September 24th, 2007

 

Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the Crosby City Council was held on Monday, September 24, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Crosby City Hall Council Chambers.  The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

 

Mayor Dale Sova called the meeting to order with Member Debra Shankle, Member Edward Vukelich and Member David “Butch” Ferrari present, Member Erwin “Buzz” Neprud was absent.

 

Also present were City Attorney James Gammello, Fire Chief Charles Leonhardt, Police Chief Kimberley Coughlin, City Engineer Michael Rude of WSN and City Clerk-Treasurer Cindy Nelson, City Superintendent Laverne Booth was absent.

 

Additions to the agenda: Member Vukelich – Digging permits (Clerk’s) and boulevard at Winegarner’s (Public Works).

 

Mayor Sova stated that the preliminary levy for 2008 was set on September 14, 2007 at $1,281,852 which is the same as 2007 for a 0% increase.

 

Public Forum –

 

Joyce Buchite who was on the agenda was not in attendance.

 

Denny Palmer of the Cuyuna Lakes Bike Trail updated the city on the next portion of the trail which will run from the Croft Mine to the Hallett Center and down 6th Avenue NE and across the north side of the hospital property to Township 135 to Hwy. 6.  Mr. Palmer handed out a map with different routes and before any improvements are made agreements will need to be in place.  At this time the committee would like support of the City of Crosby for this route.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO PRELIMINARY WORK ON PLAN “B” ROUTE FOR THE CUYUNA LAKES BIKE TRAIL GOING FROM THE CROFT MINE TO THE HALLETT CENTER AND DOWN 6TH AVENUE AND ACROSS THE NORTH SIDE OF THE HOSPITAL PROPERTY OUT TO IRONDALE TOWNSHIP #135 TO HWY. 6.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Public Comments –

 

City resident Bob Novak inquired about the timing of the bike trail project with federal and state funding.

 

Unfinished Business –

 

Library – Peggy Beseres Head Librarian appeared before the council to explain the hiring of a new employee at the Library.  On August 17, 2007 the Library Board authorized replacing the position of Children’s Librarian which was held by Peggy Beseres.  The library ran an ad in the local paper and the Library personnel committee conducted interviews and hired Debra Wiede as the new Children’s Libraian.  They didn’t create a new position; they just filled a vacant position at the library.  Mayor Sova and the council were all in agreement of filling that position, but they still need to follow proper hiring procedures of the city.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER SHANKLE AND SECONDED BY MEMBER VUKELICH TO APPROVE HIRING DEBRA WEIDE AS A PART-TIME EMPLOYEE AT THE LIBRARY.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

Final Developer’s Agreement & Utility Easement with Crosby Senior Services –

 

Attorney Gammello has reviewed both agreements and recommends the Mayor & Clerk sign them.

 

MOTION BY MEMER SHANKLE AND SECONDED BY MEMBER VUKELICH TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK SIGN THE DEVELOPER’S AGREEMENT AND THE UTILITY AGREEMENT WITH CROSBY SENIOR SERVICES.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER SHANKLE AND SECONDED BY MEMBER VUKELICH TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO SIGN THE FINAL PLAT OF CROSBY SENIOR SERVICES.  A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Public Hearing for Business Subsidy –

 

Mayor Sova opened the public hearing at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of adopting a Business Subsidy plan for the City of Crosby.

 

There were no comments from the audience.

 

Mayor Sova closed the public hearing for the Business Subsidy.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER SHANKLE AND SECONDED BY MEMBER VUKELICH TO ADOPT A BUSINESS SUBSISIDY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF CROSBY.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Member Ferrari arrived at 6:35 p.m.

 

Adopting Resolution for TIF # 2 -2 and the Developer’s Agreement for Iron Range Plaza

 

MOTION BY MEMBER SHANKLE AND SECONDED BY MEMBER VUKELICH TO ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF TIF # 2 – 2 AND THE DEVELOPER’S AGREEMENT FOR IRON RANGE PLAZA.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

New Business –

 

Public Works Superintendent Laverne Booth submitted a letter of resignation effective Friday, September 28, 2007.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF PUBLIC WORK’S SUPERINTENDENT LAVERNE BOOTH WITH REGRETS EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 24, 2007, BUT WITH PAY THROUGH Friday, September 28, 2007.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Fire Department –

 

There was one run since the last meeting.

 

The mutual aid agreement for fire service needs to be accepted by the city and signed by the Mayor and Clerk.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO ACCEPT THE MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT FOR FIRE SERVICE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CLERK TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Attorney’s Report –

 

Working on the pleadings for Town’s Edge Trailer Park.

 

Engineer’s Report –

 

Public Hearing on the preliminary assessments for the 2008 Street Project is on Monday, October 1, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. and Mike & Tim will conduct the hearing.

 

Mayor Sova asked Mike Rude to be in contact with Denny Palmer on the bike trail.

 

City Clerk’s Report –

 

Need to change the December 24th meeting as it is a scheduled Holiday.

 

It was decided to change the December 24th meeting to December 20, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.

 

Member Vukelich inquired about digging permit in the City.  The City Clerk Cindy Nelson was asked to find the ordinance on the digging permit and to put a copy of the ordinance in the packets for the next meeting.

 

Police Department Report –

 

Chief Coughlin will contact Joyce Buchite about the condition of her yard.

 

Chief Coughlin discussed the winter parking flyers that she made and that tickets will be written to violators this winter.  City Clerk Nelson stated that she would put the reminders on the utility bills that will be going out in October and November and also will put something in the Courier about the winter parking ordinance.

 

Captain Rick Koop stated that the cable broke on September 20, 2007 on the radio antenna at City Hall and needs to be repaired along with the mounting pipe.  There is money in the Police Department budget to repair these items and the cost is within the spending limits of Chief Coughlin.

 

Captain Koop presented 3 options for vehicle purchases for the Police Department. 

 

It was decided to just purchase one squad for 2007/2008 budget period.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO PURCHASE ONE POLICE VEHICLE FROM THE 2007/2008 BUDGETED MONIES.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Chief Coughlin would like to purchase another camera for a squad car and will have the prices at the next meeting.

 

Mayor/Committee Reports –

 

Health Fitness Contract – tabled until the next meeting

 

Project Play – Mayor Sova thanked everyone who worked on the play ground and there are still a few items to be completed.  Grading needs to be done by the entrance to the playground, another light needs to be installed on the north side by the creek and across from the restrooms.  There are other items being discussed that are needed in the park such as new picnic tables, a bridge across the creek and other items.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO AUTHORIZE CLERK CINDY NELSON TO CONTACT MINNESOTA POWER TO HAVE ANOTHER LIGHT INSTALLED AT THE PLAYGROUND ON THE NORTH EAST SIDE BY THE CREEK AND ACROSS FROM THE RESTROOMS.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Chief Coughlin inquired about doing something for Laura Roberts & Michelle LeMieur the Co-Coordinators of Project Play.  Mayor Sova asked Chief Coughlin, Clerk Cindy Nelson and Member Debra Shankle to meet and discuss this.

 

Restructuring the Public Work’s Department –

 

Steve Perpich of the Public Work’s Department has already been designated the working foreman when the Superintendent was absent and he will be the interim working foreman until a job description can be developed for the position.  Clerk Cindy Nelson was asked to check with the League of Minnesota Cities about a job description for a working foreman and report her findings to the Public Work’s Committee.  The two members Public Work’s Committee will oversee the department and report back to the whole council.

 

A bill has been submitted for partial payment by Larry Alberg for the pump house motor.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO AUTHORIZE THE PAYMENT OF THE PARTIAL BILL.

 

MEMBER VUKELICH RESCINDED HIS MOTION AND MEMBER FERRARI RESCINDED HIS SECOND ON THIS MOTION.

 

Clerk Cindy Nelson was asked to get more information on the total cost of the pump repairs at the pump house.

 

Northwood’s Equipment of Aitkin submitted a quote of a stump grinder in the amount of $5,175.00 with pricing under the state purchasing contract.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO PURCHASE A BOBCAT STUMP GRINDER FOR $5,175.000 FROM NORTHWOOD’S EQUIPMENT FROM THE STREET DEPARTMENT BUDGET.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO ADJOURN THE MEETING TO OCTOBER 1, 2007 AT 6:00 P.M.  A VOICE VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

 

 

 

 

____________________________________                        ________________________________

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