Minutes of the September 12, 2016 Good Thunder City Council Meeting

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1 The September 12, 2016, meeting of the Good Thunder city council was called to order, at 7:00 p.m., by Mayor Robert Anderson. The meeting convened in council chambers located at 130 Ewing Street, Good Thunder, Minnesota. Council members in attendance were: Kenton Giese, Sarah Karels, Tom Froehlich, Jim Prom. Staff in attendance were: Brian Beckel, City Maintenance; Phil Klammer, Fire Chief; Cheryl Barnard, Clerk-Treasurer. Also in attendance: Chad Ostermann, City Insurance Agent from M & M Insurance Company, Mapleton. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Mayor Anderson asked everyone present to remain standing for a Moment of Silence in remembrance of Kim Hernandez. Council member, Ken Giese, made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of Jeff Domras, City Engineer. Council member, Sarah Karels, seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Council member, Jim Prom, made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 1, 2016, council meeting; minutes of the budget workshop of August 29, 2016; minutes of the special meeting of September 6, Council member, Tom Froehlich, seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Chad Ostermann, M & M Insurance, presented information regarding the city s current insurance policy. It was explained that the liability rate for the city would be reduced as city expenditures had been reduced. The total premium is $26,079 compared to the previous year s rate of $28,186. Council member, Tom Froehlich, made a motion approving the city s LMCIT insurance policy as presented by city Insurance Agent, Chad Ostermann, M & M Insurance. Council member, Sarah Karels seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Council member, Ken Giese, made a motion to waive the statutory limits of liability and approve the purchase of the umbrella policy for the city s insurance. Council member, Sarah Karels seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Jeff Domras, City Engineer, Bolton and Menk, Inc. was present to discuss the previous Halladay Street project that had been engineered by Bolton and Menk and that had situations occur after the project had been completed. Domras discussed problems that had occurred on the water service at 514 Halladay Street which had been damaged by the contractor, and was to have been repaired by the contractor. However, the contractor is no longer in business. Bolton and Menk Inc. then became responsible for this repair. This damage caused the sanitary sewer to settle and repair on the street had to be made. Domras explained that the expense to fix this repair was costly to Bolton and Menk Inc. and the cost was more expensive than anticipated. Domras asked the council to consider paying the $3500 (Bolton and Menk s share) for Reiner Masonry, for sidewalk and curb & gutter. Bolton and Menk would then provide the city with a $3500 future engineering fee credit. 1

2 Mayor Robert Anderson, and council members Jim Prom and Ken Giese rejected the offer as it was felt that Bolton and Menk should be responsible for the entire repair cost as the individual representing Bolton and Menk, on the project, was irresponsible during the construction stage of the project. Discussion followed with Councilors Karels and Froehlich in agreement that the firm pay the entire cost. The council did state that they understood Mr. Domras s position but the $3500 should be reimbursed to the city for this expense. Mr. Domras thanked the council for their consideration of this request. Brian Beckel, City Maintenance reported on the following items: Side-mower for the tractor was discussed. Council felt that more information is needed. The Fire Hydrant on Ewing Street will be repaired by Minnesota Pipe and Equipment Co. The repairs will be made, with used parts, at a cost of $250-$500. Step bars on pickup are needed. This expense is $400-$500. The 4 tuff timbers, with stakes, needed for the Main Street Park boarder around the playground have not been ordered as they may go on sale. The cost may be $1335 with freight being $500- $600. Mulch would then need to be purchased. This project was previously approved for the park s playground surfaces. Mr. Beckel presented an update on the blacktopping that was completed and stated that he will be backfilling in certain areas. Tiling along Chapel Street, Maple River Elementary into the ballpark, was again discussed. Boening Brothers will be sending a proposal for the digging of the project that could be completed this fall. A bid for the pipe will also be obtained from Minnesota Pipe and Equipment Co. Councilor Froehlich questioned if installing a spillway along the west side of Chapel Street, along with intakes, should be considered. Mayor Anderson directed Mr. Beckel to obtain a cost for a spillway. Mr. Beckel informed the council that he had contacted Central Tank Coatings regarding the rusting of the water tower after just being painted this summer. The city was placed on a list for a representative to come and view this structure. Visu-Sewer had been contacted and it was stated that they will be in Good Thunder the first part of October to proceed with the city s project of sanitary sewer lining involved in the CSAH #1 Project. Zoning Permits were reviewed. One Zoning Permit application had been completed for the property being sold at 601 Sherman St. The individual interested in purchasing the property has a 12 x 24 shed that he would like to move onto this property. It was felt that this would be an allowable permit. Zoning Permit GT , 621 Sherman Street. Ms. Barnard informed the council that a court order had been issued dated July 29, 2016, stating that that the owner shall have 30 days from the date of the order to abate the conditions of Resolution No If not completed by this date, the city may cause the buildings to be repaired, razed, removed, or corrected. The costs of the repairs, razing, correction or removal may be placed as a lien upon the real estate upon which the building is located. (Attorney fees will also be placed as a special assessment against this property.) Council member, Jim Prom, questioned the property line regarding this residence as it has been stated in the past that the current garage on this property is located on the neighbor s property. It was felt that a property line survey should be completed by the owner of 621 Sherman Street. The council decided not to act on this permit. Council will review a completed Zoning Permit if he obtains legal property line information at the October council meeting. 2

3 Council member, Jim Prom, made a motion approving the following Zoning Permits: GT-13-16, 532 Main Street, replace back porch and steps GT-14-16, 510 Hiller Dr., repair & replace blacktop driveway. Council member, Sarah Karels, seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Fire Chief, Phil Klammer, stated that the Fire Department responded to five (5) calls for the month of August Four (4) medical calls, one (1) injury call. The Annual Pork Feed held in Rapidan hosted over 500 people. Fire Chief Klammer expressed the department s gratitude to individuals attending this event. In October, which is also fire prevention month, the Fire Department will hold a pancake breakfast. Fire Chief Klammer informed the council that the Fire Department had accepted the resignation of Jake Thissen from the department. Klammer reported that he had attended Lyra and Rapidan township meeting s in which he informed them of the department s plans to purchase a pumper vehicle. Both townships were in agreement of this vehicle purchase. Clerk-Treasurer, Cheryl Barnard, presented the proposed 2017 budget which had been reviewed at the August 29 th workshop meeting. The budget being proposed reflects a 3.46% increase. Included in this budget is a 1.75% Tri-City Police Department increase and a 2% wage increase for the Clerk- Treasurer and Water/Wastewater Operator. City Maintenance will receive a 50 an hour increase in September and a 50 per hour increase in January Ms. Barnard explained that because of the Fire Department is proposing the purchase of a new vehicle, Future Improvements (under Fire) was increased from $5000 to $18,000. Council member, Tom Froehlich, questioned Medical Services under the Fire Department. It was decided that $4,000 should be removed from this line item and placed in Machinery and Equipment. Discussion followed. It was decided that $4,000 be reduced from the budget setting the tax levy at $301,040. The 2006 $360,000 Street and Utility Project bonded indebtedness for 2017 is to be set at $7673. The retirement date for this bond is Ms. Barnard informed the council that a water rate increase should be considered as this rate has not been adjusted in several years. Council member, Ken Giese, approved Resolution No , RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE 2017 PROPOSED TAX LEVY AND Resolution No , RESOLUTION CERTIFYING 2017 PROPOSED SPECIAL LEVY. Council member, Jim Prom, seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk-Treasurer Barnard also stated that December 5, 2016, at 7 p.m. will be the TNT meeting date for the final adoption of the 2017 budget. Council member, Tom Froehlich, made a motion that November 14 th be the date for the November council meeting and the meeting date at which the council will canvass the municipal election results as suggest by Clerk-Treasurer Barnard. Council member, Ken Giese, seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Barnard presented Resolution No This resolution certifies delinquent utility accounts for tax levy collection through Blue Earth County. Whenever property is sold, a realtor, or someone representing the purchaser of the property, usually contacts the city and Blue Earth County seeking information regarding delinquent utilities or special assessments on the property being sold. 3

4 Discussion followed regarding this procedure. It was explained that cities have the authority to follow this procedure in recovering unpaid utilities. Council member, Tom Froehlich made a motion approving Resolution No , RESOLUTION TO CERTIFY DELINQUENT UTILITY ACCOUNTS FOR TAX LEVY COLLECTION. Council member, Ken Giese, seconded the motion. Those voting in favor: Ken Giese, Sarah Karels, Tom Froehlich, Robert Anderson. Those abstaining from the vote: Jim Prom. Motion carried. Councilor Jim Prom made a motion approving the bills as presented and distributed. Councilor Ken Giese, seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk-Treasurer Barnard was directed to bill Blue Earth County one-third of the cost, of the Reiner Masonry Inc., for the sidewalk and curb replacement on Front Street. Darin and Jenny Frank are to be billed for the cost of the drain that they requested be installed in the sidewalk by Thunder Bar on Front Street. Their share of the sidewalk cost is to be paid for by the Sidewalk Account. Councilor Prom informed the council that the cost of a half door for the Clerk-Treasurer s office is $ This cost includes staining and installation fees. Information was also presented for new signs to be placed at Thunder Valley Park. Councilor Giese stated that he is looking for assistance in preparing information pamphlets for the archery range. In the future he would like to host 3-D shooting events. Council member, Ken Giese made a motion to approve up to $550 for the purchase of two new signs for Thunder Valley Park. Council member, Sarah Karels seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Council member, Tom Froehlich, presented information from LJP Waste and Recycling. All recycling can be placed in the new recycling containers provided for each residence. Plastic bottles are not be flattened, caps can be left on the bottle. Plastic wrap and film cannot be recycled as it wraps around the machinery. Aerosol cans cannot be recycled as the propellant is released during the recycling process exposing workers. Dried out empty paint cans are acceptable. Information can be found on the Blue Earth County Household Hazardous Waste, or the City of Good Thunder s website. Council member, Sarah Karels, made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m. Council member, Ken Giese, seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted by, Cheryl A. Barnard, Clerk-Treasurer 4

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