REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTPBER 2, 2007
7:00 P.M.
ROYALTON CITY CENTER
Mayor Lauer called the Regular City Council meeting to order. The pledge of allegiance was said. On roll call members present were: Lauer, Libke, Gutzkow, Verley and Cekalla.
People present: Tim Majaski, Planning and Zoning; Adam Gunderson, Chief of Police; Terry Lehrke, Morrison County Record; Sandra Lee; Julie Javens, Hands of Hope; Martin Wagner; and Carol Madsen, Royalton City Clerk.
Gutzkow made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular City Council meeting, September 18, 2007 with one typo correction, 2nd by Cekalla. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Cekalla made a motion to approve the minutes of the Special City Council meeting, September 25, 2007, 2nd by Verley. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Gutzkow added one discussion item, Verley added three discussion items, Libke added three discussion items and Lauer added one discussion item to the agenda.
No public forum.
Julie Javens, Hands of Hope, presented a declaration to the City proclaiming October as domestic violence awareness month. Libke made a motion to proclaim October 2007 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2nd by Verley. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Betty Brezinka, 221 N Birch Street, made a complaint about the feral cats, and the mosquito spraying. The Feral cats are becoming a huge nuisance and the chemicals used for the mosquito spraying are hazardous. Verley asked Ms. Brezinka to provide the City with information on this.
Mayor Lauer explained to Ms. Brezinka that there are more people in favor of the mosquito spraying than are not in favor of it.
Mayor Lauer reviewed the previous and current rates of the Snow Removal Agreement with Morrison Councy. Verley made a motion to enter into the 2007-2008 Season Snow Removal Agreement with Morrison County, 2nd by Cekalla. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried
Mayor Lauer recessed the Regular City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. and called to order the Public Hearing to consider the re-zoning of the Industrial Park property from Agricultural to Light Industrial.
Mayor Lauer opened up the discussion to the people. Martin Wagner asked what the advantage is to rezone the Industrial Park. Mayor Lauer explained if any business comes in it will need to be zoned light industrial. Wagner felt the City should be looking at a bigger picture. Mayor Lauer explained we need to have businesses in the Industrial Park and that is the purpose of the rezoning. Tim Majaski, Planning Commission Chairman, reported that the Planning Commission recommends the re-zoning from Agricultural to Light Industrial.
Libke made a motion to adjourn the public hearing at 7:38 p.m., 2nd by Verley. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Gutzkow made a motion to re-zone the Industrial Park on South Birch Street from Agricultural to Light Industrial, 2nd by Libke. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
The issue of naming the Industrial Park on South Birch Street was discussed. After a short discussion the Council decided to do more research on it.
Mayor Lauer reviewed the Morrison County Attorney Agreement for prosecution services. The two options are $500.00 pre month or 1/3 of all fines that are collected. After looking at the figures from 2007, it would be less costly for the City to pay the 1/3 of fines. After more discussion
Mayor Lauer tabled the agreement until the next City Council meeting and she will get clarification from the Morrison County Attorney, Brian Mittendorf, on how the 1/3 of all fines is actually figured.
Tim Majaski, Planning Commission Chairman, reminded the City Council that the Planning & Zoning will be meeting on 10-3-07 to go over the zoning ordinance.
Gutzkow reported that the City had received the $300 state refund for the RPD vest and the Police Chief, Adam Gunderson, will apply for any federal grants when available. The RPD will also be upgrading their cell phones. Police Chief Gunderson suggests if the City is going to purchase a Police Car it should be ordered in the near future because it takes up to six months to get it. Adam Gunderson, Police Chief, reported on reasons to purchase a new car and reasons to keep the current car.
Verley asked if the Fire Department had attempted to wash the water tower yet. Libke reported he had spoken with them and they plan on doing it on a training night but haven’t done it yet.
Verley reported the Bobcat is in at Arnold’s Equipment and they will be delivering it Wednesday.
Verley also reported that he had e-mailed the Small Cities Programs Director about the infrastructure grant that he was looking into. He heard back from the director, Reed Erickson, with information that the grant that would best fit the needs of the City is the Greater MN Development Infrastructure Program. It is only funded on even years and in the spring of 2008 they expect additional funding. Verley suggested the Council talk to our senators at the capital.
Libke reported that the US EPA has a new water website for small cities. He will continue to research the site.
Libke also reported that there are three days coming up that the office staff would like to either close the office or be open for only a half day. They are Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve day and Dec. 31, New Years Eve day. The clerk will report back with what other cities are doing.
Lauer reported that Carol Anderson, Morrison County Community Development, had contacted her to let the City know that the USDA re-lending program has been funded.
Lauer reminded the Council that the City office will be closed on Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, in observance of Columbus Day.
Verley made a motion to spend up to $20 for registration for the public works employees to attend the confined space training at Oronoco, MN on Oct. 17, 2007, 2nd by Libke. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Cekalla inquired about using a Fiber glass pipe instead of copper for the water service lines. Majaski will contact Nancy Scott, the Building Inspector, and ask her about it.
Cekalla Made a motion to permit Scott Kalis owner of “The Grocery Store” at 216 E Centre Street, to make the store handicap accessible by putting an 8’ wide apron on the sidewalk in front of the store on E Centre Street, 2nd by Verley. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Cekalla made a motion to approve the bills, voucher no.’s 27752 – 27777, in the amount of $12,474.15, 2nd by Gutzkow. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried
Libke made a motion to adjourn at 9:00 p.m., 2nd by Gutzkow. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
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Clerk/Treasurer