Danube

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June 8, 2011 Council Meeting Minutes

DANUBE CITY COUNCIL

Regular Council Meeting

Wednesday, June 8, 2011 7:00 PM

Danube City Council Chambers

 

A regular meeting of the Danube City Council was conducted on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Gene Allex presiding. 

 

The following Councilmembers were present:  Bob Simpson, Ryan Bentley, and Dave Maurice

 

Councilmembers absent:  Al Strunc

 

Others Present:  City Clerk-Treasurer Sara Wilson and media

 

Approval of Agenda

 

Councilmember Bentley moved and Councilmember Simpson seconded a motion to approve the Agenda with the addition of several more dates to approve the door to the bar open for Community Center events.  The motion carried unanimously.   

 

Approval of Minutes

 

Councilmember Maurice moved and Councilmember Simpson seconded a motion to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of May 25, 2011.  The motion carried unanimously. 

 

Chief of Police Les Schneider Monthly Employee Report

 

Chief of Police Les Schneider was not present, but the council had his monthly report which included the following statistics for May 2011:  50 calls, 28 reports, 23 traffic stops, 10 citations, 18 mutual assists, 3 home security checks and 3 DAP citations.  The calls were down from from May 2010.

 

Mayor Allex and Councilmember Maurice will meet with Chief Schneider at a later time.

 

Change Order – Oak Street

 

Change Order #1 on the 2nd Street Improvement Project was submitted to the council for approval.  The change order was in response to the Coop Country Farmers Elevator’s (CCFE) request that the design of Oak Street be modified to allow heavy vehicle access to their property north of the softball field.  The access will be used for fertilizer traffic only.  CCFE has signed an agreement with the City outlining their responsibility for the costs of the improvements of all of Oak Street to a 9-ton design.

 

Councilmember Maurice moved and Councilmember Simpson seconded a motion to approve Change Order #1 as submitted by City Engineer Lee Elfering.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Partial Pay Estimate #1

 

Councilmember Simpson moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to approve the partial pay estimate #1 in the amount of $89,963.57 to Monson Corporation for the 2nd Street Improvement Project.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Sump Pump Ordinance

 

Tabled

 

Insurance Renewal

 

Mayor Allex and Councilmember Maurice met with Les Schneider, Sr. of Americana Insurance about some questions on the City’s insurance policy.  Street addresses will be put on each insured location for easier identification.  This will include locations such as pump houses, park shelters, the lift station and well house, and others. 

 

The issue of insuring Art Nyquist’s tractor while it’s being used for City snow removal was discussed.  The snow removal contract states that Nyquist is responsible for his own insurance, however it has been past practice for the City to insure the tractor.  Nyquist uses the City’s blower on his tractor when removing snow. 

 

Maurice told the council that it costs the City $169 per year to waive the tort liability limit set by the State of Minnesota. 

 

Maurice also presented the council with different deductible options to potentially save the City money.  The savings apply only to the liability portion of the premium, which was $15,661 last year with a $250 deductible.  With a $500 deductible, the premium would be $15,113, with a $1,000 deductible, the premium would be $14,721 and with a $2,500 deductible, the premium would be $13,860.  Many claims filed by the City never had anything paid out on them. 

 

The council feels money will be saved by raising the deductible. 

 

Councilmember Simpson moved and Councilmember Maurice seconded a motion to raise the insurance deductible to $2,500 and to NOT waive the tort liability limit set by the State of MN.  The motion carried unanimously. 

 

Approval of Bills

 

Councilmember Simpson moved and Councilmember Maurice seconded a motion to approve the bills as submitted in the amount of $17,256.48.  The motion carried unanimously. 

 

Rate for Mowing

 

The current rate for mowing a lawn in violation of the City’s Blight Ordinance is $25 plus $30 per hour.  The rate was discussed and no change was made.

 

Community Center/School Gym Rental

 

Clerk Wilson informed the council that there have been 3 non-profit organizations in the past 6 months that have not contacted her for the use of the Community Center and/or School Gym.  The only way she found out about these specific events was through advertising or word of mouth.   Letters have been sent out to the non-profit organizations reminding them of the cleaning and rental guidelines.

 

209 Main Street – tree

 

The resident at 209 Main Street called with a complaint of bugs in a tree on his boulevard and wondered if it was the City’s responsibility.  The council said it’s the homeowner’s responsibility, just as a dead tree would be.

 

Approve Door Open to Bar

 

Councilmember Simpson moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to approve the door between Miller’s on Main and the Community Center to be open for the following events: June 10 – Olga Angeles, graduation party; June 11 – Hallie Kemnitz – Class Reunion; June 18 – Tammy Torkelson/Matt Boreen, wedding reception; June 24 – Maria Vasquez, graduation party; July 9 – Millers on Main Street Dance (in case of rain).  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Transfer of City Funds

 

Councilmember Simpson moved and Councilmember Maurice seconded a motion to transfer $40,000 from savings to checking.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Adjournment

 

There being no further business before the council, Councilmember Simpson moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  With all members voting in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:  Sara Wilson, City Clerk

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