1990-07-02 CC Minutes
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<XXJNCIL MINOTKS
July 2, 1990
The regular meeting of the Albertville City Council was called to order
by Mayor Gary Schwenzfeier. Members preaent included Bob Braun, Jim Krystoaek.
Donatus Vetsch, and Ihn Cornelius. Others present included Maureen Andrews,
Bob Miller, Thore Meyer, Ken Lindsay, and Jackie Peterson.
The agenda for the eveningr s meeting was reviewed by the Council. A
motion was made for app.roval of the agenda by Ihn Cornelius, and seconded. by
Ihnatus Vetsch. All were in favor and the motion carried.
'!be minutes of the June 18th. meeting were reviewed. Ken noted that the
discussion on the d.i.scha:rging of the Waste Water Treatment Facility was
incorrect. He stated that the rli~JBSion Roolld have noted that it was the
first rliRCha:rge that was oaIPleted and not the second one. Hearing no other
caIIIIeIl.ts a motion was made to approve the minutes. '!be motion was made by Don
Cornelius and ~ by IXma.tus Vetsch. All were in favor and the motion
carried.
The first item on the agenda was maintenance:
Ken r.jl'ldsay informed the Council that the blacktopping of paths in the
Four Season Park was oaIP1eted.. Ihn Cornelius pointed cut that he felt that
there were sane bad spots that need to be checked. Ken and Jim Krystosek said
that they woo.ld go out and check it.
Ken also pointed out that the park equipDent will be installed in the
next few weeks, depending on if the weather I"PJIV'linR nice.
'!bere was sane rliRA1SSion regarding the leaky water fountain in the City
Park and what steps were being taken to correct the problem. IXma.tus said
that a member of the J~ had raised. the question of why the fountain was
not working with him.
Ken noted that they bad had probl.eur:5 in the fall trying to get the water
shut off and when they tried to reopen it in the spring they could not get the
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valve on again. It was also noted that the wrench was to short to use to turn
the fountain on and off. He sai.d. that a piece could be added on rather than
spending $85.W for a new wrench. It was also noted that Ken should have a
key so that heoould go in and fix it. Ken sai.d. that the cap had been knock
off during IOOWing last year hIt it had been replaced and that it should be
okay .
Ken brooght up the fact that the pump fran Norther has not come in yet,
rot they have brooght one in to use in the mean time. Maureen then informed
the Council that she received a call fran Northern and that the pump was ready
and sitting on the dock.
Mayor Gary Scbwenz:feier asked Ken to explain to the Council the need for
a H1.osIh>rous Test Kit. Ken explained that the kit would allow for on-site
testing of ~rous levels instead of having to wait tmtil the test results
oome back fran the testing ~. It was pointed out that with the kit the
City could start the alum tzea.tment process as soon as the level was known,
which would likely cut down on the time it will take to COIU;)lete the d:iscbarge
process. Ken noted that the kit costs approximately $25f?J.m.
'!bere was also sane rli ~J6sion regarding the problem of not meeting
limits for discharging this year. It was pointed out that the likely cause
for the problem arises ~l8e of a high algae problem which the ponds have
been experiencing since last year. Saoe reasons that were suggested as
reasons that the City is having problema.
1. '!bere could be a large carp PQlUlation in cell 3 of the pond. Noting
that last fall approximately Zi'.e carp were raooved fran the system.
It has been suggested that carp is likely eating the DaIimeY, which
is a Wg that eats the algae which in turn keeps the ~rous
level down.
2. '!bere oould be a ~jcal reaction 1:Jebieen the the copper sulfate,
used to reduce the algae, and the liquid alum, which oould be causing
the alum not to work as effectively.
It was suggested that if the problem is found to be that the carp
PQlUlation that it might be advisable to see about doing a "chemical kill" on
the fish. It was noted that this may not be allowed because of mR
requ:ira&ents regarding carry over, since the pond water is discharged into the
lake and out through the creek.
'!be question was raised whether or not saDet.hing could be being
discharged into the sanitary sewer system and that is why the problem has
arisen at the pond. It was noted that if a solution is not found to the
problem then this p06Sibility might need to be explored.
After further discussion, a JOOtion was made by Ihnatus Vetsch to Pll'ChaBe
a H1.osIh>rus Test Kit. The DK>tion was SP.OOnded by Ihn Cornelius. All were in
favor and the DK>tion carried.
'!be next item rli~JBSed was the letter fran Bob Miller regarding vacation
pay and sick leave for persons who previously worked for the City,
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specifiCR lly the hiring of Mike Ibtkowski who worked 11 mnths for the City a
year earlier.
'!be question that had been raised :regarding what vacation and sick leave
benefits is a new employee eligible for when they had been employed by the
City at an earlier date, having left the position in good standing? Can. the
previous benefits ea:med. to attrib1ted to the current employment therefore
making them eligible sooo.er for their vacation and sick leave benefits?
In the letter to the Council :fran the City Attor.ney, Bob Miller, it was
suggested that the ~ of the Personnel Policy would indicate that it
was intended to provide vacation pay based upon the total time that a person
has worked for the City. '!bere is noting in the language that says that a
break in service before one year is OCIQPleted would require the €lQPloyee to
forfeit his days worked towards accru:ing vacation and sick leave pay. He
further noted that if the person is dc6med fit for lllmicipal employment during
both the initial employment J;ilase and a subsequent re arployment, that it
would seem that a :reasonable interpretation would be that the €lQPloyee would
be allowed all his "accrued" vacation and sick leave as an appropriate "fringe
benefit" .
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Bob noted that if the Council agreed with this interruption that Mike
Rutkowski's 11 mnths of previous service would be ootmted towards his accrued
time. He pointed out that the Council could stipliate special conditions
:regarding the use of the time during the probationary period for the new
position.
Bob suggested that the clarification of the issue should be so noted in
the Personnel Policy, in the event the matter should ever arise again.
It was suggested as a solution to the confusion that Mike's previous time
be ootmted towards vacation and sick leave bIt not allow it to be used tmtil
after the six mntbs probationary period has been oaqpleted.
Hearing no other questions or ocml'katts, a JOOtion was made al.lowing Mike
Rutkowski r s previous service (11 mntbs) to be ootmted towards his first year
vacation and sick leave with the stipllation that it can not be used tmtil
after his six mnth probationary period. '!be JOOtion was made by Kim Krystosek
and secx>nded. by IXmatus Vetsch. All were in favor and the JOOtion carried.
Bob then said that be will draft an 8Irendment to be reviewed at the next
meeting .
'!be issue of "t.eqlorary full time employees came up. What would the policy
be towards their time? Bob said that be would look: into the matter.
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IXmatus asked Bob if be will then draft an ;:mendment to clarify any
questions :regarding full timelPart time in the future. With no further
discussion the issue was tabled till the next Council meeting.
'!be issue of ];Ul'Cbasing radios for the Maintenance ])epartmen.t was
discussed next. '!be question of new verses used was raised by the Council.
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Mayor Gary Schwenzfeier that he has done sane checking into the price of
new radios. He said that one new radio runs alxnt $4m.m - $5BtJ.m each. He
said the price for 3 Midland radios would be $1,579. m with everyt.hi:ng that is
needed, plus a warrantee of 2 - 5 years depending on the brand p.n-chased. He
also pointed out that if we Pll'Chased just 3 JOObile radios for now, we can
always expand at a later date. It was noted that one radio would be used as a
baBe in the City Hall while the other two would be used in the City trucks
(pickup and snow plow).
It was noted that Jim Krvstosek had brought sane radios for the Council
to look at. He informed. the Council that he had 7 units which include: 4
three year old Midland and 2 Standard JOObile radios, plus 1 portable radio.
He said that he would sell them to the City for $l,SI?J.m.
Ken noted that he would like to see a baBe radio in the shop so that
there would be ~mication between the shop and. the the vehicles. It was
pointed out that if new radios were p.n-chased that this option will have to be
held off on.
As part of the rli RnJSSion regarding the purchase of the used equipnent
there was the issue of needing to replace the crysta.ls so that the radios
would lUll on oor frequency. If we need to bJy new crysta.ls for the radios,
bow DUCh will this coat.
. 'lb.ere was a great deal of rli RnlBSion regarding the warranty issue and
whether or not there was 8DY merit for concern regarding the same. It was
pointed out that these radios are solid state and there are not alot of t.hings
that can go wrong with them.
After sane further rliRnlBSion it was agreed that Jim would hold the
radios till the next meeting, when a decision coo.l.d be made. There was no
:further rli RtJIJSSion in this matter and the issue was tabled till the next
meeting .
No:rman Barthel was at the meeting to e:xpressed his concern regarding the
had had saoeone cane out site elevation so that the water would drain out to
Main Avenue. Bob informed. the Council that it appeared that there needed to
be saoe additicmal corrections need to be made on the two developed lots east
of his. It was pointed out that this work was schAdJJled for 'lblrsday.
'lhor Heyer asked Maureen if she received a (X)py of the ~ Petition for
!JQprovements fran Ken Barthel. It was noted that the form had been pickup bxt
not returned at the time of the meeting.
Hearing no other oan-nts a JOOtion was made by Bob Braun to order the
Feasibility SWdy for PARKS EOOKrS Street and utility !JQprovements. Jim
Krvstosek seoonded the JOOtion. All were in favor and the JOOtion carried..
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'!bere was rli RnJSSion on the Kohnen bill :regarding inspection services.
Bob informed. the Council that staff had reviewed the fees and was requesting
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that the letter be sent to Kohnen with the finrli~. The following is a
breakdown of the billing:
~Jle - A:
$ 43,848.37
2,842.41
$ 4,788.75
$ 6,275.58
Schedule - B:
~lle - C:
Gary questioned whether or not there was any exposure to the City if sane
of the earlier questioned permits were paid. Bob noted that Kohnen had signed
off on the permits limiting the City's exposure. It was further noted that
the pn:'p()Se of the :inspection is for the protection of the City not the
contractor or the ORDer.
After BaDe rliRt'!ll1SSion the issue of Building permits was tabled.
The Council rli Rt'!111B8ed. the issue of adopting an ordi rumne for the use of
the new pa:r:krs wa.1.kw8ys. '!be ordinance lDlld state that there lDlld not any
JlDtorized vehicles, skate boards or bikes allowed on the paths. '!be reason
being, the grade of the paths are to great, and the chance of persons getting
injured are to great. If the ordinance is in place and saneone violates it and
~tld get hurt, then the City could not be held liable for their injury.
Ken r.indssy said that he has ordered the signs for the paths. He also
informed the Council that the signs were ordered stating the restricted items
for the paths. He said he made BaDe temporary signs and has p.xt them up, till
the new ones oaDe in. Bob Miller was directed to make the changes to the
existing ordin;moe to reflect these stipllations.
Mike ~, one of the owners of the 152 Club, preaented his idea. of a
Garden Bar with a patio to the Council. He wanted to know what he lDlld need
to do as far as the City oro.i~ are stated.
Kevin Heal.bouse the a~ilrliYlg Inspector for the City, said he lDlld need a
oaQPletely fenced in patio. The patio woold have to be flat with the ground.
'!be plans lDlld also show that they lDlld still be on their own property.
'!be issue of msic and noise was brought up. After BaDe discussion sane
of the ideas were that the the fencing IIIlBt have intemal lighting, and the
msic speakers had to be pl.aoed in such a way that the msic woold be directed
intemally, rather than outward towards neigbbors. Also that serving of any
drinks should be not permitted after a reasonable hour, such as W:0i?J or 11:m
p.m.
It was decided that an ordinance lDlld be prepared by Bob Miller and
reviewed at the next meeting. '!bere was no further discussion and the issue
was tabled.
'!be issue of the vacation of the old 152 Rigbt-of--way's Public Hearing
was rliROmsed. It was decided. that a public hearing woold be held on August
6th, 1990, at 7:0i?J P .K.
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Prior to the meeting the Council had had an opportunity to see the new
chairs being considered for the Conference Roan. Mayor Schwenzfeier asked if
the Council felt the price of the new conference chairs was aooeptab1e. Ihn
Cornelius made a motion to bJy 8 new chairs at $?Jlfl.m each. Dona:bJs Vetsch
seoonded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried.
'!be Council reviewed the Tnoaoe and Bills to be paid. A motion was made
by Ihnatus Vetsch to pay the bills. The motion was seoonded by Don Cornelius.
All were in favor and ~R W619 t.hroogb W667 were approved.
The resignation of Steve Klitzka as Park Board President was reviewed.
Lisa Shu1st.ad also has conflicting schedules with the board meetings. The
board has two vacancies that need to be PIt in the paper and filled..
'!be issue of the water dra.:inage problem in Frankfort Township was briefly
discussed. It is apparent that the water is draining and the water level is
going down.
Thore noted that the issue of the sea.lcoating job done last year has been
"b.tmed over to the bond octI.I.[laDY and nothing new has been heard regarding the
matter. '!bere was sane rliROJSSion regarding the job done with the red :rock,
it appears that there may have been more oil applied then necessary, b:rt that
it does effect the finiRhP.rl job.
A motion was made by Don Cornelius to adjoom. the meeting. Jim Krystosek
seoonded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried.
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