CITY OF MAHNOMEN

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Monday, April 2, 2012

6:30 P.M.

COUNCIL PRESENT: Warnsholz, Lee, Jaeger, Durant and Schoenborn.

Others present: Jessica Bjerk, Kim Turner, Sherry Halberg, Steve Halberg, Jackie Haugo, Brenda Lundon, Sherry Walz, Tammy Bellanger, Heather Crane, Wayne Ahmann, Jim Kochmann, Diane Kochmann, Adam Woltjer, Mark Goldsmith, Steve McArthur, Gordon Olson, Sheriff Doug Krier, Brian Buck, Del Bellanger, Duane Schouveiller, Chad Schouveiller, Sue Kraft, Ken Flaten, Carl Malmstrom, Steve Luckow, and Jerry Carrier.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Martin Warnsholz.

Approval of the Agenda

MOTION by Lee, second by Schoenborn to approve the agenda minus item ten, the City Shop Bids. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”

Public Comments

Sherry Walz addressed the Council, she objected to the Hospital Board giving the Hospital to Sanford. She spoke about problems on Main Street, the White bias against Natives in Mahnomen, problems in the Fire Department, and rumors that the Council was firing the City Administrator.

Approval of Minutes

MOTION by Durant, second by Jaeger to approve the minutes from March 19, 2012 meeting. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”

READING OF THE BILLS

MOTION by Jaeger, second by Lee to approve the April 2, 2012 list of claims for $45,944.55. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”

MAIN STREET FARMERS MARKET

Jessica Bjerk from MC4QL and the Women of Today, Kim Turner from White Earth Health, and a group of citizens addressed the Council on their desire to build a permanent structure consisting of a floating slab and a roof supported by poles on the S&T site owned by the City for a Farmers Market and other city events. The group has raised funds to build and donate the structure and would like the City of Mahnomen to continue to own and maintain the site. The group would manage the Farmers Market as a nonprofit community project. The Market would provide vendors to come in and sell fresh produce and healthy foods to citizens as well as other health and civic benefits.

MOTION by Durant, second by Jaeger to approve and support the Farmers Market Proposal. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

Carrier reminded the Council that the Board of Equalization will be held at 6 PM April 16, at the County Assessors Office, the regular meeting will then be continued at approximately 6:30 at City Hall.

HOSPITAL JOINT POWERS MEETING

There will be a Hospital Joint Powers Meeting April 26, at 7:30 AM at the Hospital. Schoenborn asked that the Sanford Proposal for the Hospital be put on the next agenda.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A POSSIBLE PRIMARY ELECTION

MOTION by Lee, second by Schoenborn to approve Resolution 4-2-2012-17 authorizing a possible primary election on August 14, 2012 for Mayor and Council seats if necessary. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”

BIDS TO SELL WILD RICE LOUNGE EQUIPMENT.

The City advertised and accepted bids on two coolers and two sinks. The bidder of the coolers only purchased one, not both.

MOTION by Jaeger, second by Durant to allow the Liquor Store manager to dispose of the cooler as he saw fit. Carried with all voting “Yes”.

LUCKY 7 SIGNS

The Council discussed replacing Lucky 7’s front sign located on the building and installing a new sign on the rear of the building toward the Casino.

MOTION by Durant, second by Jaeger to purchase two 24”X 96” signs for the Lucky 7 building at a cost of $5,992.00 from the Ross Lewis Sign Company plus electrical installation costs. Carried with all voting “Yes”.

MAHNOMEN BAKED CHIPS

It was reported that the Mahnomen Baked Chip Plant has not met the loan requirements set by the State of Minnesota DEED, specifically for jobs creation, so DEED has asked for immediate return of their Gap Loan that was passed through the City to MMCDC for the project. The repayment demand has been sent to MMCDC and they have agreed to pay. The outstanding balance is

$213,475.48.

POLICE REPORTS

No officers were present.

COUNCIL REPORTS

There were no reports.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Carrier reported on lift station grease issues caused by cooking oils.

Carrier reported that the 2011 Audit is complete and that it should be available at the next meeting.

It was reported that the County Attorney had found problems with dispatch on emergency calls and reported this to the County Board who asked the Sheriff to investigate himself.

The Council received word that the $8,000 Downtown Grant from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation was approved.

Carrier reported that the Regional City Administrator’s meeting will be hosted by Mahnomen on April 17th. The group will meet at the Red Apple, tour WETCC, and conduct their business meeting in the Wild Rice Lounge. Carrier was asked to present on two issues: Federal Financing of Housing and Economic Development and turning around Municipal Liquor Stores.

It was reported that the conversion of the Fire Department Tanker into a public works truck is complete.

Carrier discussed problems with the old dilapidated barbershop building on Main Street. It is coming up on back taxes. Carrier suggested acquiring the property demolishing the structure and combining it with the adjacent 25’ lot owned by the City to sell to and provide off street parking for the Bank.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Lee, second by Durant to adjourn the meeting. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”

______

Jerry Carrier, Administrator Martin R. Warnsholz, Mayor