July 23rd, 2007

 

Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the Crosby City Council was held on Monday, July 23, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Crosby City Hall Council Chambers.  The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

 

Mayor Dale Sova presided with Member Erwin “Buzz” Neprud, Member Debra Shankle, Member Edward Vukelich and Member David “Butch” Ferrari present.  Also present were City Attorney James Gammello, City Engineers Tim Houle and Mike Rude of WSN, Fire Chief Charles Leonhardt, Police Chief Kimberley Coughlin, Steve Perpich from the Public Work’s Department and City Clerk-Treasurer Cindy Nelson.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 9, 2007 MEETING.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER NEPRUD TO APPROVE THE CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT AS PRESENTED.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Additions to the Agenda:  Unfinished Business – Member Vukelich - $1,000 salary increase for Librarian – 6 month probation ended.

Mayor/Committee Reports – Mayor Sova – MN Power building.

 

Public Forum –

 

TIF 2 – 2.1 Public Hearing – Crosby Senior Services, Inc. TIF Plan & Resolution

 

Mayor Sova opened the Public Hearing at 6:03 p.m. and asked for comments from the public and there were none.

 

Mayor Sova closed the Public Hearing at 6:04 p.m.

 

Nick Skarich of Northland Securities explained minor change in the numbering of the TIF plan from 1.1 to 2 – 1 and that the actual contractual agreement will be drawn up by Briggs and Morgan with Presbyterian Homes and signatures will be needed at that time.

 

Attorney Gammello stated that there is no bonding issue to put the city at risk and he has found the resolution in order.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DEVELOPMENT PROFRAM FOR DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. 2 AND ESTABLISHING TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 2-1 AND APPROVE THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN THEREFOR WITHIN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. 2.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Tom Reek of Cuyuna Regional Medical Center stated that this project will be started at the end of August or the first part of September and thanked the City for their help on this project.

 

John Mehrkens of Presbyterian Homes also publicly thanked the City of Crosby for their help on this project.

 

Public Comments –

 

City resident Bob Hillerud of 15 – 2nd Street S.W. asked if the city could install a drop box on the outside of City Hall as there are many people who come to pay their bill before the offices open up and also a notice for campers about registering after hours.

 

The council asked that a drop box be installed on the outside of City Hall and signage for campers.  Clerk Cindy Nelson will take care of this.

 

Unfinished Business –

 

Retro pay for union and non-union hourly employees.

 

Attorney Gammello stated that the union submitted correct wage information and it has been reviewed and all is in order.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO SIGN THE TEAMSTERS LOCAL #346 UNION AGREEMENT WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SEONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO AUTHORIZE A 3% INCREASE IN WAGES FOR ALL NON-UNION HOURLY EMPLOYEES RETRO PAY TO JANUARY 1, 2007.  A VOICE VOTE:  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Member Vukelich – When Head Librarian was hired in January it was agreed to a 6 month probation period and then the annual wage will increase by $1,000.00.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO INCREASE THE ANNUAL WAGE FOR MARGARET “PEGGI” BESERES BY $1,000.00 EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2007.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

New Business –

 

Mike Doman, Gambling Manager of the Sports Boosters was present to ask for approval of the Charitable Gambling license renewal by the C-I Sports Boosters at Peanut’s Pub (Midway) and the Crosby Bar.  All charitable gambling monies are donated to the school.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO RENEW THE CHARITABLE GAMBLING LICENSE FOR THE SPORTS BOOSTERS AT PEANUT’S PUB AT THE MIDWAY AND THE CROSBY BAR.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Elissa Rogers from CREDI/BLADC was present to present a Memorandum of Understanding with Family Dollar, Inc. that the company would like the city to sign.

 

After discussion is was decided that a formal complete TIF plan would need to be submitted. 

 

Ms. Rogers and Clerk Cindy Nelson were asked to come up with a formal TIF application plan for the City of Crosby.

 

Fire Department –

 

Chief Charles Leonhardt stated that is has been quiet the last 2 weeks for the Fire Department

 

Police Department –

 

Police Chief Kimberley Coughlin reported that at the next meeting she will have information on the purchase of a police vehicle each year.

 

Member Vukelich gave Chief Coughlin a list of messy yards that need to be checked out.

 

Member Shankle inquired about having a police sub-station in the park when the new equipment is installed and putting up signs to indicate so.

 

Member Ferrari stated that there are people swimming at the boat landing and that more patrol is needed there.

 

City Attorney James Gammello reported on the following –

 

The signed Animal Contract has been received with fully executed signatures with Crow Wing County and Chief Coughlin will get information in the Courier and out to residents about the new procedure for animal control.

 

The cell tower has been sold and a new lease/estoppel agreement needs to be signed by the Mayor and Clerk.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CLERK TO SIGN THE NEW CELL TOWER LEASE/ESTOPPEL AGREEMENT.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Attorney Gammello informed the council of additional monies owed to the union for health insurance for a retired employee.  When the employee retired the city agreed to pay for health insurance until April 2007 and the city paid the active employee rate when the city should have been paying the retired rate.  The additional money due the union is $7,952.21.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO PAY TEAMSTER’S LOCAL #346 HEALTH FUND $7,952.21 FOR MONIES OWED FOR ADDITIONAL HEALTH CARE COSTS.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Mayor Sova stated that the money paid to the union will come out of the Public Work’s Department.

 

The land that the city wishes to acquire has been approved by the legislature and the county wants the city to pay for an appraisal of the land.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD TO HAVE THE PROPERTY APPRAISED.

 

During discussion it was decided that a map of the property will be brought to the next meeting and the attorney will explain the options that the city has.

 

Member Neprud withdrew his motion.

 

Public Work’s Department – Steve Perpich reported on the following –

 

A part broke at the pump house in one of the pumps and it is being repaired and while the pump is out the pump will be cleaned also.

 

Mayor Sova inquired about the high water usage at the bakery.  A new meter was installed and some leaks have been found.

 

The sidewalks on 2nd Street SE and 1st Street SW will be replaced by Brian Jones and inquired about replacing the sidewalk on the east side of the Crosby Auto Parts store as it is in very bad shape.  Steve will talk with the owner of the parts store about the assessment policy on replacing sidewalks within the city and get a cost to the owner and the Public Work’s Department will remove any large pieces of concrete that are broken and replace with gravel.

 

Member Vukelich stated that people are now driving over the new sidewalk and curb in the vacant lot next to the bakery and it needs to be repaired.  Clerk Cindy Nelson was asked to write a letter to property owner Phil Mayer about this and state that he is responsible for any damage done to the new sidewalks and curbs and to include a copy of the agreement that he signed with the city.

 

Member Neprud inquired about the lists of sidewalks in town and it’s where a bouts.  Clerk Nelson will attempt to find the list and report back at the next meeting.

 

Mayor Sova called for a brief recess at 7:10 p.m.

 

Mayor Sova called the meeting back to order at 7:15 p.m.

 

City Engineer Tim Houle reported on the following –

 

Tim passed out a fully signed copy of the agreement between WSN, Cuyuna Senior Services, Presbyterian Homes and the City of Crosby which states that WSN is the engineer first for the city and then the others.

 

Augusta Homes – Phase 2 will be tapping into the sewer on Wednesday.

 

Sanctuary on Serpent – The road is being roughed in.

 

Tim was asked to submit a proposal for the next street and utility project and he handed out a proposal in the amount of $48,100 for the 3 projects.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER VUKELICH TO ACCEPT THE ENGINEERING PROPOSAL FROM WSN IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,100 FOR 4TH STREET NW TH 6 TO CROSS AVENUE, 2ND STREET SW, 6TH AVENUE WEST TO 7TH AVENUE WEST AND 1ST AVENUE EAST & 8TH STREET N.E.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

City Clerk Cindy Nelson reported on the following –

 

The change in the cemetery ordinance regarding benches is still being worked on and will be presented at the next meeting.

 

Submitted an agreement with Mid State Refrigeration on a maintenance contract for the new furnaces at City Hall at a cost of $347.00 per time.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO ACCEPT A SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH MID-STATE REFRIGERATION FOR FURNACES AT CITY HALL AT A COST OF $347.00 PER TIME FOR A YEARLY COST OF $347.00.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Mayor/Committee Reports –

 

Member Shankle provided an update on the meeting with representatives of Project Play.  More porta toilets and wash stations will be needed during the construction of the new playground equipment.  The cost of the wash stations is still unknown at this time, but will have a figure at the next meeting.  It was decided that the city will pay for the extra toilets and wash stations during the construction of the play ground equipment.

 

The Project Play committee asked that the park be closed during construction of the new playground.  Riverton has been asked to remove the current playground equipment by August 20, 2007 so that the ground can be prepared for the installation of the new equipment.

 

Mayor Sova inquired about a surveillance camera and more lighting at the new restrooms in the park and it was decided that these could be added if needed at a later date.

 

 The size of the water heater was also discussed and it was decided to leave it at the 40 gallon size that has been sent out with the bids.  If at a later date a bigger one was needed, the city crew could install a larger one.

 

Mayor Sova spoke with a representative of MN Power and the city needs to submit a letter of interest to MN Power and to state our intentions and after they receive the letter from the city they will respond at that time on how to proceed.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER NEPRUD TO SEND A LETTER OF INTENT TO RUSS SCHUMACHER OF MINNESOTA POWER AND TO OFFER $650,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF THEIR BUILDING.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Being no further business to come before the council a MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.  Time was 8:04 p.m.

 

 

 

_________________________________                  _______________________________

Dale J. Sova, Mayor                                                      Cindy S. Nelson, City Clerk-Treasurer