April
28, 2008 page
CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 28, 2008, 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, April 28, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Debra Kravig, Arnie Carlson, Brian Blesi, and Paul Kuhlmann were present. 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 April 14, 2008 Regular Council Meeting, second by Paul Kuhlmann, voice vote, motion passed.
Arnie Carlson moved to approve the Minutes of the April 15, 2008 Annual Council Meeting with correction of Arnie Carlson being the “Vice” Council President, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Mike Bryant: met with MSA to go over preliminary plans for WWTP facility. The WWTP had good ratings for Biochemical Oxygen Demand and Total Suspended Solids last month.
General Fund $66,316.47, Library Building Fund $3,252.50, Park & Rec Fund $170.00, Water Fund $25,840.78, Sewer Fund $6,600.37
Brian Blesi moved to approve claims, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Brian Blesi moved to take Agenda item 7f, Consideration of Authorizing up to $2000 in Park & Rec Impact Fees for Fencing at Community Garden Plots, second by Paul Kuhlmann, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Authorizing up to $2,000 in Park & Recreation Impact Fees for Fencing at Community Garden Plots
Many people within the City do not have space for a garden, a community garden space would allow residents to work together and grow their own produce. The Polk County Fair Board has agreed to allow a one acre parcel on Simonson Road to be used for a Community Garden, there would be 30 garden plots marked off, there have been numerous deer sighted in area, a fence is need to protect the gardens. Fence would be erected as a community event, only need funds to cover material costs. A fee schedule is being discussed, considering a fee of $20 per year. Details for tilling and supplying of water are being worked on.
Brian Blesi moved to authorize use of Park & Rec Impact Fees not to exceed $2,000 for fencing for the Community Garden, second by Paul Kuhlmann, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider Bids for Maple Drive Lift Station Improvements and Report on City Water Well Updates, Wells # 7 and #9
Mike Bryant, Water and WWTP Operator: Maple Drive Lift Station was constructed in 1969 and had a new pump installed in 1999. It plugged up 8 times last year and it has plugged up 3 times so far this year, this lift station handles all the flow from the School and all development to the east. We have quotes from three sources for new and or rebuilt pumps, recommend that we go North Star Pumps’ quote for 2 rebuilt Flygt pumps as these are compatible with the pumps used at the treatment plant.
Brian Blesi moved to approve North Star Pumps’ quote for two rebuilt Flygt pumps for $14,029.00, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Nick Schultz, Mineral Services Plus and Water Operator Mike Bryant: are continuing with maintenance of Wells 7 and 9, have preformed test pumps, should be able to increase production by 168 gallons a minute. Ran wells in conjunction and only drew aquifer down 3 ft. #9 well casing has dome pits in casing. Well 7 has a shutter, should have new screen installed in future. Recommend that we do a test well by Booster Station, if successful could replace booster with a well that would pump water to a zone where it is needed, well house and water supply lines are already there. Will be getting quotes for installation of variable speed controls for pumps 7 and 9.
Consider a Resolution Designating Public Depository and Authorizing Withdrawal of City Funds – Adding Mayor to City Accounts
Brian Blesi moved to adopt Resolution #08-09, Designating Public Depository and Authorizing Withdrawal of City Funds, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Independent Contractor Agreement – Group Tour Opportunities
Brian Blesi moved to approve the Independent Contractor Agreement with the removal of the term “employee” from part 3, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider an Ordinance Amending Portions of the Accommodations Code
The City imposed a Room Tax in 2002, at that time it was under the management of the Chamber of Commerce, State Statutes have been amended, now must be under control of City, this Ordinance updates our code to reflect State Statutes.
Arnie Carlson moved to adopt Ordinance #01-08, Amending Portions of the Accommodations Code, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Options for Improvements to City Owned Lot on Washington St next to Franklin Square
Mayor Anderson: have received a lot of complaints on condition and weeds in City owned lot on south side of Franklin Square, a group of students will be cleaning up the lot on May 9th, another party is interested in planting flowers and pine trees in the lot, eventually could get a deck off main street constructed on the lot. We need to start enforcing City Ordinances for clean up and maintenance of properties.
Update on City Projects: Library, State Street and Louisiana Street
Sarah Adams: fund raising for the new Library continues, will be writing more grant applications and reaching out to residents this summer. Have received a challenge grant, if we can raise $50,000 this year and again next year the challenge grant will match those amounts.
Ed Emerson: Bids for State Street will be opened May 8th and could be considered at the May 12 Council Meeting. Work has resumed on Louisiana St, may take time to see if grass grows.
Arnie Carlson: need to look at trail between Overlook and NPS, a couple places seem to have sunk.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Debra Kravig: people are complaining about where cars and RVs are being parked and stored, and where sheds are being placed, places are looking cluttered, we may need to review our codes.
Darrell Anderson, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk