AKELEY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 13, 2007
7:00 PM CITY HALL
JUNE AGENDA
1. Call the Meeting to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approve Consent Agenda of…
a)
Minutes
b)
Treasurers Report
c)
Bills for Payment
4. Sue Ostlund – Approve Audit
5. Thomas Haynes – Ditch Water Issues
6. Bob Winner – Liquor Store Patio, Paul
Bunyan Day’s Sunday, ATM Cash
7. Janice Bayman – Firearms in Town
8. Eric Klein – Police Report
9. Appoint Council Member to Fireboard
10. Approve 2007 Assessment Payment
11. Review Bids for Pleasant & 2nd
Street Repair
12. Culverts on 2nd Street
13. Discussion of Suggestions to Eliminate
Water Issues Between City Hall & Blue Ox Market
14. Discussion on Possibility of Moving
Recycling Shed
15 Discussion on Milfoil & Pond Weed
16. Approve Updates to Personnel Policy #’s 7,
18, 19 & 20
17. Approve Tony Poncelet’s Resignation
18. Old Business
19. New Business
20.
Adjourn
AKELEY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 13, 2007
7:00 PM CITY HALL
The Akeley City Council met in a regular meeting
Wednesday June 13, 2007 at 7:00 pm. Mayor Tom Moore called the
meeting to order. Council members present were: Tom Moore, Brian
Hitchcock, Frank Lamb, and Eric Sjolin. Cliff Johnson was absent.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the Council and attending
audience.
Motion by Frank Lamb seconded by Brian Hitchcock and
carried to approve the consent agenda with the addition of Roger
McCollough at 4.5.
Sue Ostlund of Ostlund Accounting presented the 2006
audit to the Council. The following items were discussed:
-
Bookkeeping/Software – The City continued to use QuickBooks
software and CTAS throughout most of the year which cost the
City considerable time and money. The City is now fully
utilizing the CTAS program.
-
Budgets – It has been strongly suggested that the City not
consider profits from the park fund or liquor fund to offset the
levy which would slowly increase the cash balance to an
appropriate level. The budget should be continually monitored
to assure overspending does not occur. The City’s debt is high
compared to City revenues so it is suggested that the City avoid
obtaining more debt and instead develop a capital outlay
forecast.
-
Sewer
and Water Fees – The Council needs to assess the timeframe and
cost of any major capital improvements. Once complete, the
Council should project at current rates, how much money will be
available at the time of the renewal or replacement and
determine if the current water/sewer rates are adequate.
-
Segregation of Duties – Segregation of duties should provide the
City reasonable assurance that errors or fraud would be detected
in the normal course of business. It is recommended that the
City Council review the financial reports monthly and that the
office staff review the receipt and disbursement ledgers monthly
and correct any errors found.
-
Pledging Agreements – At December 31, 2006 there was a shortfall
in the pledges assigned to the City. It is suggested that the
Council direct the Clerk to request the bank increase the amount
of pledges to the City.
-
Sales
Tax – Sales tax on park admissions and commercial water sales
are being collected.
-
Liquor
Store – The Liquor Store did very well last year and should
continue doing what it has been because it has been profitable.
Roger McCollough stated that he had received a water
bill for a residence in which the meter had not been hooked up until
May so will be charged for water and sewer starting in May.
Thomas Haynes expressed his concerns with water on
his property and believes there are drainage issues that need to be
resolved. The Council agrees that there are a number of streets in
town with the same problem and will need to be addressed.
Bob Winner would like to see the City consider adding
a patio to the Liquor Store due to the smoking ban which begins in
October.
Some discussion was held as to whether or not the
Liquor Store should be open on the Sunday of Paul Bunyan Days. No
action was taken.
Bob Winner would like to see the ATM cash increased
at the Liquor Store which would help prevent NSF checks.
Motion by Frank Lamb seconded by Brian Hitchcock and
carried to approve to increase the ATM cash up to $2,500.00.
Bob Winner requested a 50 cent raise for a part time
Liquor Store employee who has been employed there for the past two
years.
Motion by Frank Lamb seconded by Eric Sjolin and
carried to approve to give Katie Roth a 50 cents an hour raise
starting on the next new pay period.
Bob Winner asked what would need to be done to allow
a minor if accompanied by their parent, into the Liquor Store to eat
since the Liquor Store now serves food. Fifty percent of the Liquor
Store sales do not come from the sale of food so minors are not
permitted into the Liquor Store.
Janice Bayman read a letter she had composed
regarding her concerns with the firearms ordinance. Eric Klein
presented a proposal of changes made to the ordinance which would
prevent discharging of firearms and dangerous weapons within the
city limits. Discussion also took place regarding a possible permit
which could be obtained at City Hall allowing the property owner to
dispose of varmints with birdshot.
Motion by Frank Lamb seconded by Brian Hitchcock and
carried to approve to make the proposed changes in section 130.02 of
the ordinance with the addition of a $5.00 permit, good for one
year, which could be obtained at City Hall allowing the owner to
dispose of varmints on his property.
Police Report - Chief
Eric Klein
·
The issue concerning firearms
being used in the city limits was previously discussed.
·
An informal traffic survey with
Mike Kamnikar from MN Dot took place on Highways 34 and 64 and the
results concluded were that new signs, an expanded speed zone and an
official survey are needed.
·
A parade permit has been
obtained for Paul Bunyan Days.
·
Eric requested that the height
for grass, weeds, etc in City Ordinance #92.38 be changed to a lower
height.
Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Tom Moore and
carried to approve to change the length of grass permitted in City
Ordinance #92.38 from “excess of 12 inches in height” to “excess of
8 inches in height”.
·
Hubbard County Solid Waste paid
the entire bill accrued during Akeley Clean Up Days and Eric will
send them a letter of thanks on behalf of the City.
·
Eric requested permission from
the Council to hire more part time officers since Kerri Johnson
resigned and one other officer may be retiring soon.
Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Frank Lamb and
carried to approve resolution 6-2007 to hire new part time police
officers.
·
The Police Reserves have taken
handcuff and baton training and will have mace training tomorrow.
Eric has spoken with the LMC and our insurance agent about the
Reserves using the squad car as well as 4-wheelers during Paul
Bunyan Days as a mode of transportation.
·
Eric has asked that the Council
read and approve the Akeley Police Policy Manual.
Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Eric Sjolin and
carried to table approving the Akeley Police Policy Manual until
next month so the Council can review it.
Bruce Blaeser expressed his concern with loose and
barking dogs in town.
Mayor Tom Moore appointed Frank Lamb to replace Brian
Hitchcock on the Fire Board and Cliff Johnson to replace Frank Lamb
as commissioner for the Liquor Store.
Motion by Tom Moore seconded by Eric Sjolin and
carried to approve to pay David Johnson $4,359.00 for 2007
assessments based on original quote per parcel.
Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Tom Moore and
carried to approve to accept the bid from Howard’s Driveway Inc. for
$1,338.00 to repair the intersection of Pleasant Avenue and 2nd
Street and pay for it out of the Water Fund.
Discussion was held regarding the culverts on 2nd
Street which need to be replaced or dug out. Future plans will have
to be made for street improvements.
Discussion took place regarding the water issues
between City Hall and the Blue Ox Market and various suggestions
were offered.
Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Tom Moore and
carried to approve to table any work done at this time to eliminate
the water issue until more information can be obtained to make sure
the best decision is made.
Some complaints have been made regarding the location
of the recycling shed. Discussion was held regarding possible
locations to which it could be moved.
Motion by Frank Lamb seconded by Tom Moore and
carried to approve that if the recycling shed is moved, that it be
moved to a central location in town which is not visible to traffic
on Highway 34.
Tom Moore informed everyone of the Milfoil and Pond
Weed Training Session he will be attending on Friday, June 15th
at 9:30 AM at the Nevis Catholic Church and encouraged others who
live along or use lakes to attend.
Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Eric Sjolin and
carried to approve to change “Deputy Clerk” to “Clerk/Treasurer” on
Personnel Policy #7 of the Employee Handbook.
Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Tom Moore and
carried to approve to change “1 hour increments” to “1/4 hour
increments” on Personnel Policy #’s 18, 19 and 20 of the Employee
Handbook.
Motion by Brian Hitchcock seconded by Eric Sjolin and
carried to approve to accept Tony Poncelet’s resignation effective
July 6, 2007 due to his retirement.
Old Business
Brian Hitchcock asked about the ordinance that
prevents signs from being placed along the Scenic Byway. The
Council is still unclear as to why this type of ordinance is needed
and no action was taken.
Eric Sjolin stated that he didn’t believe that more
signs on Crow Wing Lake Drive would slow people down but visibility
of the Reserves there may help.
New Business
Eric Klein stated the crosswalks near the bank and
the Liquor Store will be painted before Paul Bunyan Days.
Brian Hitchcock expressed his concern with the Paul
Bunyan Statue since the paint on his legs is fading and he believes
it was repainted about three years ago. The City will contact Dean
Krotzer to check on the quality of the paint used since it was
believed that repainting would not be required for approximately ten
years.
Eric Sjolin had received an inquiry about whether or
not the City would be interested in having a beach supervisor this
year. It was suggested that the Reserves help patrol the area at
minimum wage for about 4 or 5 hours a day which would help protect
any damage to City property as well as provide some supervision to
those using the beach.
Discussion was held regarding a diving dock being
built for the beach to provide swimmers more entertainment while
using the City beach.
Frank Lamb shared a letter from Duane Johnson asking
for support to designate Highway 34 as “Kirby Pucket Memorial
Highway” since his jersey number was 34.
Motion by Frank Lamb seconded by Brian Hitchcock and
carried to approve to write a letter to Duane Johnson in support to
designate Highway 34 as “Kirby Pucket Memorial Highway” on behalf of
the City of Akeley.
Motion by Eric Sjolin seconded by Tom Moore and
carried to adjourn.
Denise Rittgers
Clerk
Treasure
City of Akeley
Wendy Klein
Deputy Clerk
City of Akeley
