January 14th, 2008
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the re-organizational and regular meeting of the City of Crosby was held on Monday, January 14, 2008 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 Engineer Mike Rude of WSN, Fire Chief Chuck Leonhardt, Police Chief Kimberley Coughlin, City Public Works Foreman Steve Perpich and City Clerk-Treasurer Cindy Nelson.
MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 20, 2007 MEETING AS PRESENTED. 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.
Public Forum –
- Elissa Rogers of CREDI/BLADC presented an application to the Small Cities Development Cooperative agreement program for small cities which include the cities of Crosby, Ironton, Deerwood, Emily and Crow Wing County. The application initial goals are to rehab 4 rental buildings in Crosby and rehab 4 commercial buildings within the city.
MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO AUTHORIZE MAYOR SOVA TO SIGN THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR THE SMALL CITIES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
- Johnna Johnson of the Cuyuna Range Chamber of Commerce was present to ask for monies for advertising for various events they are going to be sponsoring in 2008. She presented a total request for $6,275 for the events for 2008. The fishing marathon $1,750, Trade Show, $1,000, Music in the Park $1,000, Power Boat Races $1,000, Christmas in the Park $1,000 and $525 for New park and campground ad.
- Johnna Johnson of the Chamber also asked that the city provide the barricades and plowing for the fishing marathon on February 2, 2008.
MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD TO DONATE $1,750.00 FROM THE ADVERTISING BUDGET TO THE CHAMBER FOR THE FISHING MARATHON. MOTION DIED FOR A LACK OF A SECOND.
MOTION BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO DONATE $1,000 FROM THE ADVERTISING BUDGET TO THE CHAMBER FOR THE FISHING MARATHON. MOTION DIED FOR A LACK OF A SECOND.
MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO DONATE $1,500.00 TO THE CHAMBER FOR THE FISHING MARATHON FROM THE ADVERTISING BUDGET. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES EXCEPT MEMBER SHANKLE VOTED NO. MOTION CARRIED.
- City resident Matthew Goshey who resides in the Town’s Edge Trailer Park stated that he would be willing to move his shed and trailer, but would like to know the date that this needs to be removed by.
Discussion was that in the early spring Steve Perpich and Mike Rude will find the stakes from the survey.
MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER FERRARI TO AUTHORIZE THE ENGINEER TO FIND THE SURVEY PIN MARKERS BY APRIL 1, 2008 AND TO HAVE THE TRAILERS/SHEDS REMOVED BY JULY 31, 2008. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES.
- Dale Carry presented signatures of 177 people who would like to see the City of Crosby change its ATV ordinance to allow ATV’S travel within the city limits.
Police Chief Kimberley Coughlin was directed to research this and report back to the council with her findings.
Public Comments –
- City resident Joan Hallada inquired if the hospital has approved the city for a zoning change for the properties in her neighborhood yet as they have been buying up single family homes. (No they have not at this time applied for any zoning change) and also if the hospital pays taxes (No the hospital does not, but the clinic does).
Unfinished Business –
- Sound system in council chambers – Member Neprud stated that is was unnecessary and Member Shankle stated that it was expensive and that she would be willing to research this item further and report back to the council.
- The upgrading of the beach was discussed and will be sent to the park committee and return back to the full council in approximately 1 to ˝ months.
- City Administrator applications –
Attorney Gammello suggested that the applications be reviewed as a whole council and the public does not get to comment when this is discussed.
Clerk Nelson was asked to make copies of all of the applications received and stamp them “confidential” and get them to Mayor Sova and all council members and that everyone should come up with their top 3 choices to the personnel committee and to put on the next agenda for further discussion
Attorney Gammello reminded all that the applications are confidential and that they should not be discussed with anyone as there may be private data within the applications.
New Business -
Mayor Sova made the annual appointments to the various committees and positions and set the meeting dates for 2008.
MOTION BY MEMBER SHANKLE AND SECONDED BY MEMBER NEPRUD TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2008 # 01-01 APPROVING THE ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS COMMITTEES, VARIOUS POSITIONS AND SCHEDULED MEETING DATES FOR 2008 WITHIN THE CITY OF CROSBY. (SEE ATTACHED LISTS) A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION BY MEMBER SHANKLE AND SECONDED BY MEMBER VUKELICH TO AUTHORIZE A SALARY INCREASE OF 3.2% FOR ALL NON-UNION HOURLY EMPLOYEES FOR 2008. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
Reports –
Fire Chief Chuck Leonhardt reported on the following –
- There were 55 calls for 2007 and the concrete apron and sidewalk on the west side of the building is broken and there is water running there.
Police Chief Kimberley Coughlin reported on the following –
- A resignation letter was received on this date from Police Officer Eric Stangler effective January 31, 2008.
MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION WITH REGRETS OF ERIC STANGLER FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE JANUARY 31, 2008. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
- Chief Coughlin requested permission to fill this full-time position as she has budgeted for it in 2008. It was decided to table this request until the next meeting.
- Chief Coughlin received an email from Curt & Christine Southmayd regarding a leash law that the city should have and passed out samples from Baxter & Coon Rapids. Chief Coughlin will look further into this and report back to the council.
Mayor Sova called for a brief recess at 7:06 p.m.
Mayor Sova called the meeting back from recess at 7:16 p.m.
Attorney James Gammello reported on the following –
- When looking at the City Administrator that the city should hire a professional
- Held Homes letter of credit can be released if the required easement has been recorded with Crow Wing County. Clerk Nelson will check with the County to see if anything has been recorded on this and report back to the council.
- A letter was received from the union regarding the language of the health insurance and everyone is in agreement as to the employee cost and the employer cost of the insurance.
- Planning & Zoning met and recommended a CUP for the Youth Center with 6 conditions and the findings of fact and to also recommend to amend the zoning ordinance to allow a car wash in a B1 & B2 zone and to prohibit them in all other zones with the findings of fact.
MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER NEPRUD TO APPROVE A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE YOUTH CENTER WITH THE 6 CONDITIONS AND THE 7 FINDINGS OF FACT (SEE ATTACHED) AS RECOMMENDED BY PLANNING & ZONING. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. A UNIMANIOUS VOTE. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINACE TO ALLOW FOR A CAR WASH IN B1 & B2 ZONING AND TO PROHIBIT CAR WASHES IN OTHER ZONES AND THE FINDINGS OF FACT (SEE ATTACHED) AS RECOMMENDED BY PLANNING & ZONING. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. A UNIMANIOUS VOTE: MOTION CARRIED.
Public Work’s Department –
- City resident Ron Prushek stated to the Public Works Department that he has a water problem every spring and is wondering if a culvert could be installed. Discussion that at the west end of his property is not located in the city limits and that he would need to talk with Ironton about this issue and come up with a cost to bring the road up and a culvert and after he talks with Ironton the City of Crosby will look at the issue.
- Steve Perpich reported that there was a power outage this last weekend and the water tower was only ˝ full at the time of the outage and that the city should look into having a generator for the tower. Steve Perpich will look into this matter and report back to the council.
Engineer’s Report –
- Signatures are needed on the 2008 Road Project by the Mayor.
- Mike reported that the letter of credit on Held Homes could be released if the easement has been recorded.
- Will be meeting with Joe Stanich of Serpent Lake Association regarding land use within the city.
- Was notified that the lift station at the Senior Campus will need to be moved as it is on county highway property
Clerk’s Report –
- The 2008 budget has not yet been adopted and needs to be adopted by January 31, 2008, it was decided to have the council members review the proposed budget and to get any changes to the Clerk for the next meeting.
- Received a request from the Crosby Fire Department Auxiliary to hold a raffle on July 4, 2008 and bingo on November 22, 2008.
MOTION BY MEMBER NEPRUD AND SECONDED BY MEMBER SHANKLE TO ALLOW THE CROSBY FIRE DEPARTMENT AUXILIARY TO HOLE A RAFFLE ON JULY 4, 2008 AND BINGO ON NOVEMBER 22, 2008 WAIVING THE 60 DAY WAITING PERIOD. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
- A request was asked of the Clerk if she could put on the water bills that people keep any fire hydrants near their property cleared in case of fire. This will be put on the utility bills going out in February and she will also put something in the Courier.
- A thank you note was received from the Library staff for the turkeys.
- A thank you note was also received from the Chamber for their help with Christmas in the Park.
Mayor/Committee Reports
- It was noted that Dale McCoy passed away and he was a long time member of the HRA board and Clerk Nelson was asked to send a sympathy card to his family.
Being no further business to come before the council a MOTION BY MEMBER VUKELICH AND SECONDED BY MEMBER NEPRUD TO ADJOURN. A VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED. Time was 7:46 p.m.
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Dale J. Sova, Mayor Cindy S. Nelson, Clerk-Treasurer