The minutes of the Fairmont City Council meeting held on October 24, 2011, at the City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Randy J. Quiring called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Council members Gorath, Kallemeyn, Lucas, and Rahm were present. Council member Clerc was absent. Also in attendance: City Administrator Jim Zarling; Assistant City Administrator Mike Humpal; City Attorney Elizabeth Bloomquist; Police Chief Greg Brolsma; Public Works Director/City Engineer Troy Nemmers; Finance Director Paul Hoye; and City Clerk Susan Olson. It was moved by Council member Lucas, seconded by Council member Kallemeyn and carried to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of October 10, 2011. The following comment(s) were received by the City Council during Open Discussion: o City Administrator Zarling reminded Council and the community of an informational meeting to be held on Thursday, October 27th, in the City Hall Council Chambers. Representative Greg Davids, House Tax Chair, will speak on the new homestead market value exclusions which will take the place of the homestead market value credits. o Council member Kallemeyn requested two items be placed on the City Council agenda for a future meeting. He is recommending: Council consider changes to the snow removal policy as it relates to vehicles parked in the street while snow plows are removing snow; Council consider changes to the fees the City charges for lawn mowing and snow removal of neglected properties. o Public Works Director/City Engineer Troy Nemmers updated the Council and the community on the progress being made on the following City projects: the 2011 Improvement Program projects; the construction of the new water treatment plant; the construction of the Winnebago Avenue Sports Complex; the demolition of the old liquor store; and the fall leaf pickup event. o Council member Gorath congratulated the City crews for their efforts toward this year’s leaf pickup. Mayor Quiring read a proclamation proclaiming November 7, 2011, as “Orel Barker Day” in the City of Fairmont, Minnesota. Mayor Quiring read a proclamation proclaiming the month of October, 2011 as “National Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in the City of Fairmont, Minnesota. Stephanie Bushiahn, Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, updated the Council and the community on activities of the CVB. Mark Bauman, Director of the Prairieland Compost Facility, provided an update to the Council and the community on what is happening at the Truman facility. The Assessment Roll for 2011 was presented to the City Council at the September 26, 2011 Council meeting. The Council must hold a public hearing prior to adopting the assessments. Mayor Quiring opened the public hearing and Public Works Director/City Engineer Troy Nemmers introduced each of the three project types in this year’s Improvement Program. There was one reconstruction project completed in 2011: Albion Avenue, from Northwest Belle Vue Road to Lair Road. The Council received comments on this project from Bill Gies of 118 Alton Street and from James Baarts of 1820 Albion Avenue. The Council also received a written appeal from Mr. Kenneth R. Krueger, the owner of three parcels to be assessed on the Albion Avenue project. There were five resurfacing projects completed in 2011. They were: Cedar Park Road, from Arthur Street to Cedar Park parking lot; Cedar Creek Court, from Lake Aires Road to West Amber Lake Drive; Stella Street, from De-Lu Street to Government Street; Ward Street, from Prairie Avenue to Hampton Street; and North Avenue, from Margaret Street to Bridge #46575. The Council received comments from Matt Schmidt of 3607 Cedar Park Road on the resurfacing of Cedar Park Road. There were ten seal coat projects completed during the 2011 improvement season. They are listed as follows: Bird Street, from Summit Drive to Shoreacres Drive; Day Street, from Orient Street to School Street; Elm Street, from Blue Earth Avenue to 1st Street; Fifth Street, from Prairie Avenue to Orient Street; Larsen Lane, from Christina Street south to cul-de-sac; Lucia Avenue, from Margaret Street to Anna Street; Orient Street, from 6th Street to railroad; Second Street, from Prairie Avenue to railroad; Stella Addition Service Road, from De-Lu Street to Government Street; and Tilden Street, from Home Street to State Street. No one was present to be heard on any of the seal coat projects. No one was present to be heard on the mowing and miscellaneous assessments. It was moved by Council member Lucas, seconded by Council member Gorath and carried to close the public hearing. Council discussion continued concerning the written appeal received from Mr. Ken Krueger. A motion was made by Council member Lucas, seconded by Council member Kallemeyn and carried to continued the public hearing in regard to Mr. Krueger’s appeal concerning the assessments on City Parcel No. 11423-002; City Parcel No. 11426-002; City Parcel No. 11425-002A at the November 28, 2011 City Council meeting. Council member Lucas introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No. 2011-46, adopting the special assessments for the 2011 improvement projects and miscellaneous assessments for mowing performed in 2010. Council member Gorath seconded the motion for its adoption. On roll call: Council members Gorath, Kallemeyn, Lucas and Rahm all voted aye. No one voted nay. Mayor Quiring declared said resolution to have received the affirmative vote of the Council and he then declared the same to have been duly passed, approved and adopted. At their meeting on October 10, 2011, the City Council scheduled a public hearing to be held on October 24, 2011 to allow all interested persons to speak to a request to rezone properties located at 611, 614, 615, 620 and 651 Pioneer Drive to a B-1 Neighborhood Business zoning district. Mayor Quiring opened the public hearing. There was no one present to be heard. A motion was made by Council member Lucas, seconded by Council member Kallemeyn and carried to close the public hearing. Council member Lucas introduced and moved for the adoption of Ordinance No. 2011-10 amending the City of Fairmont’s official zoning map to rezone these properties, currently zoned R-3 Multi-Family Residential and B-3 General Business districts, to a B-1 Neighborhood Business District. Council member Rahm seconded the motion for its adoption. On roll call: Council members Rahm, Gorath, Kallemeyn and Lucas all voted aye. No one voted nay. Mayor Quiring declared said ordinance to have received the affirmative vote of the Council and he then declared the same to have been duly passed, approved and adopted. At their meeting on October 10, 2011, the City Council scheduled a public hearing to be held on October 24, 2011 to allow all interested persons to speak to a request to rezone properties located at 1215, 1217 and 1231 Albion Avenue to a B-1 Neighborhood Business zoning district. Mayor Quiring opened the public hearing. Mr. David Stedman of 1211 Albion Avenue was present to comment on the rezoning request. Following discussion, a motion was made by Council member Rahm, seconded by Council member Gorath and carried to close the public hearing. Council member Rahm introduced and moved for the adoption of Ordinance No. 2011-11 amending the City of Fairmont’s official zoning map to rezone these properties, currently zoned R-1 Single-Family Residential to a B-1 Neighborhood Business District. Council member Gorath seconded the motion for its adoption. On roll call: Council members Gorath, Kallemeyn, Lucas and Rahm all voted aye. No one voted nay. Mayor Quiring declared said ordinance to have received the affirmative vote of the Council and he then declared the same to have been duly passed, approved and adopted. This year’s Fairmont Glows Parade will be held on Friday, November 18, 2011. A motion was made by Council member Kallemeyn, seconded by Council member Lucas and carried to approve the application for a parade permit for this event. The current labor agreement with AFSCME, Local Union #1204 will expire on December 31, 2011. A new three year agreement has been reached with the union calling for a wage increase of 2% in 2012, 2013 and 2014. In addition, the health insurance plan was amended to increase deductibles and co-pays to keep the 2012 employee/employer premium costs frozen for 2012. A motion was made by Council member Lucas, seconded by Council member Rahm and carried to approve this labor agreement. Representatives from the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities attended the October 10, 2011 Council meeting to bring the Council up to date on the activities of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. Mayor Quiring requested this item be placed on the agenda for the October 24th meeting to discuss rejoining the Coalition. Following Council discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to not join the Coalition at this time. City Administrator Zarling has recommended Finance Director Paul Hoye be designated as the authorized agent to make investment decisions on behalf of the City. Council member Gorath introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No. 2011-47 authorizing Finance Director Paul Hoye as the authorized agent for the City. Council member Lucas seconded the motion for its adoption. On roll call: Council members Gorath, Kallemeyn, Lucas and Rahm all voted aye. No one voted nay. Mayor Quiring declared said resolution to have received the affirmative vote of the Council and he then declared the same to have been duly passed, approved and adopted. The list of the accounts payable for the month of October was presented to the City Council. A motion was made by Council member Lucas, seconded by Council member Kallemeyn and carried to approve payment of these bills in the amount of $1,429,887.00. A motion was made by Council member Gorath, seconded by Council member Rahm and carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:08 p.m. _________________________________ ATTEST: Mayor _________________________________ City Clerk