September 14, 2011 Council Meeting Minutes
DANUBE CITY COUNCIL
Regular Council Meeting
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 7:00 PM
Danube City Council Chambers
A regular meeting of the Danube City Council was conducted on September 14, 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: Chief of Police Les Schneider, City Clerk-Treasurer Sara Wilson, and media.
Approval of Agenda
Councilmember Bentley moved and Councilmember Strunc seconded a motion to approve the Agenda with the addition of ‘Dan Kaufenberg’ under New Business. 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 24, 2011. The motion carried unanimously.
Dennis Oberloh
postponed
Chief of Police Les Schneider
Chief of Police Les Schneider was present to give his monthly employee report and Police Department Activity for the month of August. The statistics for the month were as follows: 48 calls, 21 reports, 32 traffic stops, 12 citations, 29 mutual assists and 4 home security checks.
Schneider reported that there had not been any quotes received from Salonek for repairs on the school building, nor have any funds been received from the insurance company. There is a potential for profit weekly renter for the gym. More details will follow.
Schneider informed the council that the Clerk had published the new parking ordinance and sent letters to the residents along the streets affected, which include 2nd Street East and the east end of Oak Street. The no parking signs have not been installed yet. Schneider discussed some parking issues with the council and was told it was his decision as to how to handle it. One resident has been parking his truck 2nd Street East. As per City Ordinance 99, truck traffic is not allowed on 2nd Street East. When the street was under construction, this resident had told a councilmember and city employee that he would not park on the street once the tar was on it. He has not followed through on his statement. A parking ticket will cost $25 plus $90 in court fees for the first offense.
Schneider has a list of street lights needing repairs ready to fax to Xcel Energy. He will get a call back to confirm a time frame on when the repairs will be done. A copy of the list will be left with the Clerk.
The Police Department received $1,540.90 in POST Board reimbursement to help with continuing education expenses. Schneider also had to do his POST Board annual compliance mandates.
Renville County Sheriff’s Office needs a resolution stating that the Danube Police Department has permission to access Minnesota Computerized Criminal History for employment background checks and for licensing purposes.
Councilmember Bentley moved and Mayor Allex seconded a motion to pass a resolution allowing the Danube Police Department to access Minnesota Computerized Criminal History for employment background checks and licensing purposes. The motion passed unanimously.
Schneider received the contract for 2012 First Responder 44 training through Ridgewater College. It will cost $1,218.
Councilmember Bentley moved and Councilmember Strunc seconded a motion to approve 2012 First Responder 44 Training through Ridgewater College for $1,218. The motion passed unanimously.
Council Vacancy
The following Danube residents have submitted their names for the open council seat: Phil Standfuss, Sharon Krogman, Dee Bright, Ben Ryan and Darrell Mattson.
Mayor Allex moved and Councilmember Strunc seconded a motion to appoint Phil Standfuss to the open seat on the Danube City Council. Mayor Allex and Councilmember Bentley voted in favor of the motion. Councilmember Strunc voted against the motion.
FEMA Update
Clerk Wilson told the council that 2 gentlemen from FEMA met with her Wednesday morning to let her know what they need from her for the next steps towards getting money to help cover expenses from the July 1 storm. They will be back on Sept 21st for another meeting.
DNR Park Grant Post Completion Inspection
Tabled
Approval of Bills
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to approve the bills as submitted in the amount of $38,647.93. The motion carried unanimously.
Building Permit Application
Ronald Beckler of 301 5th Street applied for a building permit to add a wood front step where a cement step currently exists and will be removed.
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to approve a building permit application for Ronald Beckler. The motion carried unanimously.
Request to Transfer City Funds
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to transfer $15,000 from savings to checking. The motion carried unanimously.
Proposed Tax Levy
After reviewing the numbers that the Clerk plugged into the budget after the budget meeting held on September 7, the council decided to levy each year a portion of the City’s share of the improvements to 2nd Street. This year $6,500 will be levied towards that amount.
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to pass resolution 04-2011 adopting proposed 2011 tax levy, collectible in 2012 of $150,644. The motion passed unanimously.
Dan Kaufenberg
Ryan Bentley met with Public Works Director Dan Kaufenberg at Kaufenberg’s request. The following items were discussed:
· Kaufenberg has 3 valves that need replacing including one by the school, one by the newly replaced fire hydrant, and one at the ponds. Kaufenberg wanted to have Monson come and do the one by the school, at the very least, because then they could patch up and tar that spot in the road right away. The council felt that Kaufenberg should have Monson come and do all the work he needs done.
· The fire hydrant that was hit has been replaced. Chris Knight did the digging.
· Hurley’s Tree Service gave an estimate of $1,500 to clean up some broken branches still in the trees in the parks and to remove some trees.
· Kaufenberg wanted to make sure everyone was in place for the first snow storm. Mayor Allex will talk to Jim Aalderks about running the snowplow. Councilmember Bentley will see if Art Nyquist and Bob Kopel will contract with the City once again.
· Kaufenberg will be taking time off for deer hunting and will also take off the last week in December.
· Kaufenberg passed his boilers license test. Bentley said that he felt personally that $1/hour raise for Kaufenberg, as previously agreed upon by the council, was a little on the light side. He feels Kaufenberg has a lot of responsibility with the boilers and Lonny Davis was paid well to cover the boilers. Kaufenberg currently receives $16.40/hour. Councilmember Strunc said that the purpose of Kaufenberg getting his boilers license was to save the City money and that this could be revisited at the end of the year. Lonny Davis will be coming up with an offer to fill in for Kaufenberg when he’s gone.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the council, Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. With all members voting in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: Sara Wilson, City Clerk