Warba City Council Meeting
December
12, 2005
The Warba City Council was called to order at 6:30 pm. The pledge of allegiance was read. Present were Don Hawk, Niki Mistelke, Ellen Coffel, Dana Marrier, and Becky McCauley. Absent was Amy Marrier. Minutes were discussed and Dana Marrier made a motion to accept. Ellen Coffel seconded the motion to accept the minutes. Approved 4-0. Becky McCauley explained that $7,113.00 received in 2004 was never paid to the fire department relief fund. The Treasurer’s report was read. Ellen Coffel made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report and Niki Mistelski seconded it. Approved 4-0. Becky McCauley said she would look into better rates for savings and checking for next month. Dana Marrier secondeded the motion. Approved 4-0.
UTILITY: Brian Borgman told the Council that if a report comes from the DNR concerning pumping rates, and the fee is based on water used, call him ASAP. Brian Borgman and Tim Satrang will need more time to complete the report than last year.
NORTHERN LIGHTS COMMUNITY SCHOOL: Dave Hagman and John Komarek gave an update of the school. Dave Hagman said that it was a busy month at the school with 80 students enrolled and many activities taking place.
John Komarek expressed interest in working with the school. He built workstations for students out of doors. Now wiring is to be done for the computers, but it is a good step forward to give students their own workspace. Presentation night is at 5 PM on Thursday and the community is invited. John Komarek say that there is much to be done at the school and has talked to Phil Strom, who suggested he talk to the Warba City Council. John Komarek would like to take a lead toward making better functioning building. Niki Mistelske said that attorney, Chad Sterle, had personal issues, so they haven’t talked yet, but will in a couple of weeks. Dana Marrier stated that the city initially had environmental concerns – asbestos and a underground fuel tank. Dave Hagman said that the asbestos has been removed and that Bob Berghamer said he would have the tank out this spring. Bob Berghamer is having major medical problems right now, so there is a delay there also. Dave Hagman’s next issue is the use of the basement. A sprinkler is needed before it can be utilized. More lease aid comes with increase in space like the basement. There is no funding up front for improvements. Niki Mistelske said it will be a long process, but the City of Warba is still moving ahead. John Komarek would like to buy the school and put money into it. John Komarek thinks he could do a better job and faster as a private investor. He may want the city to give him the attached land that can be used for the community garden and some tax relief. Niki would like to see an active owner. Dana Marrier asked, “what if we hired John Komarek?” Don Hawk wanted to know what is in it for the City of Warba if we backed out of the process of purchasing the school. Niki Mistelske doesn’t want to commit to a huge debt load to the city and thinks a private owner would be time to be reviewed by the Council and give it to Becky McCauley.
Dave Hagman said he would like to use the Community Center for a lunch program. One third of the students are to receive free or reduced lunches. Dave Hagman would pick up the food in the morning and bring it back at the end of the day. Meals would be served from 11:30 to 1:00 pm. The Council would have to determine a rate for use of the Community Center. Ellen Coffel will get back to the Council on the price/rate.
Dave Hagman was told that Brian Anderson would be at the Feeley Hall at 5:00 PM on December 19 to discuss a walking trail. Someone from the school should attend if interested in the project.
ZONING: Niki Mistelske has not made copies of the zoning rules, so it was tabled.
COMMUNITY CENTER: The motor for the furnace was replaced at a cost of $220.57. Dana Marrier called Frontier and it didn’t sound like it would be financially sound to install a pay phone. Dana Marrier will do some additional follow up on the phone.
RECREATION: A meeting was held on Saturday. Lori Hamm was supposed to meet with Becky McCauley to talk to students at the school to see if they wanted to work at the rink and if they could maintain it during the day. The warming house will be open from 4 to 8 PM with a timer on the lights. It will be open on weekends with no rink attendant. The city does have insurance coverage.
FIRE: A $93,000.00 grant was received from FEMA if each fire department entity (Warba, Feeley, Sago) puts in $3,100.00 for person protection equipment. Dale Slettom, Rodney Leppanen and Don Hawk wrote the grant. Calendars were given out to the households for donations.
CEMETERY: There is nothing new to report.
OTHER: The DNR said that the coyote in town could be shot because it is not protected.
CORRESPONDENCE: A letter was received from the Office of the State Auditor about the Minnesota Housing and Finance funds of homes and a letter from Positively Minnesota regarding DEED.
OLD BUSINESS: The fireman’s relief fund had to possibly forfeit about $7,000 of 2005 relief because a report want filed on time. The post office is on e inspection away from having the lobby open 24 hours a day. Ellen Coffel has worked hard on the process. The liquor license signatures were made to renew the license. Ellen Coffel would like to do Christmas Carols next year.
Ellen Coffel made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Don Hawk seconded it. Approved 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Becky McCauley, Treasurer