Warba City Council Meeting 

February 13, 2006

The Warba City Council meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.  The pledge of allegiance was read.  Present were Don Hawk, Niki Mistelske, Ellen Coffel, Dana Marrier and Becky McCauley.  Absent was Amy Marrier.  Minutes were discussed and a motion was made by Ellen Coffel to accept the minutes and a second to accept the minutes by Don Hawk.  Approved 4-0.  The Treasurer’s report was read.  Dana Marrier made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report and Niki Mistelski seconded it.  Approved 4-0.  Bills were read and a motion was made by Ellen Coffel to pay bills.  Dana Marrier seconded the motion.  Approved 4-0.

GUEST SPEAKER:  Julie Kennedy, from SHE, was invited by Amy Marrier to talk about zoning and our utility system.  She said that the median household income for Warba is $27,500.00.  The City would need funding if they put in a new sewer system.  The limit is 3,500 gallons per day in leakage in our system since it takes about two years to procure funding.  Julie said she would put together a report containing information about what it would cost and the available funding for no fee.  Julie stated that a more extensive report would be in the $5,000 to $7,000 range.  Julie also stated that wastewater should be a top priority.  Julie said that funding sources look at customers paying 1.7% of the median income which would be about $38.00 per month.  Julie stated that it is inevitable that the MPCA will force the city to comply and rates will increase.  Julie will put together a memo for the next meeting with approximate costs and steps in the process.  Julie said it was important to find out when the MPCA will make us fix the system. 

ZONING:  Julie Kennedy would like to look at our zoning when it is done because she dealt with LaPrairie zoning problems.  There is a zoning meeting in Cohasset from 1:00 to 6:00PM February 16, Thursday, concerning zoning.

UTILTIY:  Ken Seibert removed the outdoor winter lights and replaced the men’s toilet in the community Center.  The siren did not go off this month.  The County is changing radio systems.  Warren Tinker can’t work on the water tower until May. 

COMMUNITY CENTER:  The carter school has a refrigerator in the kitchen now.  Becky McCauley will tell the school lunch clean up crew that they need to do a better job cleaning.  Ken Seibert will fix the clock.  WE need better lighting in the front of the Community Center.  Ken will replace the current bulb with a larger one.

RECREATION:  The rink was flooded but it is not usable because it doesn’t hold water.  There is a meeting on the walking trail coming up to address placing the trail on the south side of Highway 2.

FIRE:  Ellen Coffel said she thought the mandatory training seminar “National Incident Management Systems” was not very good because it was hard to understand and the trainer didn’t seem to understand the material.  Don Hawk made a motion that Resolution 1-2006 entitled, “Designation of the National Incident Management System as the basis for all Incident Management in the City of Warba” was passed so the fire department can proceed with their grant.  Niki Mistelske seconded the motion.  All members were in favor of adopting, 4-0.  Don Hawk made a motion to adopt Resolution 2-2006 entitled, Promoting the use of Intrastate Mutual – Aid Agreements” and Niki Mistelske seconded it.  Adopted 4-0.

Niki Mistelske went to CRP training in Wawina.  A defib unit is needed to be used within 3 minutes of an attack for optimum effect.  Niki would like the defib unit here on Saturday nights when there is music.  Don Hawk said that there is enough trained emergency responders close enough to get here in time. 

CEMETERY:  The cemetery meeting is scheduled for February 23 and may be rescheduled.

OTHER:  Dana Marrier will follow up with the not having internet at the Community Center.

CORRESPONDENCE:  Dana Marrier made a motion to give Niki $.445/mile towards mileage to attend the Brownfield training on February 22 in Brainard.  Ellen Coffel seconded it.

OLD BUSINESS:  Niki Mistelske sent in the Brownfield summary application.   

Becky McCauley shared that interest for a six-month CD was 4.40% at Edward D. Jones, which is higher than the other CD’s that she found.  The one-year CD was 4.60%.  Dana Marrier made a motion to transfer $10,000. from the Enterprise Fund to a one year CD for 4.6%.  Ellen Coffel seconded it.

NEW BUSINESS:  The post office is open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week now, thanks to Ellen Coffel’s persistence.  The County Garage had 400 gallons of gas dumped on the ground because of a youth break in.  Also, the Northern Lights Community School had the same youth break in to their facility.  Dana Marrier will look into CTAS accounting system and getting 2 laptops for the Clerk and Treasurer.  Dell computers have some units for sale for $850 each.  The next meeting will be on March 13, 2006 at 6:30PM. 

Ellen Coffel made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Don Hawk seconded it.  Approved 4-0.

Respectfully submitted, 

Amy Marrier - City Clerk