Warba City Council Meeting 

August 9, 2004

The Warba city council meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm.  The pledge of allegiance was read.  Members present: Doug Mericle, Ellen Coffel, Becky McCauley, Dana Marrier, and Amy Marrier.  Member absent: Lois Holmes.  Minutes were discussed and some errors we corrected.  A motion was made by Becky McCauley and seconded by Doug Mericle to approve the minutes as corrected.  Approved 5-0.  Treasurer’s report was read.  A motion by Dana Marrier seconded by Ellen Coffel to accept the treasurer’s report.  Approved 5-0.  Bills were read and a motion by Ellen Coffel and seconded by Becky McCauley to pay the bills.  Approved 5-0.

Utility:  Ken Siebert reported that the tornado siren is not working and it’s due to the signal not being strong enough.  Also, the water meters are both working now.  The repairperson that came out was from Floodwood.  A pressure switch is one thing the repairman highly recommended we purchase and install.  The concern is that if there were a fire in town we could deplete the water supply.  Dana Marrier made a motion to go ahead with the pressure switch and Doug Mericle seconded it.  Approved 5-0.   Tim Satrang went to a conference that had some neat information about wastewater issues.  Tim Satrang is going to copy some of the information off for the council.  Tim Satrang also said grant funding is about a 4 to 5 year process.  Grant writing was briefly discussed between council and Tim Satrang regarding wastewater infrastructure.   

Zoning:  Doug Mericle and Ellen Coffel said zoning is still coming along really well.  The next zoning meeting is Wednesday the 25th of August.  

Community Center:  Sign discussion took place by Council.  Pat Beers said she would donate time and labor for a wooden sign that would measure about 3X4 feet that could be placed above the door in the front of the Community Center if the city would pay for supplies.  Council also discussed the signs that were presented by Mel Holmquist in the past.  Ellen Coffel made a motion that Pat Beers make the sign and that the council approve $500 dollars for supplies, Dana Marrier seconded it.  Approved 4-0.  One abstained.  Ellen Coffel and Becky McCauley decided to meet with Pat Beers on Wednesday August 11 to discuss the details of the sign.  Ellen Coffel reported that the National Night Out went really well.  Ellen Coffel mentioned that it would be really nice to have had a microphone for hearing the calling of the prizes better.  Some of the prizes were 6 bikes, and other wonderful prizes and giveaways.  Dana Marrier mentioned that the fire department did a terrific presentation.  Sheriff Pat Medere arrived with the D.A.R.E. car.  Bessie Casper from Caspers Leather presented over 40 free leather bracelets.  4H was here with pets and free face painting. 

Recreation:  Doug Mericle is meeting with Mel Holmquist on Monday August 16, 2004 to discuss the details of the free park benches.  There have unfortunately been some problems with the rest room.

Fire:  Ellen Coffel is going to get a copy of the signed fire contract from Robin Heinle for the City of Warba.  Liz Austin took over for Harold Madsen and will be contacting Amy Marrier with some challenges needing to be worked out.

Cemetery:  Gary Hildreth and Jill Hawk are the new members of the cemetery board.  

Other:  Amy Marrier reported that she spends approximately 22 hours on her position per month not including year end. 

Correspondence:  LMC 2004 annual report was shared with the council.  Northland foundation wanted to know if we wanted to receive their publications.  Council decided that they did want to receive the publication.  Itasca County Sheriffs department asked that the city have a plan of any new developments regarding the plat map be turned into them as soon as possible for 911 reasons.  Arrowhead Regional Development Tax Budget Levy sent the proposal of new taxes.  Complimentary tickets to the State Fair were sent to anyone on council whom would be interested in going.  There will be a BBQ with fair officials, business leaders and fellow council.  Council received a letter from LMC regarding local government aid distribution based on legislative intent.  A request came in from Gene Valnes for a ½ reimbursement on new sidewalk material in front of the post office.  The cost entailed will be approximately $2000.  Amy Marrier will contact the League of MN Cities regarding the sidewalk.  Discussion was tabled.  2005 local government aid notice was sent to the City of Warba equaling $12,115.  First call for help updated information was sent to say if we had any changes to make them and get it back to them as soon as possible.  Information came from Woldorf Pump for Utility. 

Old Business: none  

New Business:  The LMC sent out OSHA safety information.  Dana Marrier discussed a seminar that will be held in Duluth from October 10-12.  Discussion on joint powers, and land use, changing health care trends and the top human resource issues.  Dana Marrier read the filing notice for the affidavits of candidacy.  Ellen Coffel has two projects; one is starting a fundraiser for purchasing Christmas Decorations.  We need 8 decorations at $289 each for a total of $2312 for all of the decorations plus $160 in shipping.  Ellen read a letter written to ask for donated fund raising monies.  Becky McCauley made a motion for Ellen Coffel to start the Christmas decoration fund and Doug Mericle seconded it.  Approved 5-0.  Ellen Coffel also discussed the LMC regional meeting that she attended.  Ellen Coffel brought up some of the highlights of the meeting including what a meth lab is and looks like.  Ellen Coffel spoke of the extreme expenses of cleaning up meth labs.  Ellen Coffel spoke of another interesting topics regarding the fire department. As an advisory board, The fire department cannot have their own checkbook; it has to be run by a government such as Warba, Feeley, or Sago, unless they change their structure to a joint powers board as previously discussed.   Ellen Coffel also spoke of the alcohol response policy.  Many interesting points regarding the fire department were discussed.                

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

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted, Amy Marrier