Warba City Council Meeting 

 November 14, 2005   

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 Ellen Coffel to accept the minutes as corrected.  Seconded by Don Hawk.  Approved 5-0. Treasurer’s report was read.  A motion was made by Dana Marrier seconded by Niki Mistelske to accept the treasurer’s report.  Approved 5-0.  Bills were read and a motion was made by Ellen Coffel, seconded by Don Hawk to pay the bills.  Approved 5-0.

UTILITY:  Ken Seibert reported that Northern 2-Way is looking into a different device to get the siren to work.  Dana Marrier asked about getting a device that we could control from right here in Warba which will be a back up plan for the time being.  The water report came back with some requests that Brian Borgman mentioned had already been taken care of.  Ken Seibert said that the storm shelter had cigarette butts around it and asked if it could be locked now for the winter.  Council approved to lock it for the season.  

ZONING:  Niki Mistelske read through the zoning book and materials and is in the process of editing the materials into proper format.  Niki Mistelske is hoping that she would have this completed by the next council meeting.  The zoning material is approximately sixty pages in length.   

COMMUNITY CENTER:  Becky McCauley phoned Dana Marrier to report that the heat was not functional on Saturday the 12th of November.  Dana Marrier mentioned that we should go ahead and have the furnace cleaned and serviced.  Ellen Coffel said that she would put up the Christmas tree in the Community Center.  Becky McCauley said that the school has rented that Community Center and would like the city to consider a discount or trade off for use of the school.  Ellen Coffel stated that other groups have been able to use the Community Center for free and we should consider free use for student assessment.  Dana Marrier stated that the people whom should pay the rent should be private and not public groups such as the school.  Dana Marrier stated that he was curious as to what the charge would be to turn the city phone into a public pay phone.  Dana Marrier is going to call Bob Rydel from Wawina to gather more information.     

RECREATION:  Don Hawk has not been able to meet with the recreation board yet. 

FIRE:  Nothing new to report.   

CEMETERY:  Becky McCauley reported that the cemetery is running low on dollars in their account.  The board requested the raising of the dues from $750 to $1000.  Ellen Coffel made a motion to raise the dues from $750 to $1000, seconded by Don Hawk.  Approved 5-0.  The board is trying to recover their costs by have some increases.  Becky McCauley mentioned that the map was updated for the cemetery as well.  New benches were installed and look terrific.  Deeds were raised to $46 from $19.50 enforced by Itasca County.  

OTHER:   Regarding the treasurers’ report, Ellen Coffel asked if we couldn’t possibly put some of the Community Center dollars into savings.  Becky McCauley is going to observe the account and possibly move some monies to savings in the future.  Dana Marrier asked Becky McCauley to look into a higher rate interest account on savings.  Amy Marrier mentioned that the Administration door has been left open that she has noticed, twice in the last month.  Dana Marrier mentioned that there have been sightings of a coyote in Warba.  Possibly the DNR could step in and relocate the animal.  Ken Seibert is going to contact the DNR and look into this matter.  Dana Marrier talked with the postmaster and she mentioned that the building could be left open later hours but someone would have to go every night and lock the door.  Dana Marrier stated that the police officer from Floodwood talked with him about getting a local police officer for Warba.  Ellen Coffel mentioned that she had called the county and the monies within the county comes out of the general fund for police officers.                                                

CORRESPONDENCE:  A letter was received from the League of MN Cities to update our City information and Amy will pass it around at the meeting, LMC sent the annual 2006 Draft Legislative Policies, a letter was received from the MN Department of Labor and Industry regarding plans and specification on plumbing for the Northern Lights Community School, an informational letter was sent out from Enbridge regarding knowing your pipeline, Minnesota Benefit Association sent out the 2006 MBA Scholarship Program for Minnesota Public Employees, a bankruptcy notice was sent regarding Timothy John Robinson, Office of the State Auditor sent out an updated version of CTAS, the National Association of Cities sent a Municipal Information Update form to be completed, a letter was received from the Minnesota Department of Building Codes & Standards Division of notice of an elevator being installed at the Buske home on Shallow Lake, the MN Dept. of Health sent a letter stating that the city passed the water tests regarding copper content, notice was received of a conference being held November 16 and 17 at the Radisson Suite Hotel in St. Cloud regarding, “Growing with Gigabits,” Minnesota Department of Health sent a report regarding recent water tests and stated that the tests were normal and no deficiencies observed, Lorman education services sent an invitation to a training regarding Zoning and Land Use in Minnesota to be held in St. Cloud on January 27th, the Department of Natural Resources sent a letter for the 2006 Grant Application Round with an application request form, some council members  received a letter from Blue Cross Blue Shield regarding a 1998 settlement with the tobacco industry resulting in trying to reduce tobacco use.

OLD BUSINESS:  The items from behind the school have not been addressed yet.  Niki Mistelske reported on the Brownfield program and gave all council members packet of information on the process of Brownfield.  Brownfield sites are vacant, abandoned, or underutilized, industrial or commercial properties where reuse and/or redevelopment is hindered by known or suspected environmental contamination.  Niki Mistelske recommended that we look into the old dump site and have it evaluated under the Brownfeild program.  Council agreed that it was a good idea.  Niki Mistelske asked for a go ahead from Council to look into the project.  Ellen Coffel made a motion for Niki Mistelske to look into this program further, and Dana Marrier seconded it.  Approved 5-0.  Dave Hagman from Northern Lights Community School came and gave council an update as to the progress of the school and students and current projects in the works.  James Lewhicky and Doug Thomas have been advisories for the school and have been very helpful.  December 15 will be presentation time for the students and their current projects.  Kevin Krautkramer has done a terrific job fixing up the school and taking care of the repairs that needed attention.  Dave Hagman said the school lunch program is still a challenge for the school.  The school is also looking into a hot breakfast program in addition to the hot lunch program.  Dana Marrier asked how the building upgrades were coming.  Dave Hagman said the cubbies and coat racks were completed, the ceiling was repaired, there is a heater blowing in the garage now and 3 other furnaces have been installed, the asbestos is being removed from the basement, and they are also working on student work stations.  Dave Hagman mentioned that one more furnace would be required for the basement.  Dave Hagman said there would be a study performed on mold content.  Environmental Troubleshooters is the name of the outfit that placed the bid on the underground oil tank removal.  Dave mentioned that once the asbestos is removed they would be able to have additional space for use in the basement.  The sprinkler system is still a challenge that needs to be addressed with bids of $24,000 and $34,000 to remedy.  The lease aid occupations are still in progress.  Dave Hagman said they are having challenges with a certificate of occupancy.  Amy Marrier will check with Don Dewy at the Itasca County Courthouse regarding the certificate of occupancy.  Dave Hagman announced that they have received $300,000 towards the school in grant funds.  The funds can only be used on equipment and materials for the students.   14 laptops were donated from ICC and much more continues to come in to the school.  Dana Marrier mentioned that if the school lunch program could take place, possibly some of the older folks could benefit with some local food service or meals on wheels.  Dana Marrier asked that Niki Mistelske and Amy Marrier stay on top of the possible purchase agreement on the school and to sit down and meet with Chad Sterle.          

NEW BUSINESS:  No new business was reported.

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

Respectfully submitted, 

Amy Marrier - City Clerk