April 1, 2013 Council Meeting

  1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Reinhardt called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
  2. ROLL CALL – Sippel, Williamson, Bren, Hughes, Reinhardt.
  3. INTRODUCTIONS – Mayor Reinhardt introduced the council and staff to the public.  Administrator Tolsma, Clerk Lewin, Pam Myers, Tom Emer of Lord Fletchers.
  4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
  5. ADOPT AGENDA – Williamson makes a motion and Hughes seconds to adopt the agenda.  All votes ayes, motion carries.
  6. ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA – Hughes makes a motion and Williamson seconds to adopt the consent agenda.  All votes ayes, motion carries.
    1. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes from March 18, 2013
    2. City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes from March 25, 2013
  7. PUBLIC FORUM - None
  8. PRESENTATIONS & GUEST SPEAKERS
    1. Pam Myers – Westonka Historical Society – Myers said Westonka has a vague geographical boundary.  She said the community museum includes Spring Park.  Before 1950 the Mound high school was consolidated.  She said students came from as far as Medina, St. Boni, Victoria and Stubbs Bay.  Myers said they’ve been searching for a space and they’ve looked at many places.  She said the Mound City Hall is soon to be available and they are looking forward to moving into the facility.  Myers showed a video of historical Spring Park.  She said this will be a community history museum and she wants the council to think about how this can be a museum for everyone.  Myers said she’ll be back later in the year to speak about funding.  Reinhardt thanks Myers for their dedication and putting this together.
  9. PETITIONS, REQUESTS & APPLICATIONS
    1. Lord Fletcher’s Oktoberfest Application – Tolsma said Lord Fletcher's is proposing an Oktoberfest event and there is going to be a polka band in the early part and a more traditional band later on.  He said German food will be served.  Tolsma said the tent will be located at the west end of the parking lot and will hold about 400 people.  Tolsma said this was discussed and there were some questions on the letter received from Mound Fire.  Chief Pedersen commented that a tent inspection would need to be conducted and he doesn’t have any concerns beyond that.  He also noted the entrance to the tent will be through the wharf area.  Williamson wondered if this was a weekend event and Emer said no, they decided to just go with one day.  Williamson moves approval of the application and Hughes seconds.  Sippel wondered about the one entrance.  Emer said on the west deck they are going to make the existing entrance wider.  Emer said they are selling tickets so there will be a cut-off after 400 tickets.  All votes ayes, motion carries. 
    2. Port of Call Application – Reinhardt explained this is a typical item at this time of year.  Tolsma said its very routine and this is all they’ve received so far.  Sippel wondered about the approval of this.  Williamson said it’s more about liquor sales and hours of operation.  Sippel makes a motion to approve and Bren seconds.  All votes ayes, motion carries.
  10. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS – None.
  11. REPORTS OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEES

Mayor and Council – Reinhardt received a letter from the LMCC and they are looking to form a joint powers committee.  It’s being established because of the franchise negotiation.  Williamson said joint powers can appoint a non-elected resident of the community.  He said the suggestion is the joint powers agreement should be revisited, cleaned up and updated.  He said amending requires unanimous acceptance by the member cities.  So, instead of handling this with the present commission of 34 members, or handled at the board level  (might be too restrictive), the impulse is to have one of the LMCC commissioners designated to be on a joint powers review.  Williamson said he would like to serve.  Reinhardt makes a motion for Williamson to serve on the joint powers committee and Sippel seconds.  Reinhardt thanks Williamson for his willingness to serve.  All votes ayes, motion carries. 

 

Reinhardt said she and Bren attended the recent police commission meeting with all contract cities and she requests materials received be included the the next meeting.  Reinhardt said the good news was response times have been consistent since taking on the city of Mound and they have not suffered.  Tolsma said there is a printout in front of the council and it refers to pending legislation that is working its way through the legislature and Chief Farniok will have details if needed.  Williamson wonders if there is a committee summary of the bill or a staff summary.  He said the League of Cities is a good reference and, if there’s a different take, he would think the League of Cities would have staff follow up.  He said then they could determine if the bill is really going anywhere. 

 

Hughes asked about the follow up with pollution control regarding the recent utility break.  Tolsma said he did check and it’s typical with what the Orono employee said.  He said the size is not considered significant and it will go away more than likely. 

    1. City Administrator – nothing.
    2. City Engineer – nothing.
    3. City Attorney – nothing.
    4. Utility Superintendent
  1. UPCOMING MEETINGS & TRAINING
    1. April 10, 2013 – Administration Committee – 11:00 AM
    2. April 10, 2013 – Planning Commission – 7:00 PM
    3. April 10, 2013 – LMCD – 7:00 PM
    4. April 11, 2013 – Spring Park Police Commission – 10:00 AM
    5. April 15, 2013 – City Council – 7:30 PM
    6. April 16, 2013 – LMCC – 5:00 PM

Reinhardt reminds the public of the Open Book meeting on April 17th from 6-7:30 p.m.  She said this is for residents to discuss their property valuation with the county assessor.  It is recommended they phone ahead if they plan on attending.

  1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  2. NEW BUSINESS & COMMUNICATION

Bills & Payroll – Sippel asks about the salt.  He said he thought it was a temporary program and it would be evaluated as to how well it worked compared to salt/sand.  Reinhardt said that would be a good discussion to hear from Goman about.  Sippel said he’s conflicted.  He doesn’t sweep his garage much but wonders about the amount of salt going into the lake.  Hughes agrees with Sippel.  Reinhardt said because we purchase the salt independently, there is a cost savings.  Hughes wonders if there is a lot of salt left and Tolsma said the container will be removed in about two weeks.  He said there will be a credit given on returned salt.  Williamson wonders what type of salt it is.  He thinks a basic description of the strategy, what chemicals are being used, how much and pretreatment measures should be presented.  Hughes would like to see what other cities are using.  Bren makes a motion Sippel seconds to approve the claims.  All votes ayes, motion carries.  

 

  1. MISCELLANEOUS (Information Only)
    1. City Clerk Continuing Education Certificates – Hughes suggests something in the newsletter about this. 
    2. Historical Property Value Comparison Sheet – Reinhardt said SP growth in property values in ten years has been 1.5%.  She said there has been growth as high as 25%.

 

  1. ADJOURNMENT – Williamson makes a motion and Hughes seconds to adjourn at 8:26 p.m.  All votes ayes, motion carries.