REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
March 5, 2008
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, Verley, Gutzkow, and Cekalla.
People present: Tim Majaski, Planning and Zoning; Adam Gunderson, Chief of Police; Terry Lehrke, Morrison County Record; Karen Dubbin, Rescue Department; Sally and Scott Kloss, Alzheimer’s Coordinator; Bruce Batzer; Steve Cimenski; Tony Cimenski; and Carol Madsen, Royalton City Clerk.
Verley made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular City Council meeting on February 19, 2008, 2nd by Gutzkow. Put to a vote with all members voting aye.
Libke made a motion to approve the minutes of the Special City Council meeting on February 26, 2008, 2nd by Gutzkow. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Libke added one discussion item, Gutzkow added one action and one discussion item and Lauer added one action item to the agenda.
No public forum.
Karen Dubbin, Royalton Rescue Department, reported they had completed their refresher training and requested approval of a new member, Jake Klosowski. Verley made a motion to approve Jake Klosowski as a member of the Royalton Rescue Department, 2nd by Libke. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Verley made a motion to approve $346.00 for training for the Rescue Dept. for Jake Klosowski, 2nd by Libke. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Department Reports were given.
Mayor Lauer reported a house was just recently built at 926 Pine Court and in order to acquire a Certificate of Occupancy, the owners need to put in a driveway and lawn or put $5,000.00 in escrow with the City to insure it will be done when weather permits. The City received a letter from Tri-County Abstract stating that they are holding the Escrow. Verley made a motion to accept this arrangement with Tri-County Abstract for 926 Pine Court, 2nd by Cekalla. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Sally Kloss, Alzheimer’s Coordinator, reported that the Alzheimer’s Motorcycle Ride will be held June 21, 2008 at the 10 Spot Bar & Grill. She requested approval to close off 1st Street N. from N. Birch Street to Hwy 10 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and to close off N. Birch Street from E. Centre Street to 2nd Street N. from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. to accommodate the stunt riders. She asked the City if they could help with problem vehicles on N Birch Street that will not move for the stunt riders. Police Chief, Adam Gunderson, stated he would have the street vacated for them. They also asked if it was alright to use the City Center parking lot again this year. Libke made a motion to close 1st Street N. from N. Birch Street to Hwy 10 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and to close off N. Birch Street from E. Centre Street to 2nd Street N. from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the Alzheimer’s Motorcycle ride on June 21, 2008, 2nd by Verley. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Bruce Batzer stated he did not have any objection to the vacation of Bradford Street. Cekalla made a motion to vacate the east half of Bradford Street, 2nd by Verley. It was decided, if a survey is needed, the City will pay for it. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Verley made a motion to approve the Bellevue Township Fire Contract for 2008 and 2009, 2nd by Gutzkow. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Libke made a motion to approve the Langola Township Fire Contract for 2008, 2nd by Verley. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Tim Majaski, Planning Commission Chairman, reported the City of St. Clair, comparable to the size of Royalton, has had a Cat & Dog ordinance for 20 years. The Ordinance was reviewed and after a lengthy discussion the Council requested the Planning Commission write up a separate cat ordinance from the dog ordinance.
Tim Majaski reported on the proposed Rental Housing Inspection Ordinance. He stated that the City cannot recover any court fees if the City takes a property owner to court. The City is responsible for the costs since they initiate it. City Attorney, Tom Wenner, said there is a loop hole for Rental housing control, and he would look into that.
It was decided to do an initial Inspection of every rental unit and if a complaint is received after that then the City would inspect again or if the City Inspector deems necessary. An inspection fee still needs to be set.
Council Member Libke reported on a book he felt could be a useful tool for the City. It’s a book by the American Water Works Assoc., Fundamentals of Water Utility Capital Financing. Libke stated he is a member and can purchase the book at a discounted price of $60.00. Verley made a motion to have Libke purchase the Fundamental of Water Utility Capital Financing book at a cost of $60.00 and the City will reimburse him, 2nd by Cekalla. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Gutzkow reported she had spoke with Glen Erickson, Morrison County Assessor, about the March 18, 2008 board of equalization meeting. Since it falls on a City Council meeting night Mr. Erickson will put a packet of the equalization meeting together and bring it to a City Council meeting for the Council.
Gutzkow reported she held the performance review for Adam Gunderson, Chief of Police. She recommends he move from step 2 to step 3 on the pay scale. Cekalla made a motion to approve Adam Gunderson, Police Chief, move from step 2 to step3 on the pay scale per recommendation of his supervisor, Council Member Gutzkow, 2nd by Verley. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carries.
Cekalla made a motion to acknowledge with no waiting period the gambling application from the Royalton PTO for a raffle, 2nd by Libke. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Cekalla made a motion to approve all bills, voucher no’s 28062 - 28088 in the amount of $16,154.16, 2nd by Gutzkow. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Gutzkow made a motion to adjourn at 8:02 p.m., 2nd by Cekalla. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
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Clerk/Treasurer