City of Mahnomen
City Council Meeting Minutes
July 18, 2011
6:30 P.M.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Warnsholz, Kochmann, Jaeger, Durant and Lee.
Also Present: Sue Kraft, Ken Flaten, Carl Malmstrom, Wayne Ahmann, Salena Scott. Marlene Sprouls, Gerald Finke, Doug Krier, Dave Tilleraas, Mark Goldsmith, Adam Woltjer, Brian Buck, Wayne Ahmann, Tammy Benson, Gordon Olson, Chad Olson, Paul Brehm, Steve Mc Authur, Del Ballanger, Bill Gomall, Michele Gieseke, Ray Bisek, Mike Bunker,Brenda Hickman, Diane Busse, Connie Starky, Derek Kochmann, Karen Ahmann, Chad Peterson, Josh Haagenson, Travis Gary, John Schmidt, Teddy Bisse, Scott Lee, Bette Lasa, Nathan Padzernick, Ryan Hendrickson, Biran Ose, L. Murray, and Jerry Carrier.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Martin Warnsholz.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION by Durant, second by Jaeger to approve the agenda. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
PUBLIC COMMENTS
A question was asked about the annexation of Riverland. The Mayor stated that the City was in discussion with the Tribal Council about the annexation.
MINUTES
MOTION by Lee, second by Kochmann to approve the July 5, 2011 minutes. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
CONSENT AGENDA
April Ledger of Payments and approval for the following checks: City 49188-49267, Wild Rice Lounge 32195-32243, Lucky 7 Liquors 8423-8467. Approval of Liquor Store and Lucky 7 Liquors Financial Reports.
MOTION by Jaeger, second by Durant to approve the Consent Agenda. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
Reading of the Bills
MOTION by Lee, second by Durant to approve the July 18, 2011 list of claims totaling $56,571.69. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
LAWN TRACTOR
The Public Works Department requested to replace their worn out lawn mower with a new mower. A quote was received from Evergreen Implement of Mahnomen.
MOTION by Durant, second by Jaeger to approve $6,525.00 from Evergreen Implement for the purchase of a John Deere Lawn Tractor. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
PERSONNEL ORDINANCE
Kochmann led the discussion of the next five pages on the draft Personnel Policy. There were no changes.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT
The Council received information and asked questions about the draft Marketing Study. It was reported that the First National Bank of Mahnomen will host a dinner at the Casino and invite members of the business community for the final presentation. It will likely occur in September.
MMUA CONFERENCE
The City Administrator received a special invitation to the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association Conference.
MOTION by Durant, second by Jaeger to approve expenses for Carrier to attend the MMUA Conference August 22, 23, 24th. Carried with Warnsholz, Jaeger, and Durant voting, “Yes,” and with Kochmann and Lee voting, “No.”
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
The Women of Today requested to close First Street and Monroe Avenue by the Mini Park from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM for National Night Out. The Mayor also reminded the Council and public that this event is a smoke-free event.
MOTION by Durant, second by Lee to approve the closing of First and Monroe Streets from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM and being a smoke-free event for National Night Out. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
MAHNOMEN COUNTY ISSUES
It was reported that a Special Election would be required to replace Wally Eid on the County Board. The County is responsible for all cost with the exception of the City to pay election judges.
It was also reported that the Auditor’s Office and the Administrator met to discuss the expired contract with the Sheriff’s Department. There had been some confusion about the final payment owed by the City due to an equipment credit owed to the City. The City had used this credit to pay the final three months of the contract. At the meeting the City Administrator and County Auditor agreed that $4,677.34 was still owed by the City to the County for past services. The Administrator recommended this payment to the County.
MOTION by Kochmann, second Jaeger by to approve the payment of $4,677.34 to Mahnomen County for past Sheriff’s Dept. Services. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
FIRE DEPARTMENT ISSUES
The issues had been tabled from the previous meeting waiting a legal memorandum by the City Attorney. The Mayor asked if the Council had questions concerning the attorney’s memorandum. The Mayor took comments from the public and those present spoke in support of the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief requested formal copies of his personnel file. (Written request attached). That issue was given to the City Attorney. A tape recording of part of a conversation of Carrier and Ahmann was played where Carrier had used a four letter word in their conversation.
MOTION by Kochmann, second by Lee, to give a vote of confidence to the Fire Chief. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
MOTION by Kochmann, second by Lee, to drop all grievances for Fire Department issues and the Fire Chief and to hold a closed meeting to evaluate the actions of the City Administrator in this matter. Roll Call Vote: Kochmann, Lee and Warnsholz voting “Yes,” and Durant and Jaeger voting “No”. Motion carried.
No specific time or date for the closed meeting was given by the Council.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Carrier reported that the Casino will install a sidewalk at their expense from the Manitok Mall to the Lucky 7.
Carrier reported on the Minnesota Hospital Trustee Conference. One issue raised at the conference was about the coming worker shortage and workforce development. The Administrator said the City should consider planning for this new reality.
Carrier reported that Bremer Bank may be willing to finance the acquisition of Valley View for MAALC. There will be a meeting of MAALC, Thursday the 21st, to discuss this issue.
Carrier reported that the deal to re-open the State shutdown has again fallen apart and there is still no idea when this issue would be resolved. The Shop and Water Project are still on hold. Carrier will attempt to get financing for the projects in anticipation of the re-opening of State government.
It was reported that Luella Fraser will fill the remaining term of Wally Eid as Hospital Board President.
It was reported that Carrier was meeting with civil engineers for a possible RFP if the Council decides to seek another engineer. Carrier stated that in his opinion the current engineer was doing very good work.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Durant, second by Kochmann to adjourn. Carried with all voting, “Yes.”
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Jerry Carrier, Administrator Martin R. Warnsholz, Mayor