November 18, 2009 - council meeting minutes
REGULAR MEETING – DANUBE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 18, 2009
Gene Allex called the regular meeting of the Danube City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2009. Council members present: Sharon Lothert, Al Strunc, and Ryan Bentley. Absent: None
Also present: Dan Kaufenberg, Public Works Director, Aaron Walton, City Attorney, and Susan Williams from the Renville Register.
A motion was made by Sharon Lothert to approve the agenda with the following additions: Under Old Business: “Preliminary consideration of allegations of misconduct by a city employee” and under New Business: “ information request form,” “post card forms for utility billing,” “authorized representative on credit card,” “roof on local building.” Al Strunc seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Lothert to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting of November 4, 2009. Ryan Bentley seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Dan Kaufenberg, Public Works Director, was present to give his monthly employee report. Items discussed were as follows:
· Kaufenberg checked with a couple businesses on the trade-in value of the City’s lawnmower. He was told estimates of $800-$1000. Schoffman’s Inc has offered $1350 for the trade-in. Discussion took place about adding a roll bar for $500.
· The City pick up is still having the transmission problems. It needs new front brake pads. The council told Kaufenberg to have the front brake pads replaced by Vogland’s at a cost of approximately $90. The transmission issues will be revisited at a later date. Strunc told Kaufenberg that he may use his personal vehicle when going to New Ulm with water samples, and then turn in mileage for reimbursement.
· Kaufenberg will have Schmoll’s replace the bottom in the dumpster at the City shop for an estimated $200.
· The elevator road and 2nd Street East have been bladed.
· Curt at Minnesota Boiler’s will be calling Kaufenberg when he’s in the area, to take a look at the options for splitting the two boilers.
· Kaufenberg has not had time to call MVTL about the possibility of drinkable City water.
· Lothert asked Kaufenberg if he’s having problems with pocket gophers at the ponds. He will be taking care of them soon.
· The Clerk will get a list of water shut offs to Kaufenberg in the morning.
· Allex told Kaufenberg that Santa’s Closet and Tri-Valley will call him if they have any building problems.
A motion was made by Gene Allex to purchase a new mower as quoted by Schoffman’s Inc. for $6,229 plus tax, after trade in. Lothert seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
There were no updates on the Mahoney lawsuit.
The council reviewed the upcoming rentals for the Community Center and the school building. In addition to the Danube Senior Citizens being in the hall on the 2nd & 4th Mondays, there will be an event sponsored by the Danube Historical Society and the Danube Legion on November 29, a bridal shower on November 21 and a Tool Sale on November 30. Men’s basketball continues at the school building on Wednesday nights and St. Matthews Youth Group on the 2nd & 4th Sundays.
The City phones will be switched over to Mediacom after the Police Station and water tower are checked by Mediacom’s technician.
Les Schneider, Jr. has received information from West Central Roofing regarding repairing the roof at the school. The information was not available to the council at the meeting. Strunc stressed that the City needs someone to walk the school weekly to make sure nothing major is happening. He stated that it’s an old building and needs more attention. The council thought they could ask one of the walkers to just walk through the top floor once a week. Allex asked Strunc if he would look over the roof estimates with Schneider. Strunc agreed to look at them.
The clerk is waiting for a return call on zoning.
A motion was made by Strunc to approve the bills as submitted in the amount of $31,341.63. Lothert seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
The council vacancy was discussed. Three residents have shown interest. A vacancy notice will be posted on the board and the council will review the possibilities at the next meeting.
The clerk told the council about the discussions she’s had with the City Attorney about whether or not to give unapproved minutes to the Renville Register. The result was, as long as the paper is aware that the minutes they receive is a first draft, she is allowed and obligated to fulfill the request.
The council received a letter from the Renville County Attorney stating that he is not pressing charges against the bartender at Miller’s on Main who failed the Alcohol Compliance Check on Halloween, as this was her first offense.
The council received information on s Shop Local program from the Renville County HRA/EDA and also information on the trail planning activity going on. The clerk told the council that Chris Hettig would appreciate someone from Danube coming to the trail planning meetings.
A motion was made by Strunc to approve a building permit for James and Nancy Schreiber to put a wheel chair ramp on their home. Bentley seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Lothert to approve the door being open between Miller’s on Main and the Community Center for the Danube Legion Turkey Bingo on November 20, 2009. Bentley seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
The City needs a new contact person for Tri-Valley. Allex suggested that Strunc be that person since he’s already agreed to be the contact for the EDA apartments. Strunc is willing to be the contact person.
The clerk prepared an “Information Disclosure Request” form to use when people are requesting certain public information that may not be immediately available.
A motion was made by Strunc to approve the use of the “Information Disclosure Request” form, as needed. Lothert seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Lothert to allow the Clerk to order 2,500 utility billing postcards at a price of $131/1000. Bentley seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Lothert requested that copies of the credit card statements be put in the council packets each month.
Lothert mentioned that a new roof was being put on a building in town and was concerned about the height requirements. The clerk will check into it. Strunc would like the council to review the zoning and building permit ordinance after the first of the year.
The clerk gave the council each a copy of the LMC’s checklist relating to the possible paving of 2nd Street East. She will print the Special Assessment Guide for each council member.
At 8:00 p.m. the meeting was closed for preliminary consideration of allegations of misconduct of a city employee.
A 10:05 p.m. the meeting was re-opened and a motion was made by Lothert to adjourn the meeting. Bentley seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted: Sara Wilson, City Clerk