Minutes of the Askov City Council

Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Askov City Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at the Askov Community Center . Mayor Weulander called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Present were, Frederiksen, Odle, Johnsen, Seek and Clerk Ecklund. Also present Lee Johnsen. Meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Lee Johnsen requested permission from council to remove trees from the city property by the lift station on Pionervej. Council requested Clerk Ecklund to check with the LMC and the legality to allow anyone to remove the trees. Location verification is East side of Rocky’s to Prairie Lane .

Consent agenda consisting of minutes, disbursements& proofs & financial reports, accounts payable, and PeopleService report. Council finished reviewing consent agenda. Council wanted clarification on the two (2) center and two (2) park funds along with the city auditor to come and help straighten out the P & L and determine how many check books the city really needs. Consensus was to have Clerk Ecklund to notify Althoff and Nordquist for advice. Council would like Liesch Associate to clarify an invoice from Quality Flow before payment. Motion by Frederiksen, second by Johnsen to approve the final change order #8 for the sewer project. Motion carried 5-0. Council needed clarification on the PeopleService report where it indicates cleaning of the pipes at the well house. Council requested that PeopleService representative be at the February 10, 2010 council meeting. Motion by Frederiksen, second by Seek to pay North Pine Aggregate the amount of $30,000, more verification on Quality Flow invoice and approve consent agenda with six additions to accounts payable, with one old and seven new businesses. Motion carried 5-0.

Communication/Announcement from Clerk: **Motion by Weulander, second by Odle to approve Mike Swegle and Shawn Bennett for Planning Commission. **Please fill out your W4”s and return them to the clerk before leaving tonight. ** Also, pay voucher need to be signed. ** Clerk Ecklund request approval to attend the MCFOA conference March 16-19, 2010, Motion by Frederiksen, second by Seek to approve the conference. Motion carried 5-0.

Old Business:

A. Outstanding Water/Sewer Bills: were reviewed.

B. Commissioner updates: **Streets: Nothing to report. **Nuisance: Nothing to report. **Park & Center: Commissioner Odle was wondering where we were on the locks being changed. **Water & Sewer: Nothing to report already discussed issues in the consent agenda. **Metal detector was tabled until the next council meeting when the PeopleService can be present. **Fire & Rescue: Nothing to report.

C. Other: None

New Business:

Oath of Office: None

A. Organizational Resolution: 2010-01

The following resolution was made by Seek and seconded by Odle:

WHEREAS the Minnesota Statute, Chapters 412 and 427, require certain action by the City Council at the annual organizational council meeting in January;

SO THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Askov City Council, that it hereby approves the following designations for the year 2009:

MEETINGS: Regular meetings of the Askov City Council shall be held on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Expect for July and November, the meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of the month. All meetings, including special and reconvened meetings, shall be held at the Askov Community Center , in the Meeting Room, unless the City Council decides otherwise at a prior meeting.

DEPUTY MAYOR: In the absence of the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor for the Askov City Council shall be George Frederiksen._.

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER: The official newspaper for the City of Askov shall be the Askov American, whose main publication is located in Askov , Minnesota .

OFFICIAL CITY DEPOSITORIES: The following financial institution shall be designated as the official City depository: First National Bank of the North, Askov , Minnesota .

The following shall be authorized agents to endorse checks and orders for the payment of money transactions at the official City depository: Mayor David Weulander or Deputy Mayor George Frederiksen, Clerk-Treasurer Connie Ecklund.

OFFICIAL CITY POLLING PLACE : The Askov Community Center is hereby designated as the official polling place for the City of Askov . This polling place is shared with the Township of Partridge for all primary and general elections.

COUNCIL MEMBER COMMISSIONS/LIAISONS: Council Members shall serve as commissioners/liaisons to these specific departments/organizations: General Government: David Weulander; Public Works (Streets): David Weulander; Public Safety (Fire & Rescue): George Frederiksen; Parks & Recreation (Centers, etc): Lynn Odle; Nuisance: Terry Johnsen; Water & Sewer: Larry Seek.

PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS: The Askov City Council member appointed by the City Council to the Planning Commission shall be David Weulander. In Weulander’s absence, Lynn Odle shall attend the meeting. Other Planning Commission members shall be:

LEGAL ADVISORS: Kevin A. Hofstad, Attorney, of Pine City , Minnesota , or Bjerke Law Offices, i.e. Michael Bjerke of Pine City , Minnesota , shall be the law firms of record responsible for legal services and advice for the City of Askov . Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick, P.A. of Duluth shall serve as Bond Attorney for the City of Askov .

BUILDING OFFICIAL: The Askov City Council hereby remains under contract with the City of Pine City and retains Tom Drotning as the responsible agent for building inspections and planning and zoning services and advice for the City of Askov .

AUDIT SERVICES: The Askov City Council hereby retains Althoff & Nordquist, of Pine City , Minnesota , as the firm to audit the financial records of the City of Askov .

ENGINEERING SERVICES: The Askov City Council hereby retains Leisch and Associates of St. Paul, Minnesota, as the firm the City of Askov will utilize for current engineering services, with Jim Bullert and Jim DeLambert as the primary City Engineers.

GRANTWRITING SERVICES: The Askov City Council hereby retains Pettipiece and Associates of Mankato, Minnesota, as the firm the City of Askov will utilize for current grant writing services.

WEED INSPECTOR AND FORESTER: The Askov City Council hereby appoints Terry Johnsen as the Weed Inspector for the City of Askov .

CIVIL DEFENSE DIRECTOR: The Askov City Council hereby appoints Clerk-Treasurer, Connie Ecklund, Mayor David Weulander and the Fire Chief (as elected at the Fire Dept Annual meeting) as the City Civil Defense Co-Directors.

FIRE WARDEN AND FIRE MARSHALL: The Askov City Council hereby appoints Clerk Connie Ecklund as Fire Warden of the City of Askov , and the Fire Chief (as elected at the Fire Dept Annual meeting) as the Fire Marshall of the City of Askov .

FIRE RESPONSE: The Askov City Council hereby grants approval for the Askov Volunteer Fire Department to respond to fires outside the City’s jurisdiction.

PERA COVERAGE: The Askov City Council hereby approves PERA coverage for only fulltime or seasonal fulltime employees or any that are mandated by PERA because of hours worked or wages paid; all other employees will not be covered by PERA.

HEALTH COVERAGE: The Askov City Council hereby approves health insurance coverage by the City for fulltime employees unless otherwise negotiated.

POLICY UPDATES: The Askov City Council hereby grants authority for the Clerk to provide any necessary updates, (i.e. changes to or additional phone numbers, names, dates, places, etc.) to existing City policies approved by Council. These updates will not change basic policy.

The resolution passed with a vote of 5 to 0.

B. The Master Fee Schedule was reviewed.

Resolution 2010-02

Resolution to adopt master fee schedule by Seek, second by Odle:
WHEREAS, the City charges appropriate fees to cover costs associated with providing services; and WHEREAS, the such fees are necessary for operating expenses; and WHEREAS, a list of the fees is necessary to maintain proper charging;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Askov , County of Pine , Minnesota , that he attached fee schedule is adopted and will be in effect for the year of 2009.

General Fees Reimbursable to Employees or Payable on Their Behalf:

Mileage: As per Federal mileage guidelines; (currently.50 cents/mi)

Meals: $8/breakfast, $10/lunch, $15/evening meal, receipts required for approval

Room, Tuition, and Reimbursements for Materials: Individually, upon approval by Council.

Water and Sewer Department

Base Fee Sewer $12.00 per month Base Fee Water $12.00 per month

Metered Water Fee .00775 per gallon

Sewer Fees .0050 per gallon

Hookup Fee Sewer $1000.00 Hookup Fee Water $1000.00

Reconnection Fees: $ 75.00, plus any additional costs associated with reconnection

Water Meter replacement fee $100.00; negligence or intentional damage

Violation of Limited Water Usage per Resolution $25 per day

Water Tower Radio Lease $125.00 annually

Bulk Water Fees: $2 per thousand plus $50 service fee

Penalty for Violation of Sump Pump Rule after Time Limit Provided in Notice: $75 per month until corrected

Individual Sewage Treatment Fees and Licensing now imposed by County $150

Compliance Inspection on Existing Systems $75

Parks Department

RV Rental $15.00 per night RV, Rental Tent Only $5.00 per night

Center Usage $150.00 Ballroom, $70.00 Kitchen, $30.00 Meeting Room,

$250.00 Damage Deposit

Cleaning in excess of 4 hours or garbage in excess of 7 bags ($3.00 per bag over the allotted bags) will be charged.

Mayor Weulander left at 8:35 pm and Deputy Mayor Frederiksen continued the meeting at this time.

Use of Other Parks: Donation for Garbage Pickup

Ballfield Lease: $1 annually

Unmowed Lawns: $60 per hour

Streets Department

Permit for Excavation in City Street , Alley, Sidewalk or Public Ground $145.00 (excludes W&S excavations)

Fire & Rescue Department

Fire Call $600.00 first two hours & $300 per additional hour thereafter, Extrication $500.00,

Rescue Calls $40 (Rescue fees set and paid by County)

Nuisance and Miscellaneous

Dog Licenses $ 5.00/yr; coordinated with. Rabies vaccine ($10.00/2yr or $15.00/3yr)

Impound and Pound Fees & Animal Control Officer Pay - as per annual agreement with Lee Greenly

General Government

Liquor License: On Sale $1600; Off-Sale $100; Sunday $100 Lions, Prorated Liquor License: $5.13 per event

Special Event License: $25 for 3 day temporary permit

Investigation for New Liquor License: $125

Affidavit of Candidacy: $2

NSF (Bounced Check) Fee: $30

Assessment Search: $20

Copies: 25 cents per page, Faxes: $1 per page

City Code with Binder: $75.00 City Code without Binder: $60.00

Cigarette Licenses: Now under County control

Sanitation License: $10 annually

Entertainment (Shows, Circuses, etc.) License: Determined by Council. Refundable $500 deposit for cleanup.

Public Dance: $25 per event

Peddlers License: $25

Fireworks License: $25

Building Permit Fees …

Gambling Licenses: Controlled by State Contractor Licenses: Controlled by State

Penalties for Petty Misdemeanor: Not more than $200 as per ordinance

Penalties for Misdemeanors: Not more than $700 as per ordinance

Abatements, Assessments and Recovery of Costs as individual case warrants.

Mailings for public: Council agendas $12/yr; Council minute’s $30/yr; PC agendas $7/yr; PC. Minute’s $15/yr.

Fee for a public hearing for conditional or interim use permit or zoning variance: $175

Final Plat Inspection Fees: $50 plus $5 per lot

Amendment of Zoning Ordinance or Map: $175

The resolution passed with a vote of 4 to 0.

************* Other Financial Information not a part of Fee Schedule **************

C. Fire Contracts:

The clerk then presented the 2010 fire contracts with a 2.3% increase:

Finlayson $1187.44+ 2.3% CPI =1214.75

Partridge $5185.05+ 2.3% CPI=5304.31

Norman $822.60+ 2.3% CPI =841.52

Motion by Seek, second by Johnsen to approve the 2010 fire contract rates. Motion carried 4-0.

Wages and Per Diems:

As adopted in 2008, Mayor receives $100/regular meeting, Council member’s $90/reg mtg

For special meetings all receive $15 per hour.

Planning Commission: $15 per meeting

There was a 2.0% merit raise to all seasonal employee with Bob Flach receive $1.00 upon Reviewal effective January 1, 2010.

Wages for Election Judges: $7.50/hr Head Judge, $7.00 all others,

Plus $5 meal noon, $5 meal evening, and coffee provided AM/PM.

Fire and Rescue: Reimbursement for fire runs will be $5.00/call for the first hour; additional hours are $5/hour. In-house training and meetings are $5/session. Rescue runs will be $8.

Fire Chief $325/yr, Assistant Chief $200/yr, Treas. $75/yr, Secretary $75/yr.

Rescue Lieutenant, $200.

As of Policy adopted 11-09-05, additional reimbursement is as follows: each current and reserve member is entitled to a meal at the annual banquet for himself/herself, as payment for his or her services. Should the member choose not to attend this banquet, he or she shall forfeit this reimbursement.

D. Clerk presented to Council a list of donations to the City for the year 2009.

Council did not approve the donation list until they have verification on the $3500.00 donation from the Askov Area Lions.

E. Reviewal of 2009 Financial Statements: At this time council reviewed their commissions.

F. Transfer of funds or Dedicated CD’s. Clerk Ecklund to contact the auditor more advice on the reports being generated and the surplus total.

G Other: **Approval for Senior Dining to hold meals for Senior and also, Clerk to send out a Thank you to Maryles Crawford from the Askov City Council. **Turn out gear for new member Scott Petersen. **Approval of Shawn Bennett on the Planning Commission was approved earlier in the Clerks announcements. **Clerk to contact Daryl Klocke on the company name on the windows for warranty. **Council member Frederiksen will be attending the mutual aid meeting as the liaison of the council.

Adjournment:

Motion by Seek, second by Johnsen to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0

Respectfully submitted,

Connie Ecklund