts are reviewed and signed. All non-union hourly employee wages will be determined after the city receives the correct union contracts. Clerk Cindy Nelson was asked to put this on the agenda for the next meeting.
Restructuring of the Public Works Department – It was determined to leave things as they are at this time and to review this position at a later date.
Park restrooms – Member Neprud presented plans that were drafted by Steve Freese of Steve’s Drafting for the new park restrooms and a bill for $300.00 for his services.
MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER VUKELICH TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO STEVE’S DRAFTING IN THE AMOUNT OF $300.00 FOR DRAFTING THE PLANS FOR THE PARK RESTROOMS. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER VUKELICH TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR THE PARK RESTROOMS ALONG WITH THE PLUMBING PLANS THAT HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. THE PLANS AND SPECS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT CITY HALL. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
Johnna Johnson of the Cuyuna Range Chamber of Commerce - Ms. Johnson asked for funds from the city advertising budget for advertising the upcoming boat races and also for funds for the music in the park.
MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER VUKELICH TO DONATE $1000.00 TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR ADVERTISING THE BOAT RACES. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN: MEMBER FERRARI “NAY”, MEMBER VUKELICH “YEA”, MEMBER SHANKLE “NAY”, MEMBER NEPRUD “YEA” AND MAYOR SOVA “NAY”. MOTION FAILED.
MOTION BY MEMBER FERRARI AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO DONATE $750.00 TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR ADVERTISING THE BOAT RACES. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MEMBER NEPRUD “NAY” MOTION CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS –
Conditional Use Permit application # 5-2007 Elly Mailhot to conduct a photography studio in her home which is located in a residential district zone.
MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER NEPRUD TO APPROVE A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT # 5-2007 TO ELLY MAILHOT AS RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION AND TO ADOPT THE FINDINGS OF FACTS FOUND BY THE COMMISSION. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
Elissa Rogers representing BLADC and Kevin and Angie Kruchten were present to present a conceptual plan for TIF financing for Iron Range Plaza.
MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO HAVE KEVIN AND ANGIE KRUCHTEN REPRESENTING IRON RANGE PLAZA DEPOSIT $10,000 IN ESCROW WITH THE CITY OF CROSBY AND A TIF PLAN BE DRAFTED. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Sova thanked everyone on the 4th of July activities that the Fire Department did for the 4th as a wonderful job was well done by everyone that was involved.
Fire Department – Charles Leonhardt reported on the following –
Need to renew the charitable gambling licenses for the Crosby Fire Department Relief Association at the Spalding House and Don’s One Stop for the next 2 years.
A MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER NEPRUD TO APPROVE CHARITABLE GAMBLING BY THE CROSBY FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION AT THE SPALDING HOUSE, INC. AND DON’S ONE STOP FOR A TWO (2) YEAR PERIOD. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
Police Department – Chief Kimberley Coughlin reported on the following –
A great 4th of July this year and there were no incidents to report, things went very smooth.
Attorney James Gammello reported on the following –
Final Plat of the Sanctuary on Serpent needs to be signed by the Mayor and Clerk.
Special Legislation on the land by the city garage – An appraisal will be needed on the land and it will cost between $500.00 - $1,500.00 to have the property appraised and the city will need to pay for the appraisal. It was agreed to table this matter until the August 27th meeting. City Engineer Tim Houle reminded that council that if the city acquires this property it will then clear up the easement issues with Hali-Brite.
Attorney Gammello presented a brief outline of the procedures that apply to cities merging and the options. Mayor Sova will be talking with Mayor Hicks of Ironton.
Mr. Gammello spoke with Crow Wing County about the Animal Control Contract and they indicated that they have sent the City of Crosby a signed contract, but at this time the City has not received one and Mr. Gammello will contact the county to have them send out another one.
City has received a request to sign a new tower lease as the cell tower has been sold and he will report on this at the next meeting.
City resident Charles Sellers inquired as to when the trailers were going to be moved at the trailer park?
Attorney Gammello has spoken with their last known attorney and he no longer works for them, so Mr. Gammello will be contacting the owners directly and start legal proceedings against them to have the trailers removed.
Police Chief Coughlin and Fire Chief Leonhardt were instructed to write a letter stating the hazard of not having that alley accessible to emergency services and that the trailers do need to be moved.
Mayor Sova called for a brief recess at 7:10 p.m.
Mayor Sova called the meeting back to order at 7:21 p.m.
Public Works Department – Laverne Booth reported on the following –
Mr. Booth will be contacting Ritter & Ritter about the sewer break at the Ferrari property on Cross Avenue.
The water leakage on Erie Avenue was on the property owner’s property and not caused by the city and the excavating bill will be sent to the property owner for payment.
The tree stumps on Darlene Winegarner’s property on 1st Street S.W. will be removed shortly.
There is a meeting on Thursday, July 12, 2007 at Noon in the park regarding Project Play and Steve Perpich will be attending along with Member Debra Shankle.
Member Neprud stated that he was told that individuals from within the town are upsetting the city crew with comments and Mr. Booth is reminded to inform his crew that the employees are to only listen to direction from Mr. Booth or from the Council as a whole and not other individuals.
City Engineer Tim Houle reported on the following –
Mr. Houle presented a letter to Cuyuna Senior Development/Presbyterian Homes from Widseth Smith Nolting that they (WSN) are the engineer’s for the City of Crosby first and that they are the engineers secondly for Cuyuna Senior Development/Presbyterian Homes. Mr. Houle asked that the Mayor and Clerk sign this letter of acknowledgment.
MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER VUKELICH TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT WITH WSN STATING THAT THEY ARE THE ENGINEER’S FOR THE CITY OF CROSBY FIRST AND SECONDLY WITH CUYUNA SENIOR DEVELOPMENT/PRESBYTERIAN HOMES. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
4th Street Northwest Street project update – Mr. Houle gave a review of the proposed project and estimated cost that was originally determined when the city did their comprehensive plan.
Discussion was if this project and another proposed project on 2nd Street S.W. between 6th and 7th Avenue were added together if it would be more cost effective. City Engineer Tim Houle will put figures together for both projects and submit a proposal to the City.
City Clerk Cindy Nelson reported on the following –
Received an email on July 9, 2007 from Amee Winter submitting her resignation from the City of Crosby effective July 20, 2007 and asking the council to recognize that the week of July 9 – 13, 2007 be one of her two week notice of resignation as she is attending the last week of Clerk’s Institute in Minneapolis.
MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER NEPRUD TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF AMEE WINTER WITH REGRETS, EFFECTIVE JULY 20, 2007. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO JOIN THE MINNESOTA RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $802.20 WITH THE EXPENSE BEING TAKEN OUT OF THE WATER FUND. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor/Committee Reports –
Member Vukelich stated that the last time that the cemetery ordinance was updated was in 1984 and some changes need to be made regarding benches and monuments being placed out at the cemetery. The change should also state that if other objects are in or around head/foot stones that the city is not responsible for damage. City Clerk Nelson will work on this ordinance change.
Mayor Sova stated that he and Member Vukelich will be in contact with the proper person about acquiring the Minnesota Power building.
Being no further business to come before the city, A MOTION MADE BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED. Time was 8:02 p.m.
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Dale J. Sova, Mayor Cindy S. Nelson, City Clerk-Treasurer