|
Walnut Grove, MN
December 8, 2008
The City Council met in regular session on the 8th day of
December at 7:00 PM in the Council Room.
Present: Greg Hansen, Donald E. Johnson, Todd Harrington,
Leonard McLaughlin and Xiong Yang.
Also Present: Tom Hansen, Travis Schaar, Deb Johnson, Wes Bell,
Jeff Harnack, and Andy Foster
Mayor Hansen presided at the meeting.
The Bar & Grill report was given by Deb Johnson. Sales are down
compared to last year. Deb reported that most liquor
establishments are having the same results due to the economy.
The hot water heater needs to be replaced. The Bar & Grill will
be having a New Years Eve Party this year with Karaoke and
snacks.
A letter was received from Country View stating that Tealwood
Management Company will be paying for the Christmas Meal for the
Country View employees at the Walnut Grove Bar & Grill this
year.
Tom
Hansen gave the maintenance report & Wes Bell gave the
Water/Wastewater Report. Hydro Tech Services has completed the
install of the new sludge pump for the treatment plant.
$4500.00 of the cost of the pump and install will be paid for
from the Small Cities fund balance and the remaining $13,378.00
will be paid from the sewer fund.
Chief Schaar gave the police report. Schaar reported that the
new police car would be available to be picked up Wednesday,
Dec. 10 and he will then take it to get the graphics put on.
The equipment will be installed the week of December 15. The
City Clerk will transfer $17122.85 from the 4M City of Walnut
Grove Vehicle Replacement Fund to use towards the purchase of
the new Police Car. The remaining funds will come from the
General Fund out of the $20,000 budgeted for a new Sweeper.
Disbursements of $22,900.00 to Lockwood Motors, $4599.73 to R &
D Safety for the Equipment and installation, $700.00 for the
Graphics and $37.00 for registration will be made for the car
for a total of $28,236.73. The remaining $8886.12 of the
$20,000 will then be transferred back up to the 4M Fund and put
into a City Vehicle and Equipment Replacement Fund to be used
for a sweeper and or equipment replacement when needed.
Chief Schaar requested approval for a vehicle unlock system.
The Council approved the purchase of this.
Schaar asked the council to approve the membership dues of $130
for the MN Chiefs of Police Association. Motion by Leonard
McLaughlin, second by Xiong Yang to approve the membership dues
to the MN Chiefs of Police Association. All voted in favor,
motion carried. Chief Schaar was able to get two refurbished
lap top computers donated by this association to be used for the
City of Walnut Grove Police Dept.
Chief Schaar presented information about offering a Driver
Diversion Program option for driving violations. This Program
will be taught by Ron Thomton, a Continued Education Instructor
until Chief Schaar is able to put together a program for Walnut
Grove. Motion by Donald E. Johnson, second by Todd Harrington
to approve this program on a trial basis. All voted in favor,
motion carried. The first class will be offered January 15,
2008 at the Walnut Grove Community Center.
Motion by Donald E. Johnson, second by Xiong Yang to approve the
following Police Policies were:
Directives for the Walnut Grove Police Department
Use of Force & Deadly Force
Police Pursuits
Allegations of Misconduct
Professional Conduct of Peace Officers
Impartial Policing
Lighting Exemption of Law Enforcement Vehicles
Criminal Conduct on School Buses Policy
Predatory Offender Registration & Community
Notification
Response to Reports of Missing and Endangered
Children
Domestic Abuse Arrests
All
voted in favor, motion carried.
A
letter was received asking for Satisfaction of Lien for the
Beens Estate to be approved. Motion by Donald E. Johnson, second
by Todd Harrington to approve the Satisfaction of Lien Letter.
All voted in favor, motion carried.
An
estimate to replace the base molding and install new outside
corners on the bump outs in the Community Center was given by
Plum Creek Cabinets for $697.00. The council will discuss this
further at a later meeting.
Country View has received a grant from Rural Development for the
Home Free Alarm System. Motion by Leonard McLaughlin, second by
Xiong Yang to approve a letter of Intent to Meet Conditions to
receive this grant. Greg Hansen, Leonard McLaughlin, Xiong Yang
voted in favor, Donald E. Johnson and Todd Harrington
abstained. Motion carried.
The
2009 Wages, Rates and Fee Schedule was reviewed. Employee wages
were discussed. Full time employees and Bar & Grill employees
will receive a 3% - 4% increase following the wage chart put
into place in 2008. The community center daily cleaning will
now be done by the full time employees as time allows. The city
clerk will schedule cleaning at the community center for weekend
events as needed at a rate of $15 per hour. Bar & Grill
cleaning will remain at the rate of $11.85 per hour.
The
Ambulance Director and Asst. Director will receive $900 per year
to be split between them for their services. The Ambulance
Director and Ambulance Service Members will determine the amount
that each will receive. The council approved the “On Call” pay
for the ambulance service of $1 per hour for a 24 hour shift
with two people on call from Friday at 6 PM to Sunday at 6 PM.
The Fire Chief and Asst. Chief will receive $900 per year to be
split between them for their services. The Fire Chief and the
Department will determine the amount that each will receive.
The
Council approved an increase for the Full time employee TASC
(medical reimbursement plan) from $300 per month to $350 per
month. There was no increase in TASC in 2007 even though
insurance premiums have continued to increase each year.
The
Personnel Policy was reviewed. The council approved increasing
the sick days to accrue at the rate of 1 day per month with a
maximum accumulation of 20. These sick days may be paid out at
25% upon leaving employment in good standing and with proper
notice. The council approved adding catastrophic sick days to
be accrued at a rate of 2 days per month with a maximum of 60
days accumulated. These sick days may be used only after the
regular sick days have all been used and only with a physicians
note and will not be paid out when employment ends.
Utility Rates were reviewed. The contract rate with People
Service has increased from $6231 per month in January of 2006 to
$7560 in January of 2009. The City lowered their rates slightly
in 2007 and did not change them in 2008. The contract rate
increase is partially due to the fact that the Treatment Plant
became a Class B facility in May of 2008 which requires more
testing to be done each year and requires a higher level
operator. The Council discussed the options and determined an
increase of utility rates is necessary. There will be an
increase of $2 for water and $4 for sewer in the base rates each
month beginning in January of 2009. There will also be and
increase from $6.25 to $6.50 per 1000 gallons for tank water.
These rates will be re-evaluated in June, 2009.
Motion by Xiong Yang, second by Leonard McLaughlin to approve
the 2009 Wages, Rates & Fee Schedule for the City of Walnut
Grove, and the 2009 Personnel Policy with the approved changes.
All voted in favor, motion carried.
The
following appointments were made by Mayor Hansen and approved by
the council:
2009 APPOINTMENTS
Community Center and Cemetery - Jeff
Harnack/Leonard McLaughlin
Liquor
Store - Xiong
Yang/Greg Hansen
Police Department
- Xiong Yang / Jeff Harnack
Streets and Parks - Leonard McLaughlin/ Todd Harrington
Water and Sewer
- Todd Harrington / Greg Hansen
Economic Development
- Xiong Yang/Todd Harrington
Acting Mayor -
Todd Harrington
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 Donald E. Johnson, second by Todd Harrington to
approve Claims #29807 through #29897 and the claim for
$12,678.00 for the sewer pump, $22,900.00 to Lockwood Motors,
and $4599.73 to R & D Safety. All voted in favor, motion
carried.
Motion by Leonard McLaughlin, second by Donald E. Johnson to
approve the Minutes for the November 10, 2008 regular meeting.
All voted in favor, motion carried
On behalf of the Walnut Grove City Council and the residents of
Walnut Grove, Mayor Hansen would like to Thank Councilman Donald
E. Johnson for his years of service.
Motion by Donald E. Johnson, second by Todd Harrington to
adjourn. All voted in favor, motion carried.
Paula McGarvey
Clerk-Treasurer
|
