Regular Meeting

City Council

May 9, 2016

5:30PM – City Hall

Mayor Thorpe called the regular monthly meeting to order at 5:30 PM with Council members Ulmer,Belmore, Fuher, and Reis present.

Absent: Meidinger and Maunu.

City Employees present were: Police Chief Knutson, Attorney Kelly, and Auditor Middlestead.

Also present: Michele Thorpe, Mickey Thorpe,H. Rotunda, A. Tschosik, and S. Tayon.

5:30 PM – Michele Thorpe reported on the direction the Ellendale Community Food Pantry is headed. There was discussion of a zoning variance due to relocating to a property for easier access. As more details become available the Council will review their concerns.

Ellendale Acres Covenant Change: Discussion held concerning a Zoning Ordinance change regarding the number of square foot of a finished residence in Ellendale Acres. Attorney Kelly will implement the change for review at the June meeting.

H. Rotunda – Audit: Rotunda distributed the 2015 audit report for review. He will return in July to discuss the budget and approve the final audit report.

Agenda additions: None.

6:00 PM Bid opening 63 6th St N: Attorney Kelly opened the 2 bids received for demolition of the house at 63 6th St N. Bids received from Thorpe Excavating and Top Notch Repair both met required qualifications. Thorpe Excavating bid: $3,500; Top Notch Repair: $1,850. Motion by Ulmer, second by Belmore, to accept the Top Notch Repair bid of $1,850 to demolish the house at 63 6th St N. Roll call vote: Reis – Yes; Belmore – Yes; Ulmer – Yes; Fuher – No; Meidinger and Maunu – Absent. Motion approved.

Minutes: Motion by Reis, second by Ulmer, to approve the minutes of the April11, 2016, Regular Council meeting; April 11, 2016 Tax Equalization Meeting and the April 25, 2016, Special meeting. All members present, aye. Motion approved.

Operating statement: Motion by Reis, second by Fuher, to approve operating statement as presented. All members present, aye. Motion approved.

Bills: Motion by Reis, second by Ulmer, to approve the bills as presented. All members present, aye. Motion approved.

Delinquent accounts: S. Arion, M. Metcalf, T. Browning, J. Huffstutler, Nationstar Mortgage Co., M. Fergal, D. Muggli and M. Masset.

Raffle Permits: None.

Police Chief Knutson reported on the police activity for the month of April and discussed the changeover to CAD system with State Radio. Estimated cost is $1,300 for each device and a $250 per year maintenance. Discussed unlicensed vehicles and vehicles parked on the wrong side of street.

Auditor was instructed to place ad concerning grass cuttings blown into the City’s streets.

Public Works Report: Flynn was not present for the meeting but a report was available for the monthly jobs completed in April. Spring clean-up has been set for May 9-10-11. Bids for mowing Block 2 & 3 at Ellendale Acres were open. Kyle Laabs - $275 each mowing; Todd Flynn - $1,350 per month. Motion by Fuher, second by Reis, to approve Kyle Laabs mowing bid for Block 2 & 3 in Ellendale Acres. All members present, aye. Motion approved.

Attorney Kelly prepared a “Restrictive Covenant” to be used in cooperation with NDSU Extension Service to grow Trees and other vegetation. Motion by Reis, seconded by Belmore, to approve the Restrictive Covenant for Lot 6, Block 16, ELC Addition. All members present, aye. Motion approved.

Building Inspector Report: Kassa reported on the 5 building permits that were submitted in May. She approved Campney, Diemert/Gonzalez, Lematta, and M. Deering. A. Monroe would need survey or an agreement with neighbor to continue.

Building Permits: Motion by Fuher, second by Reis, to approve the building permit forCampney- storage shed; Diemert/Gonzalez – fence; Lematta – remove garage and build addition to house; Deering – replace storage shed; Muckey – demo permit.Monroe was not approved until survey or agreement with neighbor is gotten. All members present, aye. Motion approved.

Main St. Properties: Discussion held about main street properties.

First Reading Ordinance: Motion by Reis, second by Belmore, to approve the First Reading of Article 5 #3.0501 – Unclaimed and Abandoned Property. Roll call vote: Belmore – Yes; Ulmer – Yes; Fuher – Yes; Reis – Yes; Meidinger and Maunu - Absent. Motion approved. Water and sewer annual percentage increase tabled.

Fire Hall Roof: No new information.

Ellendale Acres: Progress continues with Dollar General.

An ordinance meeting will be planned for May 23rdat 5:30PM at DRN.

Next regular meeting will be June 13that 5:30 PM.

Reis motioned to adjourn meeting at 8:57PM.

Approved Bills:

Post Prom Party / 800.00 / Postmaster / 47.00 / Postmaster / 2.41
Service Maid / 180.00 / Computer Express / 1.03 / Thorpe Excavating / 150.00
Starion Insurance / 1,735.00 / Wells Fargo Trust / 149,450.00 / BCBS / 7,236.10
Ellendale Chamber / 200.00 / Waste Management / 1,372.89 / Thorpe Excavating / 1,278.25
AmeriPride Services / 65.73 / Dickey Co. Recorder / 10.00 / Job Service ND / 2,072.46
John Deere Financial / 7.34 / VISA / 1,119.36 / M. D. U. / 919.98
Todd Flynn / 125.52 / Ellendale Park Board / 4,990.59 / Postmaster / 6.80
Brad Knutson / 107.50 / Postmaster / 3.09 / City Employees / 24,086.06
Amb Employees / 8,635.78 / Council / 484.82 / Mayor / 277.05
Thorpe Excavating / 5,578.41 / Keith Loewen / 288.00 / Postmaster / 176.03
Harold J. Rotunda / 1,800.00 / Waste Management / 1,359.45 / Thorpe Excavating / 1,288.31
Starion Financial / 13,583.11 / Government Academy / 25.00 / M. D. U. / 3,671.08
Graham Tire / 382.07 / 281 Repair / 515.60 / Computer Express / 65.00
Kim Radermacher / 800.00 / Crossroads Advisors / 3,000.00 / Jerry Reinisch / 55.00
I.R.S .- Payroll taxes / 9,998.58 / LeTourneau Plastics / 1,791.20 / Federal Aviation / 1,703.00
ND PERS / 4,340.74
Matt Thorpe / Candace Middlestead
Mayor / City Auditor
(minutes subject to corrections and approval at next regular meeting)