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1993-01-19 CC Minutes . . . ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL January 19. 1993 Albertville City Hall 7:30 PM PRESENT: Mayor Mike Potter, Councilmembers Duane Berning, Sharon Anderson, Albert Barthel, John Vetsch, and City Secretary Ann Culley. Mayor Potter called the regular meeting of the Albertville City Council to order. The agenda was amended by adding to Administration a presentation by Piper Jaffray representatives Paul King and David Anderson. It was further amended to read "Approval of the Minutes for the January 4, 1993 - Regular Meeting". Berning made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Barthel. All voted aye. Berning made a motion to approve the follow-up sheet for the January 4, 1993 meeting. Vetsch seconded the motion. All voted aye. The minutes of the January 4, 1993, meeting were corrected on Page 2, Paragraph 4 to include that Jan Heikes is to be paid only for the meetings at which she acts as an alternate in a Commissioner's absence and that she will, in fact, vote when acting in that capacity. The minutes were further corrected on Page 4, Paragraph 5 to clarify that the City's pick-up was to be housed in the maintenance building as soon as possible, not immediately. Berning made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Vetsch seconded the motion. All voted aye. Berning questioned why the Maintenance Department had bought 4 new cutting edges. Lindsay explained that 2 were purchased for the big plow and 2 were purchased for the pick-up. He further explained that it is essential that they keep an extra set on hand at all times in case one gets damaged. Anderson questioned why Houghton bought the office supplies at Bizmart. She stated that Gartner delivers free on Tuesdays and Thursdays and that their prices are very reasonable. Culley explained that Houghton had compared prices in the past and still compares prices periodically. Office supplies are bought in large quantities and when purchased in this manner, Bizmart is the most cost effective place to shop. Arlan Middleton addressed the Council in order to clarify the City's Insurance Coverage. He explained that the premium for the 1991-1992 policy date was $11,055 and that the premium for the 1992-1993 policy date is $12,720. He further explained that the property valuations were taken directly from the appraisal. He passed out an Insurance Quotation which was very detailed, a copy of which is attached as a permanent part of the minutes of this meeting. . . . ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL January 19. 1993 Page 2 of 6 Potter stated that he would like Lindsay to review that portion of the quotation relative to the lift stations. Potter further stated that he wants to review the quotation prior to making a final decision. The general consensus of the Council was that the $10,000 valuation listed as "Property in the Open" at Four Seasons Park may not be high enough. Middleton stated that any changes should be directed to his attention as quickly as possible. Lindsay addressed the Council with regard to his concerns about the 5' radius in proposed Ordinance #1993-1. He strongly feels that 10' feet is needed on either side and nothing should be allowed to be placed in front of hydrants due to problems encountered by the Maintenance Department. He further feels that no rocks should be allowed to be placed around hydrants due to the fact that the snow blower picks them up and hurls them as projectiles, making it very dangerous. He stated that there was an ordinance passed 3 to 4 years ago addressing the placement of utilities with respect to distance from hydrants. The Council directed Culley to check into this and report back to them. Berning stated that he agrees with the Planning Commission in that he feels a 10' radius is too restrictive to residents. The City Council authorized Ken to accept the low bid of $60.00 from Petersen Signs for lettering "City of Albertville" on the new plow truck doors. Lindsay stated that he and Rutkowski met with Norm Gartner regarding expansion of the wastewater treatment facility and that he feels strongly that it would save money for the City in the long run if the City were to decide to tear down the old building and replace it with a new pole building. The new building would not need a concrete floor, heat, or insulation and would be used for cold storage only. Thore Meyer is to check further into the costs and feasibility of this option. The Council directed Houghton to remind Meyer that this needs to be completed. Berning stated that he has had no snow plowing complaints and that he felt the Maintenance Department was doing a good job. Potter stated that the Maintenance Department had done a nice job of cleaning out around the fire hydrants. Lindsay stated that they had been using the snowblower to clear the sidewalks as he had been directed to do. He further stated that there were no problems with the 6' sidewalks, but that it was very difficult on the 4' sidewalks and that it could damage the equipment and scrape the sidewalk. He also stated that it takes more time this way. The Council directed Lindsay to continue to use the snowblower for the remainder of this winter and they will re-evaluate the situation in the spring. . ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL January 19, 1993 Page 3 of 6 Barthel questioned the snow plowing situation on the railroad property. Lindsay explained that it's done on a "hit-and-miss" basis. The Maintenance Department makes a pass as they get near the area. Anderson made a motion to approve Ordinance #1993-1 entitled AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1988-12, THE LAND USE (ZONING) REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF ALBERTVILLE BY ADDING PROVISIONS ADDRESSING FIRE HYDRANTS, as recommended by the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Barthel. All voted aye. Berning made a motion to approve the Financial Statement for the period January 1 - January 13, 1993, as presented. Vetsch seconded the motion. All voted aye. . The bills list was amended to include payment of the following checks: #7159 Security Bank NW Int Pymt 1991B Bond #7160 Security Bank NW Int $115,000 GO Ref Bond Berning made a motion to approve the amended bills motion was seconded by Vetsch. All voted aye. 3,150.00 737.92 list. The Potter had suggested changing the City Council meeting time from 7:30 PM to 7:00 PM. The general consensus of the Council was to leave the meeting time at 7:30 PM. Anderson questioned why Wright Recycling would not pick up at Albertville businesses as Evergreen did. She stated that Wright Recycling had agreed to provide the exact services that Evergreen had, and that included picking up at businesses. The Council directed Houghton to clarify this with Wright Recycling and to report back to the Council. No further action was taken. The Council reviewed the contract with Kevin Mealhouse, Building Inspector. The Council has agreed to stay with the 1979 fee schedule for this year but to review it again for 1994. Vetsch made a motion to approve the Building Inspector's contract as submitted. Anderson seconded the motion. All voted aye. Berning inquired whether or not there was a contract for the City Engineer. Potter stated that he had talked to Houghton and she is awaiting further information from Meyer, who is presently on vacation. Berning made a motion to approve RESOLUTION #1993-3, A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE SAC CHARGES FOR THE YEAR 1993. The ~ motion was seconded by Anderson. All voted aye. . ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL January 19, 1993 Page 4 of 6 Rental of City Hall to private individuals was discussed. The Council determined that there was not a lot of public need for this service and they further felt that the exposure to the City and its important records and documents was too high. They further felt that having access to the Fire Department and Maintenance Department could possibly present a problem. The Council feels that future rentals could easily be handled by the new City Park shelter building. It was the unanimous decision of the Council not to rent City Hall to private individuals in the future, however, anyone who currently has it reserved for personal activities may use it. City Hall will still be available at no charge to the local service organizations. . The bid from Babcock, Langbein & Co. was discussed next. Don Zierke of Gruys Borden Carlson was present and asked to address the Council. He stated that the City had never advertised for bids, therefore, they had not followed proper procedure for the bidding process. He further stated that the Council showed no consideration for Gruys Borden Carlson, who has done the Albertville City Audit for approximately 20 years, by taking this course of action. He stated that the City had never requested a meeting with them to discuss fees. He further voiced his displeasure regarding a meeting he had scheduled with Potter which was changed from a Wednesday to a Thursday, and which Potter did not keep nor cancel. Gruys Borden Carlson would like to opportunity to bid on the City Audit and needs City specifications for same. Zierke questioned whether the audit was cash or accrual. The Council directed Houghton to contact both Gruys Borden Carlson and Babcock, Langbein & Co. with the specifications and to make sure they were both bidding on exactly the same thing. Paul King and Dave Anderson of Piper Jaffray presented their investment proposal to the Council. They stated that they specialize in small city investments and that their goal is to try to get better daily interest rates on City funds. They stated that the City's liquidity needs are of prime importance and that it is important that all bonds be held until mature in order to receive the maximum benefit to the City. The City Council directed Houghton to see if the current City bonds can be taken out at any time without penalty to the City. Zierke stated that he wholly endorses the City's position on this, but wanted to make them aware that most of the interest will go back to the bond fund and will have to be left in those funds. They will not go into the general fund, but could aid in lowering the levy to taxpayers. . . . . ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL January 20. 1993 Page 5 of 6 The Council discussed obtaining a fiscal and credit rating profile through Springsted, Inc. The cost of the entire procedure would be $5,000. Anderson questioned where, in the current budget the City would find $5,000 to pay for this service. Potter stated that the purpose was to find out how Albertville's indebtedness compared to other cities of similar size. Potter stated that he felt the funds may be found in the amount budgeted for the audit, depending on the quotes. It was the consensus of the Council to wai t with making a decision until after they have received the audit cost figures. Potter stated that there is currently too much snow to proper ly assess the damage done to Don Scherber' s landscaping during snow plowing, but that he will address the situation again in the spring. Berning questioned whether or not Houghton had checked prices on timeclocks. Culley stated that Houghton's note indicated the cost of a timeclock to be $259.95, ribbons cost $15.65 each, and timecard racks are $22.00 each. No action was taken at this time. Potter stated that he had reviewed the driveway problems Raab was having and that they agreed that it would take approximately 1 1/2 yards of concrete to remedy the problem. The driveway will be repaired at City expense. Doug Psyk was in attendance and stated that the meeting scheduled for January 22, 1993, is cancelled. Potter stated that Hoglund's had called Houghton and requested that the City remove the plow truck from their facility since there has been no interest generated recently. Berning made a motion to contact Hoglund and lower the selling price from $3300 to $1800 and consider any offers. Barthel seconded the motion. All voted aye. Potter stated that Albertville had sent a letter to regarding re-opening negotiations on the fire contract. spoken to someone from Otsego and they advised him that a from Otsego would be forthcoming. Otsego He had letter . . . ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL January 19. 1993 Page 6 of 6 Potter stated that Frankfort has requested a meeting to discuss the procedure for obtaining reimbursement for non-resident emergency calls. Barthel made a motion to adjourn at 9:45 PM. Vetsch seconded the motion. All voted aye. A4~ Michael Potter, Mayor