February
12, 2007
The
Warba city council meeting was called to order by
Mayor Don Hawk at 6:35 pm. The pledge of
allegiance was said. Council members Pat
Gilsvik and Cheri Dombrovski
were present as well as Clerk, Niki Mistelske, and Treasurer, Tami Elich. Jon Richardson was absent. Minutes were discussed and a motion was made
by Pat, seconded by Cheri to accept. Approved 4-0. Treasurer’s report was read. A motion by Niki, seconded by Don to
accept the treasurer’s report. Approved 4-0. Bills
were read and a motion by Don, seconded by Pat to pay the bills. Approved 4-0.
OPEN DISCUSSION: Kraig Dibb, Chair of Northern Lights Charter School, and several
residents were present to participate in discussion regarding the sale of two
city lots located behind the school. One
resident voiced concerns about why the city has decided to sell now and felt
this decision placed unfair pressure on the school or eliminated them from the
process because of their current status.
It was clarified that sale of these lots has been discussed numerous
times in the past and that, should NLCS be interested in the purchase of the
property, terms are negotiable. Amy
Marrier presented a Market Analysis for the sale of the lots and Kraig Dibb stated NLCS is
interested in purchasing them. Don made
a motion to have the property listed for $39,900 with Amy as dual agency and
granting NLCS first right of refusal until May 1, 2007. Seconded by Niki. Approved 4-0. A
resident also voiced concerns about a house in town that had been condemned by
the MN Health Department. The resident
was assured that no such action had been taken against any home within the
City. The MN Health Department would
issue a notice to the City if any such action were taken.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Utility: We have received a signed contract for water
tower cleaning, but there has been no further contact. Ken Seibert gave an update on the water line
break at the motel and water usage to assist with the fire fighting efforts at
the old Goodland Post Office. The water
line break at the motel pumped approximately 35,000 gallons of water into the
ditch. The Goodland fire required running
both water pumps to keep up with the needs of the various fire departments. A
resident also requested sanding where the motel water line break overflow had
been for safety purposes. Tami also questioned what billing procedures should
be for Fred Bohn’s residence. He is no
longer in his home, but there is no accessible water shut off. Council agreed no further water/sewage
billing should go out to Fred until he returns home.
Community Center: Pat spoke with Kraig
to clarify ownership of the organ currently being stored in the Community
Center and establish when it would be removed.
It was acknowledged that the organ has been accepted as a donation to
NLCS and agreed it would be taken to the school after their upcoming renovation
project is completed. Book readings will
be tried out as a new activity at the Community Center,
no date has yet been set for the first reading.
It was also announced that the Warba Food
Shelf will be closing the end of March and all donations will be transferred to
other food shelf sites.
Recreation: Cheri reported the ice rink will not be
flooded this year. It is late in the
season and the weather has been too unpredictable.
Fire: Don attended the Fire Dept. meeting held Jan.
30 and presented a copy of their annual financial statement to the City
Council. The Fire Dept. also requested
the purchase of a Dell Computer through the City in order to obtain a better
purchase price. Dana Marrier stated he
had done some work on the Fire Dept. computer to resolve some of their issues,
so a new computer may no longer be needed.
Council decided to table further discussion until results of the current
computer changes were known.
Cemetery: There
will be a walk through and Cemetery Board meeting in April.
Other: Tami informed the Council that a CD owned by
the City had matured and questioned what should be done with the investment
money. Don made a motion to move the
money to the general fund until interest rates could be investigated and an
informed decision made. Seconded by Cheri. Approved 4-0. Tami
also informed the Council that Bob Zahn would no
longer handle the City’s investments through Edward Jones. Christina Clark will represent the City and
will attend March Council meeting.
Correspondence: Reports
were received from the Itasca County Sheriff’s Dept. summarizing the number and
type of calls for service, a letter from Eldercircle
regarding SCSEP positions, the League of MN 2007 Policies Manual, Notice of
Special Primary Election for Third Commissioner District, and various reports
to be filled out and returned: Itasca
Co. Report of Outstanding Indebtedness, MN 4th Qtr. Unemployment, IRS 4th Qtr.
Withholdings, Fire Equipment Certification for State Fire Aid and insurance
renewal applications for City Workman’s Comp. and Liability. A “brownfields”
seminar will be held at various locations the end of February. Niki requested
mileage reimbursement to attend seminar.
Don made a motion to reimburse Niki for
mileage to attend brownfield seminar. Seconded by Pat. Approved 4-0.
Old Business: Only one bid was received for sidewalk snow
plowing. This bid was $150 per time by a
licensed/insured business. After
discussion Niki made a motion to accept Dana Marrier’s offer of interim plowing at $50 per time. This plowing to consist of one pass each way when snowfall is in excess of two inches or
upon call. This will be in effect until
a local vendor can be obtained. Seconded by Pat. Approved 4-0. Local
inquiries are to be referred to Niki. No bids were received for legal
representation for the City. The Council
decided to contact John Licke before designating
legal representation.
New Business: Niki brought up
concerns regarding the Canisteo Pit and proposals to divert overflow into Trout
Lake/Swan River. There were no
volunteers to participate in related meetings.
Don offered to monitor discussion on the issue. Discussion on records disposition tabled
until March meeting. Discussion
on vote for acting mayor. Niki made a motion to designate Pat Gilsvik
as acting mayor. Seconded
by Don. Approved
4-0.
A
motion was made by Pat to adjourn the meeting.
Seconded by Cheri. Approved 4-0.
Respectfully
submitted,
Niki Mistelske - City Clerk