Warba City Council Meeting 

June 14, 2004

The Warba city council meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm.  The Pledge of Allegiance was read.  All members were present.  Minutes were discussed and a motion was made by Becky McCauley and seconded by Ellen Coffel.  Approved 5-0.  Treasurer’s report was read and Dana Marrier asked about the fire fund shortage.  Lois Holmes explained that the apportionments would arrive first part of July so it will balance out in August on the cash control statement.  A motion by Doug Mericle seconded by Becky McCauley to accept the treasurer’s report.  Approved 5-0.  Bills were read and a motion by Becky McCauley and a second by Doug Mericle to pay the bills.  Approved 5-0.

Utility:   Amy Marrier was asked to hold the payment for Northern 2 way on the siren because it has not worked yet.  Tim Satrang asked that the sewer ponds be mowed, as the PCA will be out soon to inspect the ponds.  Tim Satrang is going to strip the pipes in the pump house and have them repainted.  Tim Satrang discussed have a cage over the wellhead for security purposes.  Tim Satrang is going to get us some information and costs on the cage.  Dana Marrier mentioned that he found some information on the Internet regarding someone that works on hour meters.  Dana Marrier asked the council for permission to line this individual up to handle this ongoing problem. 

Zoning:  Dana Marrier asked how the meeting went for zoning and Ellen Coffel said that 3 people showed up and they continued to review the zoning materials.  June 28th at 6:30 pm at the Community Center is the next meeting. 

Community Center:  Becky McCauley made a motion to buy a vacuum not to exceed $75 and Amy Marrier seconded it.  3 approved 2 abstain.  Ellen Coffel was concerned about the quality of a $75 vacuum cleaner.  Amy Marrier will purchase a vacuum cleaner.  Bessie Casper updated the council on her sign findings and it’s within her church group only for purchasing or obtaining the sign.  Gina Saric submitted a bid for the Community Center and Dana Marrier read the bid.  Council decided that Gina Saric’s 9X11 sign would be too small for the building.  Council thought it would be more appropriate to have a large enough sign for people to see as they were driving by the Community Center from Highway 2.  The sign was tabled until the next meeting.  Becky McCauley will be doing some further research.  Dana Marrier mentioned why don’t we just do 6 inch lettering on the front of the building that says Warba Community Center.  Dana Marrier asked Amy Marrier to do some further investigating on the pop machine and the discussion was tabled.  The air conditioners were installed and in place at the community center.  Dana Marrier explained how to use the air conditioning units. 

Recreation:  Dana Marrier asked Doug Mericle if recreation discussed the free benches for the park.  “Basketball hoops work great,” was some feedback from some of the local community. 

Fire:  Doug Mericle asked about insurance coverage for the fire department and Dana Marrier directed Doug Mericle to the fire department for his questions.  Ellen Coffel is pretty sure the fire contracts got signed but will check on it to be sure.

Cemetery:  Becky McCauley said that Memorial Day went really well at the cemetery. 

Other:   Lois Holmes and Amy Marrier explained the error made on the City of Warba Financials.

Correspondence:  The Minnesota Association of Townships sent out a memo asking if we would be interested in summer short courses from Mock Public Hearings to CTAS running $35 up front costs and $45 if we wait until paying at the door.  Hawkins sent a survey that was given to Brian Borgman to fill out regarding new software, renewal of membership to water and wastes digest magazine (free).  There will be a free workshop at the Cloquet Forestry Center June 22 from 8:30 to 12:30pm.  There is an annual League of Minnesota Cities meeting at Gilbert on July 27 from 2:30 to 8:30pm for $35. Ellen Coffel expressed interest in attending the annual League meeting at Gilbert July 27 from 2:30 to 8:30 pm.  Dana Marrier made a motion to pay normal expenses for Ellen to attend and Becky McCauley seconded it.  The City received a letter from Saint Louis County on Joint Cooperation for HOME funding.  Amy Marrier received an apology letter for the treatment towards her at the Minnesota Clerks Institute in 2003.  A letter was received from the ECDE for the use of the community center.  A public notice regarding a solid waste facility permit for Hengel Ready Mix was received.  A letter was received from the cooperative purchasing venture program.  A pamphlet was sent regarding fair labor Standards.  A brochure was received regarding Minnesota economic development corporation.  Avalon security sent a letter regarding if our city is prepared for an emergency disaster.  Council asked Amy Marrier to follow up with Pat Gilsvik to see if she wanted to look into the project she started last year further.  Dana received letter from victory sports and an invitation to the 12th Annual Joel Labovitz Entrepreneurial Success Awards. 

Old Business:  Discussion took place regarding the two proposed ordinances regarding non-expansion of City water and sewer and non-domestic animals within the City of Warba on parcels less than 10 acres in size.  Becky McCauley made a motion to accept the ordinance on water and sewer expansion and Ellen Coffel seconded it.  Approved 5-0.  A motion from Doug Mericle seconded by Ellen Coffel to approve animal control with changes made, pending attorney approval of the changes.  Approved 5-0. 

Discussion took place regarding the city lots behind the school.  Becky McCauley said didn’t want to sell it for the sake of selling it and Ellen Coffel said she agreed with Becky McCauley.  Ellen Coffel said that she wanted to see the land used for an improvement for the city and that if someone was interested in buying it they could approach the council.  Dana Marrier agreed.  Doug Mericle asked about putting a community garden in the area for now.  People and council whom attended the meeting liked the idea of having a community garden.  A local community member Nikki Mystelski asked about using the land for outreach type projects in the future.  Dana Marrier asked Doug Mericle to look further into a community garden.  Next water bills will be sent out on the 10th of July and Ellen Coffel will have an insert regarding national night out.  LeRoy Bowmen wrote a note to Lois Holmes saying he would be paying his City water and sewer bill.  Lois Holmes asked for an update on Meadows.net and how his business was coming along.  Dana Marrier reported that it was working well and he has heard a mix of good and a few bad comments on it.  Dana Marrier asked Amy Marrier to follow up on when Meadows.net owed us our next annual payment.  Ellen Coffel asked about her ditch in front of her house and Ken Seibert said he would contact Holmquist regarding completion of the project or if he planned on coming back to do further work on the ditch.     

New Business: Dana Marrier received a call that there was a no trespassing sign on the old dump road located near the new tax-free zone.  Dana Marrier asked Doug Mericle to check with Paul Shultz regarding the no trespassing sign.  Doug Mericle brought up getting together some equipment to take care of certain jobs around town like road maintenance and plowing sidewalks.  Dana Marrier explained that if we could put together a proposal that would be cost effective for the community it might be possible.  Dana Marrier also said it would be pending council approval.  Dana Marrier mentioned that he was working on bring a U-HAUL service into town.       

A motion was made by Ellen Coffel to adjourn the meeting seconded by Doug Mericle.  Approved 5-0.                           

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted, Amy Marrier City Clerk