Warba City Council Meeting 

March 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.  Pat made a correction that no date had been set for the first book reading at the Community Center.  A motion was made by Pat,   seconded by Cheri to accept with corrections.  Approved 4-0.  Treasurer’s report was read.  A motion by Pat,  seconded by Niki to accept the treasurer’s report.  Approved 4-0.  Bills were read with a last minute hand written addition to the Claims form for reimbursement payment from the DNR  to the local Fire Dep’t for response to a Wawina grass fire.  A motion by Don, seconded by Pat to pay the bills with the hand written addition.  Approved 4-0.  

 

OPEN DISCUSSION:     Kraig Dibb, Chair of Northern Lights Charter School, was present to update the City of Warba on the schools progress in preparing to negotiate on the City lots currently up for sale.  Kraig stated a holding company is in the process of being formed.  This holding company would have the ability to make purchases.  Lease Aid discussions are also currently underway which may be helpful to NLCS for leasing the lots until purchase can be completed.  Amy Marrier presented necessary forms to begin the negotiation process for signature by the Mayor and Clerk.  Christina Clark, the City of Warba’s new investment agent for Edward Jones, introduced herself to the Council and presented a variety of investment options for CD’s that have recently or are soon to be matured.  The Council requested more detailed information on the Capitol World Growth & Income Fund recommended and detailed information on environmentally friendly (green) investments.  Further action on investments was tabled until the Council has received and had an opportunity to review the requested material.   

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

        

Utility:  Ken said he was contacted by the company contracted to clean the water tower.  They will be available to do the cleaning late April or early May.  Tami will include information regarding the water tower cleaning along with the April water bills.  The exact date of the cleaning will be posted at the Warba Post Office and Community Center as soon as it is known.  Ken also requested the City of Warba pay the $115.00 registration fee for his attendance at the Water Operators course sponsored by the MN AWWA School to be held April 25 – 27.  The fee includes testing for licensure.  A motion was made by Niki, seconded by Pat for the City of Warba to pay the $115.00 fee for Ken to attend the course.  Approved 4-0.  Tim Satrang, waste water advisor, clarified that the quarterly bacteriological sample in question had been sent to the MN Dep’t of Health.  Niki questioned for billing purposes in what areas of City business Ken will use David Carey’s assistance as a part-time City employee.  It was agreed David’s wages would come out of the Enterprise (Utility) Fund.                     

 

Community Center:  Pat said Don Lloyd was a gracious City volunteer.  He did a variety of repairs in the Community Center.  She will send him a Thank You card on behalf of the City of Warba.  He also volunteered to make 3 cigarette receptacles to be placed at various locations around the Community Center at a cost to the City of $56.00 for materials cost reimbursement.  Pat made a motion, seconded by Cheri for the City to pay Don Lloyd $56.00 for 3 cigarette receptacles for the Community Center.  Approved 3-0 with Don abstaining.  She also reported a problem with various kitchen items disappearing and that the Community Center currently has 3 bookings for the month of April…one for a Spaghetti Feed open to the public to be hosted by NLCS.  The monies from the Spaghetti Feed will be used to send 7 NLCS students to London in May.  The date for the event is not yet certain.  Tami mentioned that Music Night rental fees for the last 2 events are short or unpaid.  At Pat’s request, Tami also agreed to include community event flyers with water bill mailings.        

 

Recreation:  Nothing to report at this time.    

 

Fire:  The next meeting will be held April 21.  Tami passed on a request for clarification from Warren Spawn regarding billing for workman’s comp and workman’s comp dividends for the Fire Dep’t.  City clarification and corrections will be made.    

 

Cemetery:   Nothing to report at this time.

         

Other:   Tami questioned the Council regarding a decision on the Community Center long term maintenance CD – if a decision had been made on reinvesting.  The Council requested information on investments available through other sources.  The matter was tabled until the Council had received and had time to review the requested information.  . 

 

Correspondence:  Notice from the MN Public Facilities Authority of intent to amend rules pertaining to Dep’t. of Employment & Economic Development revolving funds loans and interest rates, a request from the US Census Bureau for Clerk/Mayor update information and an invitation to attend a 2010 Census Program Workshop, a notice from the IRS informing of change from quarterly withholding to annual until further notice, a request for State Surplus signature update, MN rules regarding elevators and related devices, an Enbridge Pipeline update on future construction, LMC registration for 2007 Legislative Conference, State Auditor Local Government Lobbying Expenditure form for 2006.  To Ken:  notice of mosquito control workshop, info on U of MN courses on gravel road maintenance & design, notice of MnDOT District One Utility Co-ordination meeting and notice of a Safety & Loss Workshop.

      

Old Business:  Niki’s update on City bids:  no further bids have been received for snow removal on sidewalks.  John Licke was contacted as a potential candidate for City legal representation.  John submitted a proposal and will attend the April Council meeting to answer any questions regarding his proposal.  Niki had the flu and was unable to attend the Brownfield workshop.  The Council discussed the MN Dep’t of Administration’s Schedule for Records Retention.  Niki made a motion, seconded by Pat for the City to adopt the MN Dep’t of Administration’s Schedule for Records Retention and that only the City Clerk have authorization for records disposal.  Approved 4-0.   Don gave an update on activity regarding the Canisteo Pit – Tom Anzelec (DFL-Balsam Township) is promoting legislation providing $3.4 million for the Canisteo Mine Outflow Project.  Niki questioned impact on water quality from the Canisteo Pit if designated for the coal gasification project.  

 

New Business:  The Council discussed the options available for renewing the grading/plowing contract with Itasca County.  An option now available to the City is road dusting.  Warba currently has 3 miles of road graded once monthly at an annual cost of $1800.  Niki brought up the option of having the 1.2 miles of city streets dusted instead of monthly grading.  This would bring summer road maintenance cost to $3700.  Discussion was held regarding dusting methods/hazards.  Cost/value.  Since the City has until April 14 to finalize the contract, the Council decided to table a decision until the April meeting to give time to investigate any questions or concerns.

 

Announcements:  Cheri announced that meetings are currently scheduled to consider options for maintaining a food shelf here in Warba.  Meeting time and place is posted at the Warba Post Office.  All interested residents are welcome to attend.    

 

A motion was made by Niki to adjourn the meeting.  Seconded by Cheri.  Approved 4-0.

 

Respectfully submitted, 

Niki Mistelske - City Clerk