Warba City Council Meeting 

August 8, 2005

The Warba city council meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm.  The pledge of allegiance was read.  Members present were Dana Marrier, Ellen Coffel, Becky McCauley, and Amy Marrier.  Niki Mistelske was absent and there is currently a vacant council position.  Minutes were discussed and a motion was made by Dana Marrier, and then seconded by Ellen Coffel.  Approved 3-0.  Treasurer’s report was read.  A motion by Amy Marrier, seconded by Ellen Coffel to accept the treasurer’s report.  Approved 3-0.  Bills were read and a motion by Ellen Coffel seconded by Dana Marrier to pay the bills.  Approved 3-0. 

GUESTS: 

Jerry Sandsburn attended the meeting to say that he called Greg Schmidt (DNR) 246-8343 regarding the fact that there were burning barrels in Warba.  Jerry Sandsburn was told that they were against DNR regulations and that the use must be discontinued.  Dana Marrier will talk to the people whom are using the barrels in town.  Dana Marrier explained to Mr. Sandsburn that if the barrel use continues after notification then the sheriff should be notified.  This information is to be posted on the door of the post office with postmaster approval. 

Ruth Tatter attended the meeting requesting to use the Community Center again this year for early childhood development.  The class would be from 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.  The classes will start the third week in September thru the month of April.  Mayor Marrier told Ruth we were happy host ECEF again this season.

Chad Sterle attended the city council meeting.  Chad Sterle reported that he contacted Mr. Berghammer and attempted to lower the purchase price for the school building.  Mr. Berghammer explained that he was unwilling to lower the purchase price and must receive the full asking price of $175,000.  Date of closing is to be November 1, 2005.  Chad explained that the current lease worked out between Northern Lights and Bob Bergstrom will not hold the City of Warba to what Bob Bergstrom agreed to do for the Northern Lights School.  Chad Sterle explained that there was language in the proposed agreement explaining that the City of Warba will not be responsible for any pollution control issues regarding the new Northern Lights School.  Chad Sterle requested that a $500 check be cut towards earnest money for the purchase of the school.  Ellen Coffel made a motion to cut a check of earnest money in the amount of $500 and Dana Marrier seconded it.  Approved 3-0    

UTILITY:   Ken Seibert reported that the siren is still not functional.  Dana Marrier expressed that he felt it was critical that the siren work and be functional. Dana Marrier asked Ken Seibert to get some pricing on a functional system.  Ken Seibert sprayed the cattails that were in the sewer pond.  Ken Seibert installed the new flow meter and it is functional.  Late bills go out on Wednesday August 10, 2005 for water and sewer. 

ZONING:  Jason Foley resigned and the position needs to be reassigned.  Ellen Coffel mentioned that Doug Mericle expressed interest in helping with this department.

COMMUNITY CENTER:  Ellen Coffel reported on another successful National Night Out.  The fire department donated 2 bikes, Feeley donated 2 bikes, and the Sheriffs Department donated life jackets, Ogles ice cream cups, McDonalds orange drink, Jerry & Donna Carey donated many prizes and giveaways, and various other prizes were given and donated by wonderful organizations.  Thanks again for all of the hard work put out and especially thanks to Ellen Coffel for organizing the event.  Dana Marrier mentioned that since Ellen Coffel will not be organizing the event next year maybe recreation or the new charter school could get involved with the event. 

RECREATION:  Jason Foley resigned and the position needs to be reassigned.   

FIRE:  The next meeting will be held October 3, 2005.

CEMETERY:  The next meeting will be held October 27 at 6:00 p.m.

OTHER:   Becky McCauley mentioned that there was a complaint about having to remove trash from the community center after an event.  There was discussion regarding a trash deposit when renting out the community center.  Ellen Coffel made a motion that there will be a $20 garbage deposit charge for renting out the Community Center.  Dana Marrier seconded the motion, approved 3-0.  

CORRESPONDENCE:  The city received documents to be posted from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency regarding reissuing the wastewater permit, the Itasca County Historical Society sent a letter requesting that the city donate $1 per person to the Society to help preserve it, Council decided that there would be no donation to the Itasca County Historical Society. A letter came from Minnesota Revenue with our local government aid notice certified in the amount of $14,619, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sent a letter regarding up to a $20 annual water use fee increase, and a  letter was received from the State Demographic Center regarding the cities current population being at 184 citizens and 80 households as of April 1, 2004.

OLD BUSINESS:  Niki Mistelske was unable to make the meeting but would like to discuss the Brownfields program with council at the September meeting.  Ellen Coffel will call Pat Beers to find out an estimated time of completion on the sign for the community center.  Ellen Coffel made a motion that Amy Marrier post the vacant council position at the post office, community center, and shallow lake store for anybody interested in finishing out the vacant councilperson’s term please attend the September 12 council meeting and Dana Marrier seconded it.  Approved 3-0.

NEW BUSINESS:  $182.41 was received from the Greenway Lions club for pull-tabs.  Becky McCauley reported that one half was distributed to Fire and one half to Recreation.  Becky McCauley reported that the school would like to know what the rental fee would be for the community center for lunches to be served.  Council discussed that the school would have to do the set up, tear down, clean up and take their own garbage and the fee would be $30 per day.  Ellen Coffel made a motion that we charge the school $30 per day with the understanding that they give us a schedule, set up, tear down, haul their own garbage, and clean up and Dana Marrier seconded it.  Approved 3-0.  Ellen Coffel asked who owned the van parked on Highway 2 and Ken Seibert said it was Bessie Casper’s or one of her family members.  Ellen Coffel mentioned that the lot next to Kelly McCauley needs to be mowed.  Dana Marrier asked Amy Marrier find out whom owns the lot and Ellen Coffel volunteered to call them.  Dana Marrier mentioned that he received a letter from the fair foundation and received a couple of tickets and asked if anyone would like the tickets to attend.          

A motion was made by Amy Marrier to adjourn the meeting seconded by Dana Marrier.  Approved 3-0.                          

Respectfully submitted, 

Amy Marrier - City Clerk