May 12, 2021 at 5:00 PM - Council Meeting Agenda

Discussion:  Mayor Eaton opened the Public Hearing regarding the Catering liquor license application for Oak Street Market.

Discussion:  Ryan Ekberg was in attendance to request the council take action on the properties at 109 and 111 W 3rd St. Ekberg stated the building is falling in, an eyesore to the public, and the Ekberg family is interested in expanding Lazy Acres Decor and Floral. After further discussion, the council agreed to reconvene the Board of Health and start the process to either make the necessary repairs or condemn the building.

Discussion:  Craig Reinsch addressed the council on behalf of Olsson to discuss the three bids the City recently received for equipment procurement on the Water Treatment Plant Project. Reinsch went over Olsson's scoring system they used to grade the bids obtained from Layne, Tonka, and WesTech. Reinsch said that based on the metrics they applied to the bids, WesTech scored 120 out of 130 points possible, versus 115 scored by Tonka and 113 to Layne. There was brief discussion on the difference between treating water with gas chlorine versus potassium permanganate, or a combination of the two. Reinsch stated if the council were to accept the bid from WesTech, the timeline for the equipment to be delivered to the new Water Treatment Plant site would likely be mid 2022.

Discussion:  The council discussed two bids for asphalt overlay on the original stretch of the Trail on the levee and the asphalt loop immediately east of the Swimming Pool. Administrator Litchfield advised the council that if they were to accept the lower bid from Knife River they could start immediately. There was brief discussion about asking the contractor to provide a bid to overlay certain bad stretches of asphalt streets throughout town.

Discussion:  Mayor Eaton conducted the second reading of Ordinance 4-2021, confirming the sale of certain City-owned real estate to Riewer Properties, LLC, and to establish an effective date.

Discussion:  The council then discussed a Power Cost Adjustment to recover a portion of the costs assessed to the City due to the February extreme demand event. The options that were debated were charging citizens 50% or 75% of the $1,185,290 total bill, and payback periods of two or four years. After extensive discussion, the council advised City staff contact the larger electric users in town and work with them on the forecast of what future bills would potentially look like with a 50% payback over a two-year period.

Discussion:  The council discussed amending Chapter 3 of the Municipal Code pertaining to the Water Department. Ordinance 6-2021 would update some language and change the billing date in the code. Council member Val Bard then introduced Ordinance 6-2021, amending certain provisions of Chapter 3, Article 1, of the Municipal Code pertaining to the Water Department; and providing an effective date. Mayor Eaton then conducted the first reading of Ordinance 6-2021.
 

Discussion:  The council then discussed Ordinance 7-2021, and the timeline on the construction process. Attorney Lee advised the council that the purchase agreement requires the buyers to file a building permit no later that May 7, 2022. Hansen then introduced Ordinance 7-2021, confirming the sale of certain City-owned real estate to Jody Denney and Jessie Vermilyea, and to establish an effective date. Mayor Eaton then conducted the first reading of Ordinance 7-2021.

Discussion:  Rich and Rita Fendrick were present to request assistance from the council. One of their properties recently had a water leak, and they asked the council to allow them to pay the water bill in installments, and waive the sewer bill altogether.

Discussion:  The council then discussed assisting with the fees to take the American Red Cross. Several lifeguard candidates have expressed difficulty in paying the $165.00 course fee due to hardships. There was brief discussion on assessing a repayment penalty if a lifeguard either failed the course or failed to work for the entire summer.

Discussion:  Mayor Eaton then updated the council on future land development. Eaton stated Council member Soderberg and he had talked with several property owners that have land adjacent to the City, and they would like to follow up with them before taking any action.

Discussion:  The council briefly discussed the job description for the City Administrator position. Council member Soderberg requested the Finance Committee and office staff draft a description to bring back for council approval at the regular June Council meeting prior to advertising. 

Discussion:  The council briefly discussed coffee with the council. Council Member Larry Soderberg agreed to find some dates that work and advertising those dates and locations to the public.