Warba City Council Meeting 

May 08, 2006 

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

UTILITY:  The lift station is still getting plugged up and we still don’t know where it’s coming from.  Niki Mistelske mentioned that with the notice of the materials that shouldn’t go down the toilet on the back of the water bill, maybe people are not seeing it.  The burning around the sewer ponds will take place as soon as the burning ban is lifted.  Becky McCauley mentioned that she received an emergency call and was taken out of a meeting at her full time job to have John Sansburn’s water turned on.  The council discussed now having to require an advance notice of two weeks for water to be turned on and off.  With the passing of Jerry Carey, Dana Marrier asked Ken Seibert if he needed extra help for Utility.  Ken Seibert mentioned that quite a few people in the city have volunteered help to Ken Seibert.  The siren went off this last month.    

ZONING:  Keith and Jackie Essler attended the meeting asking about their water shut off to their home.  They brought a proposal to the city of a cost of $500.  The Essler’s are going to get a breakdown of the total cost to the city on the moving of the water line.  Don Hawk made a motion to pay half of the shut off relocation and Ellen Coffel seconded it.  Approved 5-0.  Niki Mistelske reported that she was almost done with the zoning material and when its completed she will be holding a meeting and inviting Julie Kennedy, Keith Armstrong, Doug Mericle and herself.  Tom and Denise Koran attended the meeting saying they were interested in putting in apartments in the old lumber building owned by Vitela Johnson.  They prepared a sight plan preliminary for council to review.  They discussed a parking plan and for now changing the building from one apartment to two apartments.  They would eventually like to put two more units in for a total of four units.  Council’s only challenge with the situation was parking and where the tenants would actually park.  Dana Marrier also mentioned that the Koran’s should definitely get locates before doing any digging.  Council mentioned that there would have to be off street parking for the tenants.  The Koran’s asked about being able to have up to 4 cars parked in the back of the building for now.  Council advised that as long as they followed State and County guideline so the plow could get through the alley they should be fine with four cars.   

COMMUNITY CENTER:  Jennifer Balzum reported that the cleaning for the community center has gone much better for the school lunch program.  Amy Marrier will review the cleaning supplies list with Jennifer Balzum and make sure there is a chart for floor cleaning by the mop filling area.  Fall of 2006 the council will review the usage of the cleaning supplies for the school lunch program.  Becky McCauley wanted to know if the council would be willing to consider switching out the tables with the school for a lighter weight table.  The discussion was referred to the community center committee.  Rodney Lantz will be getting a proposal to the council regarding waxing the community center floor.    

RECREATION:  Don Hawk mentioned that there was nothing to report.  Becky McCauley mentioned that she heard of a grant for the baseball field from the Minnesota Twins.  Becky McCauley also mentioned that the students of the school would like to paint the dug outs. 

FIRE:  Don Hawk reported that he went to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan meeting and he shared notes from the meeting with council.  Don Hawk talked to Pat Medure about the radio program and found out that there is a 5 year plan for monies for the radio equipment replacement.

CEMETERY:  Becky McCauley reported that she had a meeting last week.  The jail crew raked the cemetery May 1st.   Jill Hawk is working on the flags for the cemetery.  Frank Fairchild will be doing the mowing for the cemetery.  The cemetery is struggling money wise to keep up with the work that needs to be done.  The cemetery is looking for volenteers to help with odd jobs that need to be done.  Ellen Coffel will do the flowers around the cemetery.        

OTHER:  John Richardson mentioned that there are trees that are dying along the city street and need to be taken away before another might possibly land on someone’s home such as the one that fell on his home last fall.  Ken Siebert mentioned that he would call Lake Country Power and see what he could do.  Don Hawk asked how the purchase of the school was coming along.  It was reported that it is still moving forward.  The student count is now 99 out of a maximum of 105.  Dana Marrier mentioned that the school is constantly reaching out to the community and the community doesn’t seem to be responding the way they maybe should be.  Becky McCauley mentioned that there is presentation night and the Theme is Minnesota.  Becky McCauley mentioned that she thinks the presentation night is the 15th of June. 

CORRESPONDENCE:  :  A letter was received from the State regarding Fire Aid, letter from LMC regarding the 2006 State of the Cities Report, claim information on the dog bite reported by the fire department, The LMC Governance Handbook, the MN Dept. of Natural Resources sent a handbook on being a Conservation Volunteer. 

OLD BUSINESS:  Dana Marrier talked to Jim Nias regarding connecting to the wireless internet and Jim felt the internet would be up and running by the end of May.  Ellen Coffel mentioned that the city of Warba paid approximately 10% of their tax capacity, Feeley paid approximately 6% of their tax capacity and Sago paid approximately 7% of their tax capacity according to the Minnesota State Auditors website information regarding the Warba, Feeley, Sago Fire Department. 

NEW BUSINESS:  Dana Marrier mentioned that Cary and Dixie Tesmer asked about having a garage on their property.  The Tesmer’s gave Dana Marrier a copy of their building plans in which Dana shared with council.  Ellen Coffel mentioned that the tire shop is piling tires on the side of the building in viewable site.  Ken Siebert mentioned that the tires in his fence are the tires for resale and the others are to be picked up.   Ellen Coffel mentioned that she would talk to Kelly about the situation since it had been discussed years ago. 

A motion was made by Don Hawk, seconded by Niki Mistelske to adjourn the meeting.  Approved 5-0.                             

 Respectfully submitted, 

Amy Marrier - City Clerk