Warba City Council Meeting

June 9, 2003

Mayor Dana Marrier called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.  The pledge of allegiance was read.  Members present Doug Mericle, Ellen Coffel, Becky McCauley, Lois Holmes, Dana Marrier, and Amy Marrier.  There were no absent members.  Guests were Ken Seibert, Tim Satrang, Ron and Kathy Olson, Pat Gilsvik, and Chad Sterle.  Ellen Coffel made a motion to accept the minutes and Becky McCauley seconded them.  Approved 5-0.  Treasurer’s report was read.  Becky McCauley made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report and Amy Marrier seconded it.  Approved 5-0. 

Dana Marrier rescinded his motion from the last meeting regarding making Doug Mericle’s position vacant.

Bills were presented.  A motion by Ellen Coffel, seconded by Doug Mericle to pay the bills.  Approved 5-0. 

Committee Reports: 

Community Center:  Amy Marrier presented the floor waxing bids for the community center.  Rodney Lentz and Steve Herring of Range Building Maintenance submitted floor-waxing bids.  Dana Marrier made a motion and Amy Marrier seconded to have Range Building Maintenance wax the floor.  Approved 4-0 and 1 abstain by Becky McCauley.  Range Building and Maintenance will be doing the waxing and Amy Marrier will set it up.   

Recreation:  Playground rest room project is proceeding slowly.

Fire:  Ellen Coffel reported that there was a fireboard meeting and the Sago representative reworded the contract, which makes it null and void. 

The fire board refused Warba's request to use fire department equipment to continue to maintain the sewer system as has been done in the past.  Stating that although it has been allowed in the past, it would no longer be allowed as the current interpretation of the contract did not permit such use. 

Stating that the fire contract has also never required the City of Warba to provide free Water and Sewer services to the fire department, Dana Marrier asked Lois Holmes to try to come up with a bill for water and sewer services since day one of the joint fire department forming.

Dana Marrier worked up a handout explaining the payments made for fire protection by Warba, Feeley, and Sago.  This handout explained clearly that Warba was paying the most (as % of tax valuation) and had the smallest fire protection area to cover.  Ellen Coffel also pointed out that we had the fewest calls of all three entities.  

Dana Marrier received a reply from LMC on joint powers and explained it to the council. 

Cemetery:  No meetings

Other:  Amy Marrier will be unable to attend the July 14 council meeting due to Municipal Clerks Training in Roseville the week of July 14 to the 18. 

Utility:  Tim Satrang spoke of the weed growth around the sewer ponds and that the area needed to be better maintained.  Dana Marrier checked into rural water & sewer funding for small cities.  Dana Marrier asked to set up a special meeting with Tim Satrang (City of Warba), Pete McFearson (MN Rual Water) and Tim Hagmeyer (MN Rual Water), along with the council at 1:00pm July 14 at the community center.  Becky McCauley mentioned that Joey Ranta would like to be involved with any water/sewer extension discussions.     

Correspondence:  Amy reviewed all items. 

Dana or Amy Marrier will email minutes of the last special meeting to all council members.  

National night out information sheets will be mailed out with the next water bill and Ellen Coffel will look into getting the addresses of those Warba residents that do not get a water bill as well. 

Old Business:  Mowing at the fire hall was discussed.  

Dana Marrier picked up the new sewer beehives and Ken Seibert installed them.  

Lois Holmes brought up the motel bill and that we will most likely not be able to collect the money owed to the city.  Lois Holmes will check with the bank that has the motel for sale. 

New Business:  Doug Mericle mentioned that he would like to be able to participate in the meetings either via a telephone conference or change the meeting dates to reflect that Doug Mericle could attend.  Next month Doug Mericle will be able to attend the meeting.  

Dana brought up the State of Minnesota surplus store that he visited and explained that he found fireproof file cabinets for only $35.  Council approved purchase of 2 fireproof file cabinets.  Dana Will pick them up.

Doug Mericle and Ken Seibert addressed a rodent issue by the lift station.  

Itasca County will be out to gravel and grade the streets this week.  

Dana Marrier presented a final request from Darlene Adolfs concerning the air conditioner for the community center.  The council decided that the air conditioner stands as it is and will not be put in until the money is raised. 

Guests: Chad Sterle  is the lawyer the city had decided may be a good choice for legal representation.  Becky McCauley asked about whether it would be a good idea to have Chad as our legal representation since his office (John Dimich Law Office) was the representative for the ongoing dispute with Terry Peterson.  Chad explained that the office was set up as a Professional Limited Liability. Chad Sterle is his own entity under the same roof with the shared name of Dimich Law Office.  Chad Sterle explained that the office works together closely but is very confidential regarding individual names and or situations.  Chad Sterle provided some free legal advice for the council.  Amy Marrier made a motion to have Chad Sterle for our legal representative and Becky McCauley seconded it.  Approved 5-0.

The council decided that there would be a Public Hearing for next council meeting to discuss the New construction 10-foot setback rule.  The special meeting will in the next council meeting at 7:30 for 10-foot setback possibilities. 

Ron and Kathy Olson came to the meeting and explained that they will be putting up a garage 28X32 feet.  Council gave them the go ahead.

Amy Marrier made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Ellen Coffel seconded it. 

Respectfully submitted by Amy Marrier, City Clerk