City of Red Lake Falls
City Council Meeting
March 28, 2016
Minutes
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Red Lake Falls, Red Lake County, Minnesota was duly held in the Council Chambers of said City on the 28th day of March, 2016.
Members Present: Kevin Harmoning, Neil Knaack, Sara Kenfield, Kevin Brevik, Cheryl Matzke
Members Absent: Allen Bertilrud
Others Present: Kathleen Schmitz, Delray Sparby, Carol Seeger, Joel Paulsen, Mitch Bernstein, Deb Derouin, Aaron Thibert, Mark Violette, Ryan Violette, Deb Fournier, Tyler Hagl, Marie Scott, Mark Erickson, Pat Fournier, Tom Derouin, Byron Wilson, Laurence Larson, Barb Larson, Greg Gervais, Deb Butler, Arick Broden
Mayor Kevin Harmoning called the meeting to order at 5:08 p.m.
Brevik moved, seconded by Knaack, to approve the Agenda moving 7.6 Renewable Energy Plan to 7.1 and striking 7.3 Flower Pots/Banners. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Brevik moved, seconded by Knaack, to approve the March 14, 2016 City Council Meeting minutes and March 14, 2016 Public Meeting Minutes as submitted. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Knaack moved, seconded by Matzke, to approve $9.00 per hour wage for new hire lifeguards. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Knaack moved, seconded by Matzke, to pay $12.00 per hour for two part-time managers at the pool. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Knaack moved, seconded by Matzke, to pay the three returning lifeguards $9.25 per hour. Opposed: Brevik, Harmoning (because they will make the same as returning guards by
Aug 1) MOTION CARRIED
Citizen’s Comments: none
Business:
Aaron Thibert reported on the Renewable Energy Plan for Juhl Energy. They are moving forward with MISO and POCO applications. A representative from the USDA came here last Friday and did a site visit. Next they will be filling out a construction work plan.
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Attorney Sparby talked to the League of MN Cities about forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and will continue to check into this. Mayor Harmoning added to the Agenda under 7.8 Miscellaneous – Set a Public Hearing Date for the EDA.
The next item of business is discussion and decision on the grinders of the original grinder owners group in the Klondike area of the City. Mayor Harmoning noted that at one point in our recent past our attorney came up with a grinder resolution that was never voted upon. We have heard the resident’s concerns. Attorney Sparby briefly explained the three choices from the sample resolution last February. 1) The City could agree to be responsible for grinders into perpetuity. 2) The City could put a time limit on their responsibility for grinders. 3) The City could set up a grinder district and maybe charge a monthly fee, and if a grinder needs replacing the City would replace it using funds from the monthly fees.
Klondike resident, Tom Derouin, asked about the electrical box and system on the house. That can have problems; would that be included in the grinder policy?
Byron Wilson noted that when the grinder plan was originally put through, it was kind of pushed down our throats. We were told that the City was going to take care of the grinders. If a Gravity Flow system had been put in we wouldn’t be here discussing this right now. A gravity flow system would last 100 years. (A gravity flow system was considered too costly compared to the grinders at that time.) Why would anyone in the Klondike take a grinder when they are only good for about 20-25 years and agree to grinders if they had to assume responsibility?
The Klondike residents in attendance were asked for a show of hands if they thought a $10 per month fee were charged for city maintenance of grinders. A majority raised their hands. That monthly fee would cover the grinder and electrical box. A flat monthly fee was discussed that would not go up when water and sewer rates go up each year. The fee wouldn’t start until the grinder resolution process is done. Additional grinder residents (not part of the original grinder grant group) will have to give the City easement rights to their grinders. The City will also have to give out specifications to which type of grinders a resident can install. What has not changed is that the home/property owner is still responsible from the grinder to their home.
The City will draft a resolution and all grinder owners will get a chance to see the resolution before it is put to a vote.
Brevik moved, seconded by Kenfield, to hold a first reading of the Natural Gas Franchise Agreement. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Kenfield moved, seconded by Matzke, to accept the final reading of the Parking Space Ordinance. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Harmoning moved, seconded by Kenfield, to approve the passage of Part 5, Section 905.05.01 Off-Street Automobile Storage of the City Ordinance. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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Matzke moved, seconded by Brevik, to accept, as to form, Resolution #03-01-2016 – Street Vacation and Storm Sewer Relocate. For: Brevik, Knaack, Kenfield, Matzke, and Harmoning. Absent: Bertilrud. Against: None. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Discussion was held about setting up an Economic Development Authority (EDA) for the Mall and Renewable Energy Project. We can establish one for both or set up two. We must first have a resolution calling for a Public Hearing on the question of establishing an EDA, followed by a Notice of Public Hearing, then an extract of meeting minutes introducing an enabling resolution establishing the EDA, then a resolution organizing the EDA of the City of Red Lake Falls and finally, setting up bylaws of the EDA.
Matzke moved, seconded by Brevik, to set a date for a Public Hearing for setting up an EDA for Monday, April 25, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Harmoning moved, seconded by Matzke, to table 7.3 Kankel Addition Lots. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Brevik moved, seconded by Matzke, to approve the Bills and Finance Checks #039178 – #039196, Payroll Checks #005066 + Payroll E Checks 1 – 8. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Mayor Harmoning adjourned the council meeting to the Sewer Improvement Project Public Hearing at 6:50 p.m.
The council meeting resumed at 7:46 p.m.
Harmoning moved, seconded by Matzke, to remove from the table 7.3 Kankel Addition Lots. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The council meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Kevin Harmoning, Mayor Kathleen Schmitz, City Administrator
