CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 23, 2009, 7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL, 710 HWY 35 SOUTH
Mayor Darrell Anderson called a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council to order on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Brian Blesi, Paul Kuhlmann and Arnie Carlson were present. Debra Kravig was absent. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, the public and the press. All joined in the salute to the flag.
Brian Blesi moved to approve the Minutes of the March 9, 2009 Council Meeting, second by Paul Kuhlmann, voice vote, motion passed.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Paul Kuhlmann: Park & Rec met and discussed sign placement and clean up day.
Arnie Carlson: Tourism Committee met, logo is almost ready, will be presented to Council in April.
General Fund $31,235.17, Library $1,258.77, TIF District $440.60, Water $8,967.92, Sewer $6,246.82.
Arnie Carlson moved to approve, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Library Bids and Construction Schedule
Brent Norseman, Architect: bids came in on budget, request authorization to award bids to lowest bidders. Bids did do include cabinetry and furniture. Underground tank is being re-located.
Paul Kuhlmann moved to authorize Brent Norseman to execute contracts as identified by Gene Johnson, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.
Consider a Resolution Defining financial Strategy for funding Library Construction
Additional funds are needed to complete Library project; $250,000 of what is needed is TIF eligible, there is also $28,000 remaining from the Xcel River Enhancement Fund that could be used for the Gaylord Nelson component, Impact Fee collections for the Library could be used to make debt payments on borrowing of $215,000. We can delay purchase of solar arrays pending applying for stimulus funding on Energy and charge a maintenance fee to the Library to aid in maintaining the building and grounds, can also opt out of County Library System to save taxpayers money.
Paul Kuhlmann moved to adopt Resolution #09-03 Defining Financial Strategy for Construction of the City Library Project with the following amendments: Section 1 going from $150,000 to $250,000 as TIF eligible; section 3 changed to 40 year loan; section 4 remove “If such funds are not secured the City shall borrow said amount” and replace with “City shall join in partnership with Library to raise said funds”, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.
Consider Resolution Endorsing Office of Energy Independence 25 x 25 Strategy.
Endorsing Governor’s goal for energy independence could enhance grant applications, and by updating the Auditorium HAVC and putting solar on Library we would be on our way to meeting the 25% goal.
Brian Blesi moved to adopt Resolution #09-04, Supporting the Governor’s 25 x 25 Goals for Energy Independence, second by Paul Kuhlmann, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider City Stimulus Grant Strategy Including focus on energy Grant for Technical Assistance Related to Energy Efficiency Options at City Auditorium Theatre Building
Robert Claybough has been re-engaged to work on design phase for utilities at the Auditorium, including HAVC, boiler, and roof installation, and re-design of old Library space. Mr. Claybough will be making a presentation at a future Council meeting. The Stimulus Funds are for “shovel ready” projects, there is $50 million available for rural projects in this part of State. Need to submit new applications through existing grant programs within 30 days, then 30 days for review and award of grants and then have to be ready to proceed if we receive a grant.
Consider MSA Task Order: Day Road Reservoir
Purpose of Task Order is to address DNR concerns about roof and lining of Day Rd Reservoir.
Brian Blesi moved to approve Task Order with MSA, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.
Consider Fisher Roofing Request for Reimbursement of Snow Shoveling Costs at $105.00 per Hour and Totaling $14,000.00
Tim Fisher, Fisher Roofing: no line item in bid for snow removal, with late start on project and early winter snows, were not able to vacuum off rock on roof, had to shovel snow along with rocks, $4,000 to remove rocks, didn’t have snow removal people so had to use roofing personal, $105.00 was hourly wage on bid for roof laborers. Second issue is with water damage to Dr Uddin’s portion of building caused by freeze-thaw cycles. Ice dam on caused water damage, not rain. Confused on who is responsible for water entering building and clean up and repair costs. I was under impression City would share in that cost although sharing was not in writing. Have negotiated with Archers to reduce clean-up costs to $5,000, Karkula repair costs are $20,472. carpet work is another $335, and my cost for setting up temporary heating of Library is $7,330, confused about who pays Archer and Karkula. Hope that City will share in cost. Insurance carrier has been notified but hope not to use insurance. Will go with prevailing wage rate and review cost.
Brian Blesi: understand situation and no problem with hours of labor for snow removal, but should use prevailing wage rates for said labor. Don’t see how we can ask tax payers to take on additional cost of clean up and damages when insurance claim hasn’t been pursued.
Warren White: based upon prevailing wage rates, overhead, and 15% profit markup, rate should be $25.07 per hours.
Bill for snow removal needs to be re-submitted at new rate, an engineering review and warranty of workmanship are needed before paying of final bill for project.
Consider Motion on Washington Street Paving
Arnie Carlson moved to apply for a MISP Grant for paving the parking lanes on N Washington St for when Polk County paves the drive lanes, second by Paul Kuhlmann, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Liquor License Application (Operators Permit)
Brian Blesi moved to approve an Operators Permit for Gregory Kadrmas, second by Paul Kuhlmann, voice vote, motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Barbara Singerhouse of Dresser spoke in opposition to making/allowing any changes to Xcel Energy’s ordered route for putting a transmission line through St Croix Falls, moving line from Blanding Woods Rd to go through school grounds would be a breach of contract, City paid $162,395 in attorney fees from 1999 to 2002 to get this in place, it is the City’s job, not the Schools.
Meg Luhrs: there was 18 months of work by Task Force followed by mitigation before a route was approved in WI in 2002, only recently approved in MN. Intent was to protect viewshed; Taylors Falls should be included and any proposed changes should go back to Steering Committee.
Leif Bjornson: a lot of work went into agreement, if we make this change we could change entire agreement, also concerned about health issues of going down School property.
Jim Meyer: with credits and stimulus a lot of contractors are getting into geothermal, need to make sure contractors have some experience in HAVC and geothermal to be sure is installed correctly.
Darrell Anderson, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk