Warba City Council Meeting

Febuary 10th, 2003

Call to order by Mayor Dana Marrier.  The pledge of allegiance was read.  Members present, Ellen Coffel, Becky McCauley, Dana & Amy Marrier, and Lois Holmes.  Absent, Doug Mericle.  Guests were Bessie from Casper’s Leather, Ken Seibert, and Brian Borgman.  The minutes of the January meeting were read and a motion by Ellen, seconded by Becky to accept, approved 4-0.  The treasurer’s report was not read because the bank statement did not make it in time for the meeting.  Outstanding bills were presented and a motion by Becky, seconded by Amy to accept, approved 4-0.

Mayor Marrier asked Lois and Amy to check into if getting the bank statement on time for the meetings is going to be a problem in the future.

Community Center:  There was a discussion concerning the cleanliness of the community center by groups that utilize it.  There will be a cleanliness check off list for all groups that use the community center.  The check off list will be located both on the administration office door and in the kitchen. 

Utility:  Tim says there is still a problem with the hour meter in the water pump station.  Dana asked Ken to hire out someone to fix the meter once and for all.

Recreation:  Ellen reported that recreation is not tracking any transactions that are performed.  There is a lot of confusion with who is tracking, authorizing and representing the recreation department.  Ellen or Doug will help get the department organized at the next meeting.  Dana also mentioned that the city has authorization to take over the Recreation project if it doesn’t get handled properly.

Fire:  Ellen mentioned that our ISO rating went down from a 8.9 to a 7, which is a good improvement.  Dana mentioned that he and Mark met and discussed monies that should have been paid to the fire department and were not in the past.  The portions were to be equally paid by Warba, Feely, and Sago.

Cemetery: Meeting is scheduled for February 20th at Swan River because Marion Dorn is retiring after many years of service.

Other:  State Resolution read and Ellen made a motion and Amy seconded it to pass.  Approved 4-0.

Dana checked into a phone number for the City.  $46. per month for just a phone with no long distance service.  Amy will ask Darlene if she would state something on her answering machine saying to contact Amy with her number if its city business.  Dana attended the newly elected officials meeting and discussed how he gained a large amount of information from the meeting.  Dana would like us to look into getting an audit for the city and how much it would cost.  The state could also be used to audit the city.  Amy will check with 3 different options.  Dana also reported that planning for the future was a key topic at the meeting.  Especially creating revenue streams of income for the city.  City sponsored festivals and utility topics were a couple of ideas of revenue streams.  Also discussed was how hourly workers were more cost beneficial than salary workers. 

High speed Internet was brought up as a discussion item.  Dana did some research into what other cities were providing for service, the speed rates and costs. 

Shrines asked for a $50 donation Ellen motioned not to donate at this time and Dana seconded   Approved 4-0.  Pollution control sheets were given to Tim and he said he would look into it.  Dana asked that the agenda be given out no later than the Friday before the council meeting.  Possibly have a box for everyone at the community center. 

Correspondence:  Amy mentioned the rate changes in Gopher State One Call.   Also she mentioned the clerk training in July.  Amy will ask MN cities if they have any more training on CTAS and look into which Clerk training she wants to attend.  Becky made a motion that Amy may choose which training she wants to attend and go ahead and attend it, and Ellen seconded it.  Approved 4-0.

Becky volunteered to go to the Wastewater Informational meeting on Tues. 25th from 9:30 to noon. 

Old Business:  Eventually we will transfer the Edward Jones Utility checking account to Grand Rapids State Bank.  Ellen will check into floor waxing equipment.  Ellen wrote letters to 7 different Attorneys and got replies from Anderson and Dimich law office.  Anderson asked that we consider them to be hired by the city at $100 per hour. An attorney from Dimich's office would cost $85 but John Dimich could not represent us because of the pending lawsuit going on with the city right now.  Table community center rates until March.  Dumpster day will be tabled until the March meeting.  Becky made a motion and Ellen seconded it.  Approved 4-0.  Becky will call LMC regarding how to report Mr. Seibert's hours. 

New Business:  Brian asked for a check for the wastewater department for fees for the DNR.  Assessment notice was issued for April the 8th at 9 a.m. and will be posted at the Community Center, Post Office, and in the Herald Review.  Review of the budget took place and was fairly clear although it was Amy’s first budget.  Amy will talk to Darlene and get further explanation from the League of MN Cities. 

Dana called for adjournment with a motion from Ellen, seconded by Becky.  Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully,

Amy Marrier – City Clerk