Warba City Council Meeting 

October 18, 2004

The Warba City Council Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.  The pledge of allegiance was read.  Members present all, Doug Mericle, Ellen Coffel, Becky McCauley, Lois Holmes, Dana Marrier, and Amy Marrier.  Minutes were discussed and a motion by Doug Mericle and seconded by Becky McCauley to accept the minutes.  Approved 5-0.  Treasurer’s report was read and a motion by Ellen Coffel and seconded by Doug Mericle to accept the treasurer’s report.  Approved 5-0.  Bills were read and Ellen Coffel made a motion to pay the bills and Becky McCauley seconded it.  Approved 5-0.

UTILITY:  Ken Seibert reported that MN Rural Water did check the water level in the tower and made the appropriate recommendations so it would not freeze.  Ken Seibert asked about the beaver problem in the sewer ponds.  Dana Marrier is having Jerry Carey trap the beavers to prevent them from damming up the culverts for the sewer.  There is a security cage set up now on the wellhead to prevent civil tampering and Ken Seibert asked permission to buy locks for various locations on the well equipment.  Ken Seibert asked to also purchase fuel stabilizer for some of the engine equipment for the city and to purchase light bulbs for the community center.  Council gave Ken Seibert permission to make the purchases.  The hour meter is working well.  The Pollution Control Inspection on the sewer ponds went good.  The City is well within our means of current capacity on the ponds.  Dana Marrier asked Ken Seibert to find someone to trap muskrats for $10 a head and Jerry Carey will trap beavers for $25 a head. 

ZONING:  Meeting was held in September and there will be a meeting next week for the month of October. 

COMMUNITY CENTER:  Pat Beers reported that the materials came to more than she thought they would for the sign for the community center so the project has not started yet.  A motion was made by Ellen Coffel seconded by Doug Mericle to contribute $100 to the Warba Halloween party now and a maximum of $200 when all bills have been submitted.  Approved 5-0. 

RECREATION:  A check will be cut for $50 towards the Halloween Party from Recreation.  Good job on the planning of the Halloween party goes out to Nancy Foley and others.

FIRE:  Nothing to report.

CEMETERY:  Fall meeting is October 28, 2004 at 6:00 p.m.

OTHER:  Discussion on community center rental rates took place and Ellen Coffel proposed a new rental rate sheet to take effect 1/1/05.  Ellen Coffel is going to make revisions and represent it next in November.  Ellen Coffel was able to raise over $2500 for Christmas decorations for the city streets of Warba.  Warmest thanks to all of the generosity of the citizens and beyond the City of Warba for their kindness and donations towards this incredible project.  Special thanks to Ellen Coffel for gathering the donations and sending the many letters for donations. 

Becky McCauley made a motion and Dana Marrier seconded it to recess meeting and begin the public hearing regarding the Job Opportunity Building Zone Program.

Dana Marrier resumed the city council meeting at 7:50 p.m.

CONTINUE OTHER:  Tax Free Zone Update:  Dana Marrier mentioned again about the company that was interested in moving into the tax free zone.  The company inquired if the lots behind the school are available.  2004-8 Resolution was made by Doug Mericle and seconded by Dana Marrier to accept the Job Opportunity Building Zone Program.  

CORRESPONDENCE:  The City received a letter from the State of MN Office of the State Auditor regarding some necessary revision on the information mailed in from the fire department.  The new reporting and publishing requirement for the 2004 City financial statements booklet arrived.  The renewal license for the Warba Liquor Store was mailed to the city to be addressed.  The MN Department of Health sent an emergency notification system and update of emergency contact information to be called in for the city.  The MN Pollution Control Agency sent forms to be filled out regarding the sewer ponds.  The LMC sent their annual information packet.  Iron Range Resources sent an application to cover up to 50% of project costs for certain types of projects.  The LMC sent information regarding Standby Related Overtime Payments and the 2005 Draft Legislative Policies.  Dana mentioned the Opera program, which is road, related.

OLD BUSINESS:  Sidewalk in front of the Post Office was tabled until the November meeting.   

NEW BUSINESS:  Shallow Lake Association got a grant for a feasibility study to have sewer and water on shallow lake.  Ellen Coffel discussed the fact that she was trying to get the post office to extend their hours.  Ellen Coffel proposed that the city attempt to get time locks for the post office doors for the citizens of Warba that cannot pick up their mail by 3:30 p.m. and work Saturday.  Dana Marrier asked Ken Seibert to call Lake Country Power to fix any streetlights that are out in the City.  Amy Marrier mentioned that she spoke with Don Walstrom regarding the city lots behind the elementary school.   Doug Mericle made a motion to sell the lots behind the school.  There was no second.  After much discussion it was decided that the lots in question may possibly be for sale but the council would need a business plan to be brought forward first.  For the right kind of project these lots may be available.  Amy Marrier will tell Don Walstrom that depending on his project proposal, the lots might be sold for approximately the appraised value in the range of $36,000 to $40,000. 

Dana Marrier called for adjournment of the council meeting at 9:50 p.m.  Ellen Coffel made a motion to adjourn and Becky McCauley seconded it. 

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted, Amy Marrier