Minutes of the Fairmont City Council meeting held on December 14, 2009, in the City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Randy Quiring called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members Anderson, Clerc, Gorath, Kallemeyn and Lucas were present. Also in attendance were: City Administrator Jim Zarling; Assistant City Administrator Mike Humpal; City Attorney Elizabeth Bloomquist; Finance Director Paul Hoye; Public Works Director/City Engineer Troy Nemmers; Police Chief Greg Brolsma; and City Clerk Susan Olson. It was moved by Council member Lucas, seconded by Council member Clerc and carried to approve the minutes of the November 23, 2009, City Council meeting as presented. The following comments were received by the City Council during Open Discussion: o Council member Gorath recognized all Street and Park Department employees for their exemplary efforts during this fall’s leaf pickup event and also, more recently, for their quick response to snow removal efforts following our first major snow event of the winter season. o Council member Kallemeyn reminded citizens who own property on a corner to remember to remove the snow from the sidewalk all the way to the curb at the corner so pedestrians can easily travel from one block to the next block. o Mayor Quiring promoted the Pancake Feed sponsored by the Rotary Club on Saturday, December 19th with proceeds going to the Strive Program. Public Works Director/City Engineer Troy Nemmers reported to the City Council on this year’s Leaf Pick Up event. In summary, as a result of making three passes through the entire City, a total of 6,850 cubic yards of leaves were picked up. Total manpower hours spent was 791 and total labor cost was $18,399.57. Staff is recommending this event be repeated next fall with a few minor improvements. Public Works Director/City Engineer Troy Nemmers reported to the City Council on the Adopt- a-Park program initiated this past spring in an effort to assist City park crews with routine park maintenance. Five City parks were chosen and seven different organizations/businesses (approximately 250 persons, over 100 who were under the age of 18) volunteered to participate in the program. Staff reported the program to be very successful. Steven Seifried of 410 Tilden Street, submitted an offer to the City Council to purchase the lot legally described as Lot 4, Block 1, Barker’s Subdivision of Ward’s Central Addition (401 South Prairie Avenue) for a purchase price of $100.00. At an earlier meeting, the Council voted to approve the house on this lot be demolished, but the garage was to remain. A public hearing was held to afford all interested persons an opportunity to speak to this matter. Mr. Seifried was present and updated the Council on the condition of the garage and the maintenance he has performed on the structure over the past several years. A motion was made by Council member Gorath, seconded by Council member Clerc and carried to close the public hearing. Council member Kallemeyn introduced and moved for the adoption of Ordinance No. 2009-10 to sell the real property located at 401 South Prairie Avenue to Steven Seifried. Council member Lucas seconded the motion for its adoption. On roll call: Council members Lucas, Anderson, Clerc, Gorath, and Kallemeyn 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. The 2009 Cigarette licenses, the theater license, the Refuse Hauling licenses, and the taxi licenses will all expire on December 31, 2009. A motion was made by Council member Anderson, seconded by Council member Gorath and carried to approve the 2010 renewals of these miscellaneous licenses pending completion of the renewal application process and payment of the renewal fee of $25.00. Annually, the Borderline Cruisers Car Club holds a car show in the Downtown Plaza area. The Car Club has submitted an application requesting Council approval to barricade some of the public streets during this event to be held on Saturday, June 12, 2010. A motion was made by Council member Lucas, seconded by Council member Anderson and carried to approve this application to barricade public streets in the Downtown Plaza area for this event. The March of Dimes organization has made application for a parade permit to conduct their annual Walk America. It will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2010. A motion was made by Council member Anderson, seconded by Council member Clerc and carried to approve this application for the March of Dimes walk. Legislation requires the Council adopt the final tax levy and certify it to the Martin County Auditor by December 28, 2009. City Finance Director Paul Hoye summarized the budget process and provided the Council with a review of the proposed amounts resulting in a 3.5% property tax increase in 2010. Council member Lucas introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No. 2009-47, adopting the 2010 Property Tax Levy in the amount of $2,857,242 and ordering its certification to the Martin County Auditor. Council member Kallemeyn seconded the motion for its adoption. On roll call: Council members Clerc, Gorath, Kallemeyn, Lucas, and Anderson 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. Following adoption of the tax levy, legislation requires the Council adopt its budget. Finance Director Hoye presented the proposed 2010 budget for the Council’s approval. Council member Clerc introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No. 2009-48 adopting the 2010 budget to be submitted to the Martin County Auditor with the 2010 tax levy. Council member Kallemeyn seconded the motion for its adoption. On roll call: Council members Gorath, Kallemeyn, Lucas, Anderson and Clerc 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. Each year, the Finance Director is responsible for the preparation of budgets for the proprietary fund as defined in the City Charter. The departments included are: Public Utilities, Storm Sewer, Liquor Store, Parking lots, Central Garage, and Data Processing. Council member Kallemeyn introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No. 2009-49 approving the 2010 proprietary fund budgets as presented. Council member Lucas seconded the motion for its adoption. On roll call: Council members Kallemeyn, Lucas, Anderson, Clerc, and Gorath 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. Council member Lucas addressed the Council to present his opposition to the $30,000 allocation to the Fairmont Hockey Association which is included in the City’s budget each year. Following Council discussion, a motion was made by Council member Lucas, seconded by Council member Anderson and carried to remove this line item from the City’s budget effective 2011. Council member Lucas voted in favor of this motion. Council members Kallemeyn, Anderson, Clerc and Gorath all voted nay. The motion failed to receive the approval of the City Council. The Fairmont Public Utilities Commission has recommended soft water rates be increased by 25% effective January, 2010. A motion was made by Council member Kallemeyn, seconded by Council member Gorath and carried to call for a public hearing to be held on Monday, January 11, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. to afford all interested parties an opportunity to speak publicly concerning this proposed Ordinance No. 2010-01 amending the soft water rates. The Fairmont Public Utilities Commission has recommended Wastewater (sewer) rates be increased by 3%. A motion was made by Council member Kallemeyn, seconded by Council member Clerc and carried to call for a public hearing to be held on Monday, January 11, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. to afford all interested parties an opportunity to speak publicly concerning this proposed Ordinance No. 2010-02 amending the wastewater (sewer) rates. Continued discussion took place between Council members and staff concerning the proposed construction of a new Water Treatment Plant for the City of Fairmont. City Administrator Zarling presented a summary of work which has already been done by Advanced Engineering Services, Inc., the company the City hired to develop a plan, set up a project timetable, and apply for available funding for this $31,000,000 facility. Council discussion followed concerning the debate as to whether or not to continue to treat surface water in this new plant or to introduce the use of ground water. Discussion concluded with a motion by Council member Clerc, seconded by Council member Gorath and carried authorizing staff to request a design contract from Advanced Engineering Services, Inc. for the construction of a new water plant for the City of Fairmont. Another priority in the discussion of the construction of this new water plant, is to begin the process to identify the site of choice for this new plant. Several options have been presented for review. The top two options would involve obtaining property from School District #2742. A motion was made by Council member Clerc, seconded by Council member Anderson and carried authorizing staff to begin discussions with the School District on these two options for water plant re-location. The City of Fairmont has several tax increment districts that are no longer required to be kept active. Council member Kallemeyn introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No. 2009-50 de-certifying the following tax increments districts: #1, #9, #11, #13, and #14. Council member Lucas seconded the motion for its adoption. On roll call: Council members Lucas, Anderson, Clerc, Gorath and Kallemeyn 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 City of Fairmont, along with 13 other communities, has entered into a Middle 9 Emergency Services Mutual Aid Agreement for the purpose of sharing personnel and equipment in the event of an emergency. A motion was made by Council member Lucas, seconded by Council member Gorath and carried to approve the updates to this agreement and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign this agreement on behalf of the City. Every three years, the City must report its pay rates to the State of Minnesota for pay equity compliance testing. City Administrator Zarling recommended the City Council approve a pay rate adjustment for the following positions: Customer Services II to $21.43; Recreation and Youth Services Director to $29.05; and City Clerk to $33.48, effective December 31, 2009, with no additional adjustments in 2010. A motion was made by Council member Anderson, seconded by Council member Lucas and carried to approve these pay rate adjustments. Annually, the Fairmont Fire Department holds election for departmental officers. The results of their election need to be approved by the City Council in order to become final. A motion was made by Council member Gorath, seconded by Council member Kallemeyn and carried to approve the Fire Department election of officers as follows: Fire Chief – James Freeman; Deputy Fire Chief – Doug Borchardt; Captain – Brandon Scott; First Lieutenant – Bob Atzenhoefer; Second Lieutenant – Bryan Kastning; and Secretary – Phil Armstrong. A motion was made by Council member Clerc, seconded by Council member Lucas and carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m. ________________________________________ ATTEST: Mayor ________________________________________ City Clerk