Minutes of the regular March 24, 2009 Motley City Council meeting
REGULAR MEETING - MOTLEY CITY COUNCIL
MOTLEY MN March 24, 2009
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Alexander called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the following council members present: Duane Solga and Rob Sampson. Nancy Nieken and Rena Underhill were absent. The meeting took place at city hall.
The following persons were present for all or part of the meeting: Ben Oleson; Eldon Morey; Mike Lorber; Bruce Mills; April Alexander; Tom Zetah; Mark Hallan; Ervin Bjerga; Bruce Brotherton; Dawn Timbs and Greg Weber.
The pledge of allegiance to the flag was given.
Alexander moved, with a second by Solga, approving the consent agenda as follows:
A. Outstanding bills – Claim # 5074 - 5097
Check # 25616 – 25651
Check # 12670 – 12681
B. Minutes of the Regular March 13, 2009 meeting
C. Employee Leave Report
Solga, Alexander and Sampson voted aye, none nay. The mayor declared the motion carried.
Mark Hallan addressed a proposal from WSN to do an expanded feasibility study for the Beaulieu Street area to include additional segments. The proposal states that the costs are not to exceed $2,500.00.
Alexander moved, with a second by Solga, approving the proposal for the Beaulieu Street area and authorizing Mayor Alexander to sign. Alexander, Solga and Sampson voted aye, none nay. The mayor declared the motion carried.
Hallan requested authorization to send a new letter of intent to replace the March 20th letter for the 2009 Amended IUP so that the WWTF project can be eligible to be placed on the list for 2009 construction.
Alexander moved, with a second by Solga, authorizing the new letter of intent for the 2009 Amended IUP. Alexander, Solga and Sampson voted aye, none nay. The mayor declared the motion carried.
It was reported that the Public Hearing held by the Planning Commission to discuss the proposed ordinance amendment creating a Downtown Mixed Use, Land Matrix and Zoning Map amendment had good discussion with many people in attendance. The most common concern was tax increase worries. Morrison County Assessor’s office had previously confirmed that the tax classification is determined by the properties use not what it is zoned. The DMU would address some problems faced by residential homes that are currently in a commercial zone by giving the property owner a voice on how they can use their property. Comments and concerns from the council were:
~ The zone extending to Curtiss St on the east side of Highway 10 and it is proposed to stop at Harrison St on the west side of Highway 10.
~ Appliance repair – concerns about outside storage of appliances.
~ Parking lots were added because there were concerns about whether there was adequate parking.
~ Orton’s Car Wash would be a non-conforming use if it is changed to DMU.
~ Too much exclusion.
~ Nice highway frontage property, need to look carefully at what can go in there.
This item was tabled due to a required 4/5 majority to pass and only three (3) council members present.
The council had previously discussed the possibility of waiving the city’s 30% portion of building permit fees.
Sampson moved, with a second by Alexander, to waive the city’s 30% portion of building permit fees and will review in January 2010 to see how it is working. Alexander, Solga and Sampson voted aye, none nay. The mayor declared the motion carried.
Based on previous discussion and no further communication from the townships that contract for fire service from the City of Motley, the following motion was entertained. As part of the discussion of the motion, Solga stated that he had been approached by a township and they are very concerned about the budget for the fire department. Solga assured them that the council will look into the budget to see what can be done. Sampson stated that the townships were all told at the last meeting held that they can participate in the budget process.
Sampson moved, with a second by Alexander, to freeze the billing rate for 2008 service at 2007 rates and to make it clear that those townships that we have not received a signed contract back from by April 15, 2009 will no longer have fire services of any kind from the Motley Fire Department. Alexander, Solga and Sampson voted aye, none nay. The mayor declared the motion carried.
Alexander moved, with a second by Solga, to contribute $300.00 to the Swimming Program at the Staples Motley Community Ed. Alexander, Solga and Sampson voted aye, none nay. The mayor declared the motion carried.
Faith in Action request was tabled until there is more information available on whom or how many from our community uses it.
There was no action taken on the request from Staples Motley Diamond Club.
Sampson moved, with a second by Solga, to approve Resolution 2009-8, a resolution authorizing a financial transfer from First International Bank and Trust to Unity Bank. Alexander, Solga and Sampson voted aye, none nay. The mayor declared the motion carried.
Public Forum –
Suggestions about raising fire run fees and charging for fire runs in city limits.
Council concerns –
Need council members to show up so work can get done.
Alexander moved, with a second by Sampson, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was duly adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Terri Smith
Clerk Treasurer
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