REGULAR MEETING 7:00 PM
CITY OF CASSELTON
Monday, October 6, 2008
Council Chambers
Present: Mayor McConnell, Councilmen Anderson, Silbernagel, Spooner, Sinner, and Tillisch.
Also Present: Public Works Supervisor Kevin Mayer, City Attorney Brad Burgum, City Engineers Kyle Meyer and Kyle McCamy, Deputy Steve Hahn, Deputy Craig Danielson, City Auditor Brandy Pyle, and Administrative Assistant Carol Adamski.
Audience: Mona and Bill Franck, Dave Scheer, Aaron Nudell, and Cass County Reporter Amanda Gades.
Mayor McConnell called the meeting to order.
Sinner made a motion seconded by Tillisch to approve the minutes of September 8, 23; City Attorney's Report, Police Report, Municipal Judge's Report, and the delinquent utilities list. All voted aye on roll call; motion carried.
Silbernagel made a motion seconded by Tillisch to approve bill to Contemporary Builders for $135,304.00 for the Casselton Pool with the condition that the Pool Committee approves at their meeting on October 8th.
Anderson made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel, to approve the following bills, water deposit refunds and salaries for the month of October. All voted aye upon roll call vote; motion carried.
| AFLAC | $122.12 | Mac's | $68.87 | |
| Ameripride | $96.15 | Johnson Pest Control | $1,025.00 | |
| Avesis | $71.80 | Kaufman Const. | $2,210.00 | |
| Todd Berger | $100.00 | Laneys | $3,335.00 | |
| Blue Cross of ND | $6,357.15 | Master construction | $261,531.25 | |
| Berts Truck Equipment | $215.78 | Moore Engineering | $30,924.00 | |
| Burgum Law Firm | $3,513.33 | ND State Tax Dept | $1,603.36 | |
| Bill Carlson | $58.07 | ND One Call | $81.84 | |
| Brokers National | $229.60 | ND Sewage Pump | $6,985.00 | |
| Burnies | $257.22 | Northern Engine | $1,474.92 | |
| Capitol Family Restaurant | $14.00 | Xcel | $61.20 | |
| Cass County Reporter | $793.10 | Officemax | $1.09 | |
| Cass County Treasurer | $9,358.00 | ND Dept of Commerce | $367.38 | |
| Cass County Electric | $326.54 | Ohnstad Twichell | $3,000.00 | |
| Casselton Public Library | $5,000.00 | Opp Construction | $243,074.01 | |
| Cass Rural Water | $28,731.85 | Overhead Door | $1,318.86 | |
| Catco Parts | $610.61 | Ottertail | $2,989.18 | |
| City of Fargo | $3,202.90 | Parks and Recreation | $25,000.00 | |
| Contemporary Builders | $135,304.00 | Rural Leadership Council | $1,375.00 | |
| Coldwell Banker | $100.00 | S & S Landscaping | $560.41 | |
| Coyote Enterprises | $6.00 | Power Plan | $465.58 | |
| Dakota Tire Service | $888.46 | Sanitation Products | $2,730.73 | |
| Don Larsen | $249.71 | Petro Serve | $1,586.21 | |
| Dougherty Co | $5,750.00 | Starion Bond Service | $70,819.30 | |
| Ed McConell | $205.12 | Swanstons Equipment | $1,692.91 | |
| Fargo Water Equip. | $29.24 | Sturdevant's Inc | $65.65 | |
| Farm Plan | $136.21 | Team Lab | $4,182.00 | |
| Fargo Freightliner | $21.85 | Sweeney Controls | $199.66 | |
| Fox Valley Systems | $1,266.06 | Valley Landscaping | $600.00 | |
| First State Bank | $16,000.00 | Verizon | $108.44 | |
| Sheyenne Gardens | $165.00 | American Welding | $6.40 | |
| Hardware Hand | $206.26 | City of West Fargo | $140.00 | |
| Hawkins Chemical | $932.92 | Wisnewski's Tree Cutting | $1,400.00 | |
| ITD | $30.75 |
Tillisch made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to approve and file the financial reports. General Fund $275,494.33; Special Revenue Funds $58,0394.49; Debt Service Funds $123,973.50; Construction Funds ($255,140.57); Special Assessment Funds $518,890.07; Enterprise Funds $854,134.38; Trust and Agency Funds $121,507.14 for a total of $2,219,253.34.
Kevin Mayer Public Works Supervisor reported that his department is caught up on the work and are getting the equipment ready for snow. The pump at lift station number 5 has been replaced and lift station number 1 needs a new wiring kit.
Councilman Wangler arrived at this time.
Mayor McConnell reported that he had purchased a new pickup for Public Works Department, a used 2008 with full warranty. He hopes to sell the old pickup and still be able to purchase a new mower. Kevin Mayer presented bids for a new mower from Central Sales and Titan Machinery. The bids were opened and discussed. Mayer was instructed to research the mowers that were in the bids and report back to the Council.
Mayer reported that the market for recycling had declined. Magazines and tin cans are about $5.00 per ton. Recycling magazines and tin cans would save the City the cost of hauling to Fargo Landfill, which is $30 per ton. The Council instructed Mayer to test recycling magazines for 6 to 9 months. Mayer will purchase needed equipment. A notice will be issued to the public.
Mayer then presented a quote from Casselton Lumber for vinyl fencing around both recycling areas. He noted that the recycling areas need to be improved. The cost of material will be $1,400.00 per site. The fencing would need to be installed in the spring.
The discussion turned to two residences that are under violation of the nuisance ordinance. One of the homeowners is scheduled to appear in municipal court later this month. The other offender is scheduled to appear in District Court on October 28. Several neighbors were in attendance and voiced their concerns. City Attorney Brad Burgum indicated that it maybe helpful if the neighbors were in attendance at the hearing. Burgum will notify the neighbors of the time and place for the hearing. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the neighbors concerns and what can be done to rectify the situation. One of the neighbors indicated that at one point there were a couple of hundred used batteries on the property and there was no HAZMAT endorsement. The Council assured the neighboring homeowners that the will try everything they can to help alleviate their concerns.
Mayer was instructed to mow 221 9th Avenue North and send a bill as nuisance letters regarding the lawn were sent in June and September 2008.
Sinner made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to appoint Phil Spooner and Dorothy Moum to the Sales Tax Committee for 3 year terms. All voted aye on roll call, with Spooner abstaining; motion carried.
Anderson made a motion, seconded by Wangler to appoint Todd Meyer and Tom sinner to the Tourism Committee for 3 year terms. All voted aye on roll call, with Sinner abstaining; motion carried.
Auditor Brandy Pyle reported the Tourism Committee has been discussing a Welcome to Casselton sign on the west side of town by the reservoir. She questioned whether the Council would be willing to allocate the reserved sales tax money for a sign on the south side of town. Anderson and Spooner who are on the Sign Committee suggested that the Sign Committee be abolished and the responsibilities of creating a welcome to Casselton sign and the allocated sales tax money are transferred to the Tourism Committee. Anderson made a motion, seconded by Spooner to abolish the Sign Committee and transfer responsibility and allocated sales tax funds to the Tourism Committee. All voted aye on roll call; motion carried.
The next topic of discussion was the bids for snow removal. Only one bid was received. The bid was not opened and the bid opening was tabled until more bids were received. The snow removal bids will be advertised again.
Sinner made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to approve a raffle permit for Dollars for Scholars. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Anderson made a motion, seconded by Sinner to approve a raffle permit for Casselton Business Association. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
The discussion moved to the properties that have not responded to letters sent regarding installation of sidewalks. The properties located at 732 8th Avenue South, and 622 Martins Avenue have not installed sidewalks. If sidewalks are not installed October 30, the City will have them installed and bill the residences. Silbernagel made a motion, seconded by Anderson to send a certified letter to both residences regarding sidewalks. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
The Planning and Zoning Commission requested that expenses be paid for 2 people to attend a Planning and Zoning Conference on November 5 and 6 in Bismarck. Silbernagel made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to approve expenses for 2 attendees conditioned upon who is presenting the conference. All voted aye on roll call; motion carried.
Sinner made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to Proclaim October 22, 2008, Arbor Day in the City of Casselton. All voted aye on roll call; motion carried.
Auditor Brandy Pyle briefly discussed plans for a monthly e-mail news update. Pyle would like to obtain residences e-mails and send information regarding city information via e-mail. The Council thought this was a good idea and encouraged her to proceed with the plan.
Tillisch made a motion, seconded by Sinner to approve the annual audit contract with Harold Rotunda, CPA. All voted aye on roll call; motion passed.
Wangler made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to approve Sheriff Contract. All voted aye on roll call; motion passed.
City Engineer Kyle Meyer, Moore Engineering, reported on Special Assessment District # 20 the Industrial Park. There were no appeals from the special assessment hearing on September 15. September 15. Meyer will e-mail the assessment list to the Council members. Meyer reported that the curb and gutter have been poured and have started pouring the street. The work on Heartland Avenue will start this week depending on the weather. Sinner made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to approve Special Assessment list for District #20. All voted aye on roll call; motion carried.
Meyer then discussed the Flood Control Project 2008. The Project bid had been let upon approval of the Joint Powers Agreement. The project has been funded at 50% by the State Water Commission. The Council will meet to determine the assessment amount each year with available extra funds to be dedicated to pay the City's financial responsibility of the project. If additional land is annexed into the City during the 20 year assessment, the assessments will be recalculated to include this property as it will benefit from the project. Sinner made a motion, seconded by Spooner to create a City wide special assessment district and adopt Resolution of Necessity for the Flood Control Project 2008. All voted aye on roll call, motion carried.
Wangler made a motion, seconded by Tillisch to pay Master Construction partial payment #10 for Improvement project #19 (Cottonwood Estates) in the amount of $261,531.25. All voted aye on roll call, motion carried
Anderson made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to pay Moore Engineering $8,974.00 for 98% completion of Improvement project #19(Cottonwood Estates). All voted aye on roll call, motion passed.
Silbernagel made a motion, seconded by Sinner to pay Opp Construction partial payment #3 in the amount of $243,074.01 for Industrial Project #20 ( Industrial Park). All voted aye on roll call, motion carried.
Mayor McConnell voiced concern that trucks in the Industrial Park area are damaging the curbs. He suggested that an apron needs to be installed at some of the driveways. Kyle Meyer will write a letter to the affected property owners relaying the concerns and suggesting the aprons be installed.
Sinner made a motion, seconded by Wangler to pay Moore Engineering $21,950.00 for work completed on Improvement Project # 20(Industrial Park). All voted aye on roll call; motion carried.
Meyer then explained the benefits of a Capitol Improvement Plan (CIP). A CIP is a blueprint that could be used by the City to plan, schedule and finance infrastructure projects in the future. Moore Engineering would provide a draft of CIP in December for the Council to review, make any revisions needed and have a final draft to present to the Council in January 2009. Wangler made a motion, seconded by Sinner to have Moore Engineering provide the City with CIP plan. All voted aye on roll call; motion carried.
Meyer then discussed the Safe Routes to School Program. Applications are due toward the end of November. The Council will need to meet to determine what type of funding they will request in the application. A meeting was scheduled for October 22, 2008 at City Hall. Members of the School Administration and School Board will be invited.
Motion to Adjourn
Carol Adamski
Administrative Assistant