August 24, 2011 Council Meeting Minutes
DANUBE CITY COUNCIL
Regular Council Meeting
Wednesday, August 24, 2011 7:00 PM
Danube City Council Chambers
A regular meeting of the Danube City Council was conducted on August 24, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Gene Allex presiding.
The following Councilmembers were present: Al Strunc and Ryan Bentley
Councilmembers absent: Dave Maurice
Others Present: Public Works Director Dan Kaufenberg, City Clerk-Treasurer Sara Wilson, City Engineer Lee Elfering, City Auditor Dennis Oberloh, Julie Krueger, and media
Approval of Agenda
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to approve the Agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of August 10, 2011 with one correction. The motion carried unanimously.
Open Forum
Julie Krueger was present on behalf of the Danube Area Action Club (DAAC). She told the council that every year the City pays money towards part of the Kids Carnival during Danube Fun Days. Last year $1,100 was given towards the inflatables.
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to give $1,100 to the DAAC to help pay for the inflatables rented for the Danube Fun Days Kids Carnival. The motion carried unanimously.
Public Works Director Dan Kaufenberg Employee Report
Kaufenberg reported on the following:
· He ordered signs for no parking on 2nd Street East and Oak Street. He’d like to ask the County to come over with their equipment to install the signs.
· He did another pond discharge. The lift station seems to back to normal operating levels, possibly due to the water table getting low enough.
· He ordered a sludge probe to be able to check the sludge level in the ponds.
· He took his boilers license test, but has not gotten the results back yet.
· The sweeper needs a new main broom, which will cost about $500. He’s trying to make it through the fall before he needs it but would like to have it on hand. He’ll also need another side broom, which will cost about $150. Council approved of this.
· Thein Well did the annual inspection on the pumps and wells. Everything looked good. They suggested that both wells should be pulled up above ground for a physical inspection. Well #3 was last out in 2004 and well #5 was last out in 2001. They recommend pulling them every 6-7 years. Kaufenberg will get a price for that.
· Many covers on the storm sewer drains are broken. Kaufenberg would like Schmolls to come over and do some welding to repair them. Council approved of this.
· Kaufenberg would like to ask Community Center Custodian Randy Grunke to help with tree trimming this fall. Council approved.
· Sam Smith has not been to town to dig for the hydrant that needs to be replaced by the pump house. Kaufenberg will call Chris Knight or Monson’s.
· Mayor Allex told Kaufenberg that the new playground equipment needs a sealer applied to it.
· Kaufenberg purchased a generator for using the Sewer Eye camera.
2nd Street East
City Engineer Lee Elfering was present and went over a punch list of some things that will be taken care of yet along 2nd Street East. Councilmember Strunc asked questions about some of the costs on the partial pay request being submitted for payment.
In light Elfering interpreting the assessment policy that Clerk Wilson found dating back to 1978, assessments to the property owners along 2nd Street East will decrease from what was originally estimated. All councilmembers present were in favor of abiding by the past practices. The cost of the project is about $350,000 and under the 1978 policy, 35-40% of that cost could be assessed.
An assessment hearing will be held on October 12 at 6:30 in the City Council Chambers.
With City Auditor Dennis Oberloh present, the council discussed the idea of self financing the project. The City would collect the assessments, plus interest. Any invested money is only earning 1-1.5% right now. Oberloh said the cost of issuing bonds on a small project is high. It could run around $30,000. The City could try to recover the cost over a period of 20 years by raising the tax levy a certain percentage each year.
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to approve the #3 partial pay estimate to Chad Monson Excavating as submitted in the amount of $60,677.47. The motion carried unanimously.
Council Vacancy
Tabled because one councilmember was absent
FEMA Update
Clerk Wilson attended a FEMA applicant briefing on August 10 to start the application process to receive FEMA money from the July 1st storm. A FEMA representative will be in contact to set up a meeting for the next step of the process.
Contract for Use of Rooms in School Building
Clerk Wilson drew up a simple contract for the use of rooms in the school building. The council approved it.
Councilmember Strunc offered the use of the old superintendent’s office to the Grain Millers Union from SMBSC to be used as a union office and meeting room, for $100 per month.
DNR Park Grant Post Completion Inspection
Clerk Wilson emailed the MN DNR for a copy of the original agreement regarding the grant that the City received in 1981 to develop an Outdoor Recreation Area. The agreement states that the area needs to be maintained indefinitely. Additional grant information was also received. Councilmember Strunc suggested contacting Susie Lueck to inquire about writing a new grant for bring the area back up to the standards of the original grant agreement.
Approval of Bills
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to approve the bills as submitted in the amount of $85,610.95. This includes an addition to the claims list of 2 checks. The motion carried unanimously.
Building Permit Application - Mertens
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to approve the building permit for Duane Mertens to move small storage shed onto his 4th Street property. The motion carried unanimously.
Request to Transfer City Funds
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to transfer $90,000 from savings to checking to pay Chad Monson Excavating and the annual insurance. The motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the council, Councilmember Bentley moved and Councilmember Strunc seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. With all members voting in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: Sara Wilson, City Clerk