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April 14, 2008
The Council met in regular session on the 14th day of April,
2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Room.
Present: Greg Hansen, Leonard McLaughlin, Todd Harrington and
Xiong Yang.
Also present: Tom Hansen, Wes Bell, Mike Zeug, Travis Schaar,
Andy Foster
Mayor Hansen presided at the meeting
A Walnut Grove resident was present and inquired about what
could be done to get his neighboring property cleaned up.
Discussion was held and it was decided that the neighbor was in
violation of Ordinance 161 amending Ordinance 141, regarding
nuisances. The council asked the clerk to send a letter to the
owner of the property explaining this violation and asking for
the yard to be cleaned up.
The
Bar & Grill report was given. Discussion was held about
allowing the Bar & Grill to give donations such as kegs of root
beer for community events to promote business. Also, it was
decided that the Bar & Grill will donate the lunch at the
community center during the city wide clean up day. Discussion
was held about the employees doing cleaning at the bar. The
employees doing the cleaning are hourly wage employees and not
contract employees so they need to be paid for all hours worked.
Discussion was held about new uniforms for the Bar & Grill
employees. Motion by Leonard McLaughlin, second by Todd
Harrington, to approve ordering new uniforms at the cost of
between $600 and $700. All voted in favor, motion carried.
Tom
Hansen gave the maintenance report. It was decided that the
landfill will be open on Saturdays from 10am – 12 noon and from
1-3pm and then Wednesday evenings if Darlo is available.
Discussion was held about the property that the city owns east
of Country View. Tom is going to see what can be done to get
rid of the thistles. Tom asked for approval to purchase a floor
jack, a safety harness and rope. He also asked them to approve
new boots, gloves and a jacket from the uniform budget. All was
approved. Discussion was held about getting a drinking fountain
for the city park, and to have the new one the city has
installed into the community center. Tom will check on what the
cost would be and report at the next council meeting.
Discussion was held on re-sealing the basketball court and
tennis court, and fixing the path through the City Park with
money in the general fund from budgeted park repairs from the
last few years and will get estimates for this work to be done.
Leonard McLaughlin has asked to also get an estimate to have the
path replaced with pavers. Once the council has received these
estimates, they will decide which option they will choose.
The
council discussed the Community Center and the work that is
needed in it. Plum Creek Cabinets will be replacing the windows
and the siding above the windows within the next few weeks.
This will be paid for from the grant money left over from the
1995 Small Cities Grant. The ceiling tiles also need to be
replaced in the community center along with some trim and the
kitchen counters need to be replaced. The city held off on
repairs the last few years and has some funds available in the
general fund that was budgeted for repairs. The city clerk will
order a small Bunn coffee pot for the community center. Tom
will check on prices for ceiling tiles. Further discussion on
what should be done in the community center will be continued at
the next meeting.
Discussion was held about the warranty work needed from the
street project. The warranty expires in December of 2008. Tom
will turn over the current list of repairs to Bolten & Menk to
have them scheduled and then will give them an updated list in
the fall with any additional items.
The
Police report was given by Mike Zeug. With both Mike and Travis
working during this transition period, there has been more
police visibility during the day. Discussion was held about
getting a cell phone for the police department so they are able
to return phone calls while on duty. Currently, the officers
are using their personal phones to do this. Motion by Leonard
McLaughlin to get a cell phone for the police department to use
while on duty, second by Todd Harrington. All voted in favor,
motion carried.
Wes
Bell gave the Water / Wastewater report. It appears that some
residents still have their sump pumps discharging into their
basements drains. The wastewater plant is treating 33% more
waste water than the usual amount. The waste plant alarm is not
working and needs to be replaced. The cost will be between
about $1200. The council approved this repair. Also, the sewer
pump will need to be replaced with a different type of pump.
The one that is being used causes sewer gas to be released into
the plant which will eventually damage the control panels. In
addition, the bottom six feet of piping in the water tower which
includes the shut off valve needs to be replaced. Wes will get
estimates for these two projects for the next council meeting.
Repairs were made to five fire hydrants that had bad seals.
The Walnut Grove Ambulance and Fire Departments each received a
$1750.00 donation from the Revere-Walnut Grove Farmers
Elevator. Motion by Todd Harrington, second by Xiong Yang to
thankfully accept these donations. All voted in favor, motion
carried.
Ordinance 175 regarding animal licensing and regulations was
reviewed. The ordinance repealed Ordinance 167 and was changed
to allow for lifetime licenses for cats and dogs. Motion by
Leonard McLaughlin, second by Todd Harrington to approve
Ordinance 175. All voted in favor, motion carried.
Motion by Leonard McLaughlin, second by Xiong Yang to approve a
resolution setting the fee for animal licensing to $20 for
either a cat or dog, or $10 for a cat or dog that has been
spayed or neutered.. All voted in favor, motion carried.
Motion by Xiong Yang, second by Todd Harrington for the Economic
Development Authority to join the Walnut Grove Community Club.
All voted in favor, motion carried.
Discussion was held about a residents concern about staffing at
Country View. Jason Swanson the manager of Country View had
already addressed this issue with Dave Hoyt from the EDA and has
hired and scheduled more staff to handle the new needs at
Country View.
Motion by Leonard McLaughlin, second by Xiong Yang to pay the
Casey Jones Trail Association $20 membership dues for 2008. All
voted in favor, motion carried.
Motion by Leonard McLaughlin, second by Todd Harrington to
approve the repair invoice to Plum Creek Cabinets for work done
at Country View in the amount of $820.90 and at the Walnut Grove
Clinic for $1205.75. All voted in favor, motion carried.
Building permits are now being called Land Use Permits. No
permit is required when a property owner is replacing a deck
with another of the same size. Permits are not needed for
portable sheds, but the property owner must follow the city set
back requirements when placing them in their yards.
2008 APPOINTMENTS:
Community Center and Cemetery -Todd Harrington/Leonard
McLaughlin
Liquor Store -David
Hemp/Todd Harrington
Police Department -Donald E.
Johnson/David Hemp
Streets and Parks -Leonard
McLaughlin/Greg Hansen
Water and Sewer -Greg
Hansen/Donald E. Johnson
Economic Development -Donald E.
Johnson/Todd Harrington
Acting Mayor - Donald E.
Johnson
Official Depository -Integrity
Bank Plus/MN Municipal Money Market
Official Newspaper
-Westbrook/Walnut Grove Sentinel/Tribune
City Attorney -Brian
White
City Engineer -Bolton &
Menk
Motion by Todd Harrington, second by Leonard McLaughlin to
approve the 2008 appointments. All voted in favor, motion
carried.
2008 Credit Card Usage Policy
Ambulance Service employees are authorized to use the ambulance
credit card for fuel for the ambulance and ambulance service
supplies only. Fire Department employees are authorized to use
the fire department credit card for fuel for fire department
vehicles and supplies for the fire department only. City
employees are authorized to use the city credit card for fuel
for city vehicles and supplies for the city only. Police
Department employees are authorized to use the police credit
card for fuel for the police car and police supplies only. The
City Clerk is authorized to use the city credit card for
necessary purchases and payments for the city as needed.
Motion by Todd Harrington, second by Leonard McLaughlin to
approve the Credit Card Usage Policy. All voted in favor,
motion carried.
Motion by Leonard McLaughlin, second by Xiong Yang, to approve
Claims #28921 through #29009. All voted in favor, motion
carried.
Motion by Todd Harrington, second by Xiong Yang, to approve the
Minutes of March 10. All voted in favor, motion carried.
Motion by Todd Harrington, second by Leonard McLaughlin to
adjourn. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Paula McGarvey
Clerk-Treasurer
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