Regular City Council Meeting May 16, 2006
City Council Chambers 7:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor - Larry Franzen
Council members
Jim Aden
Roger Dudley
City Administrator
City Clerk Connie L. Dalrymple
City Attorney Mike Bacon
Press: Gothenburg Times - Beth Barrett
Also present: Deb Jensen, Shane Gruber, Eppie Sisneros, Joyce Kolbo, Al Childers, Mr. & Mrs. Keith Hild, Dan Yancy, Jen Wolf, John Paul, Travis Mason, Ronda Jaeschke & Kendell Nelson of Kinder-Morgan
Mayor Franzen opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Advance notice and a copy of the agenda were given to the Council and members of the press.
City Council minutes
– May 2
Cemetery Board minutes –
May 8
Planning & Zoning
Commission minutes- May 9
Treasurer’s report – April
Library Director’s report
Police Report - April
Roll call vote: Yea
- Norseen, Kennedy, Dudley,
Dudley moved, Kennedy
seconded, allowing payment of the claims against the City, $46,269.00 except
#1047, #1895, and #1920; Public Works Division $226,227.35; and the May 4
payroll of $27,078.73. Roll call vote:
Yea –
Kennedy moved,
Claim #1895 submitted by Brandon Block was denied because it did not meet the criteria established by the Tree Board for the tree rebate program.
- The amendment to the Open Meetings Law has prompted the League of Municipalities to recommend discontinuing open or public forums at City Council meetings. Mayor Franzen indicated he would continue the Open Forum because the public deserves a voice at Council meetings. The Council understands, and the public is informed, that the council cannot take action unless the item of discussion is an agenda item. Attorney Bacon has no issue with the open forum. Policy will be changed if problems develop.
Jennifer Wolf, Dawson Area Development Director, asked Council to consider participation in REAP (Rural Enterprise Assistance Project). The program provides technical assistance to developing small businesses, marketing, and other seminars such as sales tax issues, and employee relations.
Dudley moved, Norseen seconded, to pass and approve Resolution 2006-3 authorizing participation in REAP. Roll call vote: Yea – Kennedy, Aden, Norseen, Dudley. Nay – none.
Jennifer Wolf introduced Deb Jensen as the Community and Housing Development Coordinator at Dawson Area Development. She also updated Council on the activities of the office during the past six months.
Discussion was had on resurrecting the plan to establish a hike / bike trail to Wildhorse Golf Course. As proposed, the trail would begin in the area of the depot at Lafayette Park, continuing northwest along the Gothenburg Canal to the bridge at the southeast corner of the golf course property. The Golf Course Association agreed to continue construction from the bridge to the clubhouse. Estimated cost is between $481,800 and $517,450 and a minimum match of 20% is required for grant funds. We must notify the State of our intent to apply for funds by June 30. The application process is very competitive and a greater percentage of match funds improves the chance of being awarded.
Council asked DAD to make the application and to obtain a list of successful applicants from last year to get an idea of match percentages used. Council will discuss it further at the June 6 meeting. Dudley moved, Aden seconded, to begin the application process for grant funds to construct a hike / bike trail. Roll call vote: Yea – Kennedy, Norseen, Aden, Dudley. Nay- none.
Aden moved, Kennedy seconded, approving the lease with Tricia Maline for use of the depot at Lafayette Park for a pre-school. The lease is the same as the current lease, except that Angie Mannel has been removed as a lessee. Roll call vote: Yea – Norseen, Dudley, Kennedy, Aden. Nay – none.
Keith & Brandi Hild currently own the home at 1122 18th Street. The home was constructed close to platted Avenue L causing issues with additional construction and deeds. Hild’s have requested the west 20 feet of platted Avenue L between 18th and the alley to the north be vacated. The proposed ordinance retains a utility easement. Before next meeting, the Public Works Division will check for utilities in the proposed vacated area and if none are there, the easement language will be removed from the ordinance.
Dudley moved, Kennedy seconded, introducing Ordinance 806 to vacate the west 20 feet of platted Avenue L between 18th Street and the alley to the north. Roll call vote: Yea – Norseen, Aden, Kennedy, Dudley. Nay – none.
There was no discussion on a bond resolution for Hilltop Estates improvements.
Chamber representative Joyce Kolbo asked permission to have the Farmer’s Market on Lake Avenue in front of the banks on Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. from July 13 to September 29. Council had no objection and will allow them to use city barricades.
The annual sidewalk sales are planned for June this year and will include bike safety and fire / farm safety information, games and vendors. Although plans are not complete, the Chamber would use Lake Avenue from 10th Street to the alley by the Red Apple Café for the extra programs. Council had no objection and will ask Chief Olson to work with the Sheriff’s Department.
Dudley moved, Kennedy seconded, to pass and approve Resolution 2006-4 authorizing participation in the 2006 Community Improvement Program. Roll call vote: Yea – Norseen, Aden, Kennedy, Dudley. Nay – none.
The Culpepper & Merriwether circus will locate south of Hilltop Estates Care Home, along Avenue M, on June 29. Council agreed to provide water service and the Chamber will be responsible for trash service and contacting diggers hotline.
The City currently has $185,000 in the health insurance side fund even though there have been three major claims in the past year. The current carrier has increased premiums by 5% and applied at $75,000 laser to one employee. A laser is an additional cost targeted to an employee based on their health history. Lasers can be reduced or removed at a later date. That means the City will be responsible for $75,00 instead of the usual $17,500 costs for that employee.
Dudley moved, Norseen seconded, approving the employee health insurance for the year beginning June 1. Roll call vote: Yea – Aden, Kennedy, Norseen, Dudley. Nay – none. The employee cost share percentages will remain the same as the current year. All employees will be issued new cards and approval forms will be forthcoming.
Lengthy discussion was had with Kinder-Morgan representatives. Based on previous discussions, the proposed franchise does not include a franchise fee. Council was reluctant to accept the franchise because it passes costs to the City that Council feels should be K-M costs. Attorney Bacon will review the proposal and make recommendation to the Council.
Kennedy moved, Dudley seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. The next regular meeting will be June 6 at 7:00 p.m.
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Larry Franzen Mayor Connie L. Dalrymple, City Clerk