The minutes of the Fairmont City Council meeting held on Monday, December 10, 2007, in the City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Quiring called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Councilmembers Anderson, Clerc, Gorath, Kallemeyn, and Lucas were present. It was determined a quorum was present. Also in attendance were City Administrator Zarling, Assistant City Administrator Humpal, City Attorney Bloomquist, and Police Chief Brolsma, and City Clerk Olson. It was moved by Councilmember Clerc, seconded by Councilmember Gorath and carried to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2007, City Council meeting as presented. It was moved by Councilmember Clerc, seconded by Councilmember Gorath and carried to approve the minutes of the December 3, 2007, special meeting of the City Council as presented. During Open Discussion, citizen Siegfreidt Olson of 701 E First Street spoke in opposition to the proposed 23% increase in the tax levy for 2008. Michael Burgraff, Executive Director of the Fairmont Opera House, addressed the City Council to encourage them to include a $10,000 donation to the Fairmont Opera House in the 2008 budget. Fairmont citizen Thomas Coleman of 1026 N. Prairie Avenue spoke in opposition of the proposed rezoning of three lots located on the corner of 11th Street and No. Prairie Avenue. Police Chief Greg Brolsma spoke on behalf of the Healthy Youth Initiative to invite the entire City Council to a ?Listening Lunch? to be held at the Fairmont High School on Thursday, January 10, 2008 beginning at 11:15 a.m. Mayor Quiring opened the public hearing on a request from the Fairmont Housing and Redevelopment Authority to rezone Lots 5, 6, 7, 8 of Block 13, Lake George Addition from the current R-1 Single Family Residential to an R-2S One to Four Family Residential. Assistant City Administrator Mike Humpal explained approving this rezoning would be a positive step toward improving the neighborhood and would allow this property to be used as rental property for the proposed construction of one four plex or two duplexes on this property. Following Council discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Lucas and seconded by Councilmember Kallemeyn and carried to close the public hearing. Councilmember Clerc introduced and moved for the adoption of Ordinance No. 2007-08, an ordinance amending the Fairmont City Code Section 26-152 R-1 Single Family Residential to an R-2S One to Four Family Residential. Councilmember Anderson seconded the motion for its adoption. On roll call, Councilmembers Kallemeyn, Lucas, Anderson, Clerc and Gorath voted aye and no one voted naye. Mayor Quiring declared said ordinance to have received the affirmative vote of the entire Council and he then declared the same to have been duly passed, approved and adopted. It was moved by Councilmember Anderson, seconded by Councilmember Kallemeyn and carried to approve a permit for the MS Society for their annual walk scheduled for May 4, 2008. A list of the 2008 Miscellaneous Licenses (cigarette, dance, theater, refuse hauling and taxi) was presented to the City Council for approval. Councilmember Lucas recommended the $180.00 dance permit be eliminated. A motion was made by Councilmember Clerc and seconded by Councilmember Gorath to approve the 2008 Miscellaneous Licenses as presented. On roll call, Councilmember Gorath voted aye and Councilmembers Kallemeyn, Lucas, Anderson and Clerc all voted naye. The motion was defeated. Following further discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Clerc and seconded by Councilmember Lucas to approve the elimination of the dance permit from the list of the 2008 Miscellaneous Licenses which would then include cigarette, theater, refuse hauling and taxi permits. On roll call, Councilmembers Lucas, Anderson, Clerc and Kallemeyn voted aye and Councilmember Gorath voted naye. The motion was approved and it was noted it will remain necessary to obtain a temporary dance permit for special outdoor functions held during the year. Council discussion was held in regard to the proposed 2008 Property Tax Levy. City Administrator Jim Zarling presented background information and each Councilmember presented their opinions in regard to this proposed levy for 2008. Following this discussion, Councilmember Clerc introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No. 2007-54, a resolution adopting the Tax Levy Payable in 2008 in the amount of $2,622,200. This tax levy would not include a donation to either the Fairmont Opera House or the Red Rock Center and it would exclude the $100,000 line item for the purchase of a pumper truck for the Fire Department. Councilmember Gorath seconded the motion for its adoption. On roll call, Councilmembers Clerc, Gorath, Kallemeyn and Lucas all voted aye and Councilmember Anderson voted naye. Mayor Quiring declared said resolution to have received the affirmative vote of the majority of the Council and he then declared the same to be passed, approved and adopted. Councilmember Clerc introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No. 2007-55, a resolution approving the 2008 Budget which would exclude the $20,000 donation to the Fairmont Opera House and the Red Rock Center and would also exclude the $100,000 line item for the pumper truck for the Fire Department. Councilmember Lucas seconded the motion for its adoption. On roll call, Councilmembers Clerc, Gorath, Kallemeyn, Lucas, and Anderson all voted aye and no one voted naye. Mayor Quiring declared said resolution to have received the affirmative note of the majority of the Council and he then declared the same to be passed, approved and adopted. Councilmember Lucas introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No. 2007-56, a resolution approving the 2008 Proprietary Fund Budgets as presented. Councilmember Anderson seconded the motion for its adoption. On roll call, Councilmembers Gorath, Kallemeyn, Lucas, Anderson and Clerc voted aye and no one voted naye. Mayor Quiring declared said resolution to have received the affirmative vote of the majority of the Council and he then declared the same to be passed, approved and adopted. It was moved by Councilmember Gorath, seconded by Councilmember Kallemeyn and carried to approve the establishment of a five year plan of improvements for the community of Fairmont as developed by the City Council during their goal setting sessions held in 2007. This plan will provide for the establishment of designated funds for these proposed improvements in the budget for the next five years. It was moved by Councilmember Lucas, seconded by Councilmember Anderson and carried to approve the Employment Agreement, payment for moving expenses, and a $550 monthly allowance for up to six months for Paul Hoye to be employed as Finance Director effective January 1, 2008. It was moved by Councilmember Gorath, seconded by Councilmember Lucas and carried to approve payment of the November, 2007 bills in the amount of $1,146,618.42. It was moved by Councilmember Kallemeyn, seconded by Councilmember Anderson and carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m. ____________________________________ ATTEST: Mayor _____________________________________ City Clerk