Members Present:  Mayor Kurt Wolf and Councilmember’s, Verdis Flaten, and Lisa Karsten

Members Absent: Matt Valentyn, Jeff Lang

Others Present:   Becky Kuball City Clerk, Dave Osborne Police, Jack Schwichtenberg, Rich Revering, Troy Dahle, Tim Minske, Mark Morris, Marvin Velzke, Steve Nordmeier, Stephanie Culhane, Dave Culhane, Scott Condon, Chad Wendel, Randy Timm, Mark Dietz, Dan Morris
A regular meeting of the Morristown City Council was called to order on Tuesday, 
July 6, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 402 Division Street South by Mayor Kurt Wolf.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by Flaten seconded by Karsten and motion carries to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on June 7, 2010 and Special Work Session held on June 21, 2010. 

Financial Report: Motion by Lang seconded by Flaten motion carries to accept the financial report ending May 31, 2010 as written with a balance of $991,666.76

Motion by Flaten seconded by Karsten and carried unanimously to approve the Police Report and schedule for July 2010.

Fire Department: 
Motion by Flaten seconded by Karsten and motion carries to accept the fire department report as printed.

Dahle was approached by Jim Hermel and asked if the fire department would again be able to have the fire truck available for fire protection at the Rice County Fair during the Enduro and tractor pull and that they would pay $50 per night. They would like to use the Tanker truck also to wet down the track for the events and they would pay to have this service done. Dahle said that they would negotiate the price with them.

Motion by Flaten seconded by Karsten motion carries to let the fire department pick a price and use the tanker.

Dahle asked for approval to purchase paint and to replace a walk in door.

Motion by Flaten seconded by Karsten motion carries to allow the fire department to purchase paint for the fire hall and replace a walk in door.

Dahle wanted to know how the city would like to proceed with the selling of the Tanker truck.

Motion by Wolf seconded by Flaten motion carries to try and sell the tanker truck by sealed bid and if it does not sell for the price that the fire department wants then they can sell on the Richie Auction on September 28, 2010.

Minske presented a list of people that had helped with clean up during and after dam days and would like to send a Thank you letter to them.
Playground equipment at the park needs to be torn down. Karsten asked Dan Morris if the county has finished re writing there ordinance. Dan Morris said that they are still working on it and hope to have it done by this fall.
Minske asked about putting up signs at the bridge that say “No Archery and No Fishing from Bridge.”  Minske will get prices for signs. 
Minske stated that Jerry Voegele is working out very well and he is a very hard worker.
Minske stated that they are in need of another weed whip, and that they have been using his personal one for the last couple of weeks. Minske is willing to sell the city his weed whip for $350 which is half the cost of a new one. 

Motion by Flaten seconded by Karsten motion carries to purchase Minske’s weed whip and broom for $350.

Minske brought up crack sealing and what we are going to do about it. Revering got some prices from a company in the cities that will do it for 35.8 cents per foot, the cost is about half of what we have been quoted in the past. Revering said that this was a really good price. Revering has talked with MN Dot and they have been really good at looking at the different companies and checking things out and they think that this is a good deal.

Motion by Flaten seconded by Karsten motion carries to go ahead and hire the company at 35.8 cents per foot with a cap of $6500 to crack seal the city.

Motion by Flaten seconded by Karsten motion carries to send out letters to Randy Meschke, Troy Dahle, Adam Uittenbogaard, Mike O’Rourke, Todd Schmidtke, Danny Morris, Mark Morris, Kevin Green, Boy scouts and Cub scouts. 

7:30 Public Hearing Meschke Addition 
Revering stated that the 3rd addition needs the final warring coat, because the road is not strong enough and the city is not anticipating any near future growth in that area. Revering got a quote to sweep, fix and final layer estimated cost of about $67,400. There are 21 prosperities in that addition that would be affected. It comes out to be $3,210 per lot, and assessments could be levied for 10 years.
Wolf opened the discussion to the public.
Randy Timm questioned what kind of road would be put in a 7, 9, 10 ton road? Revering thought it would be a 9 or 10 ton road, because there is a lot of construction left out there to be done yet.
Mark Dietz wondered if the owners are paying for the pond area out there. Revering said that the city is exempt from paying for street repairs.
Chad Wendel stated that when they purchased there lots they paid more for them with the top coat included in the purchase price. 
Revering stated that the city was not part of that agreement and from a legal standpoint the city needs to fill the streets and assess the properties.  The bank said that the developer cannot meet that expectation. Mark Morris questioned if the city had taken over the streets in that addition yet. The city has not at this time taken over the streets, but once the streets are completed the city would take over and then maintain the streets.
Nordmeier questioned if the homeowners now own the streets?
Dave Culhane questioned if the bank is now the developer?
Dietz would like to see what the bank has to say about, wondering if there was ever a escrow account set up for the project and if not why?
Nordmeier said the city should send a letter to the bank and provide proof if they are no longer responsible and that the home owners should get copies of the agreement that was signed between them and the developer.
Motion by Wolf seconded by Karsten motion carries to continue this meeting at the next city council meeting.

Zoning Board Report:
Mark Morris stated that there are several homes in town that fall under Nuisance Ordinance 92.21Building Maintenance and appearance. There are home with unfinished siding and broken and boarded up windows. Mark Morris would like to know what the city would like to do about enforcing the ordinance. The zoning board has recommended that a letter be sent out stating that they are in violation of the ordinance. The zoning board would also like letters sent to the owners that have not finished their access driveways. Morris stated that it is the homeowner’s responsibility to pave their driveways per ordinance 152.097. 

Motion my Karsten seconded by Flaten motion carries to send out letters to the homeowners that are in violation of ordinance 92.21 and 152.097.
 
Comments and Suggestions:
Wendy Wangen has some concerns with the safety of the city streets with careless drivers and speeding. She has noticed that there has been excessive speed in the 200 block of Main Street, and up in the Meschke addition. Wangen has talked with others and they are afraid to complain because of repercussions. Wangen questioned if signs can be put up. Wangen wonders if the police department has any ideas how we can slow people down and make the streets safer. Osborne stated that this is the first that he has heard about it. Osborn would like license numbers and names if possible and then they could deal with those individuals.
Revering suggested putting up a speed trailer.
Velzke stated that on June14th his dog was hit on Franklin Street, by a hit and run. He did get a description of the vehicle, but no license number. He stated that the vehicle had speed up and hit the dog, which sounded like a gun going off or someone had blown a tire. Velzke’s observation over the last couple of years is that it seems that the police departments have a big need to monitor Highway 60. Velzke questioned if we have a police department to monitor hwy 60 or to protect the residents and property of those who live in Morristown.
Stephanie Culhane agreed that the Meschke addition does have a higher amount of speed.

Claims and Accounts:
Motion by Flaten seconded by Karsten motion carries to accept the claims and accounts dated July 6, 2010
Motion by Karsten seconded by Flaten motion carries to accept the late claims and accounts dated July 6, 2010

Jamie Jenson could not attend the meeting, but he had two questions for the council. First if they could donate the cost of the hall and second if they require a police officer on the nights of the teen dances in August.
Mark Morris stated that with the cost of the cleaning and the police officer, they were just about at the cost of the hall. Osborne stated that they don’t normally schedule an officer on a Sunday night.
Karsten stated that it was a lock in dance, and if someone is asked to leave can we make them leave the property?
After some discussion it was decided that they could not donate the hall and that a police officer was needed at the dances.

Solicitor, Peddler and Transient Ordinance:
Motion by Flaten seconded by Karsten motion carries by resolution vote Flaten-Yes, Karsten-Yes, Wolf-Yes to publish ordinance.

2010-5 Siding, Windows and Roof permit
The zoning board wants to add a $25 permit for the replacement of siding, windows and roofs. Karsten commented that if someone has a tornado come through or a baseball through the window or other natural disasters then the homeowner would be strapped already. Mark Morris stated that most people carry insurance and that would be covered under the insurance claim. The board is just recommending if they are replacing windows because they are getting old or upgrading to better windows. Byer is available at all times to check on these things.  The zoning board will be somewhat lax until the word gets out that there is a new ordinance that requires a permit.
Motion by Flaten seconded by Karsten motion carries by resolution vote. Karsten-Yes, Flaten-Yes, Wolf-yes to accept  2010-5 Siding, Window and Roof permit.

Kuball Review: Review sheets were handed in.

Morris Review: Karsten is still working on the review sheet.

Special/Work Session Meeting: 
Motion by Karsten seconded by Flaten motion carries to change the special/work session meetings to Regular Meetings.

Certificate of correction: Revering had a Certificate of correction that needed to be signed on the legal description of the Meschke Addition. 
Motion by Karsten seconded by Flaten motion carries to acknowledge accepting the correction.

Bond Refunding option: Motion by Karsten seconded by Flaten motion carries to have Paul Donna bring us the information that we need to look at for bond refunding.

Kuball requested vacation from July 26th to the 30th. 
Motion by Flaten seconded by Karsten motion carries to grant vacation time to Kuball from July 26th to the 30th.

Comments and Announcements: Mary Livingston resigned. 
Motion by Karsten seconded by Flaten motion carries to accept Mary Livingston’s resignation. 

Meeting closed at 9:30 for employee evaluation
Meeting open at 9:53
Motion by Karsten Seconded by Flaten motion carries to give Minske a 5% pay increase for performance.

Motion by Karsten seconded by Flaten motion and carries to adjourn at 9:55 p.m.
 
 
 
 

Becky Kuball
                 City Clerk/Treasurer