REGULAR MEETING 7:00 PM
CITY OF CASSELTON
Monday, February 1, 2010
Council Chambers
Present: Mayor McConnell, Councilmen Anderson, Spooner, Silbernagel, and Tillisch,
Also Present: City Attorney Brad Burgum, Public Works Supervisor Kevin Mayer, Scott & Wendy Mensing, Phil Baril, City Engineer Brandon Oye, Barb Cote Cass County Deputy Steve Hahn, Char Gust, Margert Soberg, Troy Klevgard, Gary Sporell, Diane Sporell, Amanda Gadas, Librarian Bev Drager, Assessor Woody Gunderson, Administrative Assistant Anita Hovland, Auditor Brandy Pyle
Absent: Councilmen Sinner and Wangler.
Anderson made a motion seconded by Tillisch to approve the minutes of January 4; City Attorney's Report, Police Report, Municipal Judge's Report, and the delinquent utilities list. All voted aye on roll call; motion carried.
Tillisch made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to approve the following bills, refunds and salaries for the month of February. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion carried.
| AFLAC | $289.24 | Johnson Pest Control | $55.00 | |
| AMERIPRIDE LINEN & APP | $116.69 | Travis Jorissen | $100.00 | |
| AVESIS VISION | $85.60 | Lake Agassiz Water Authority | $250.00 | |
| Bank ND | $52,858.60 | Mac's Inc | $43.76 | |
| Chris Blixt | $100.00 | Medica | $3,000.99 | |
| Brokers National Insurance | $427.80 | Midnight Solutions | $275.00 | |
| Luke Brown | $100.00 | Moore Engineering | $12,249.31 | |
| Burgum Law | $1,350.00 | NDDOT | $795.27 | |
| Cass Co. Heating | $238.00 | NDLTAP | $50.00 | |
| Cass Co Reporter | $947.80 | ND One Call | $5.20 | |
| Cass Co. Treasurer | $76,164.15 | ND Rural Water Systems | $125.00 | |
| Casselton Drug | $127.20 | Kyle Neumiller | $100.00 | |
| Cass Co. Electric | $423.51 | Xcel | $338.75 | |
| Cass Rural Water | $27,149.78 | ND Dept. of Commerce | $376.18 | |
| CITY OF FARGO | $2,859.10 | Orbitcom | $277.81 | |
| William Dawson | $100.00 | Ottertail | $4,450.55 | |
| Econo Signs | $1,791.76 | Parks & Rec | $5,602.26 | |
| ET Trucking | $150.00 | Power Plan | $286.15 | |
| Fargo Water Equip | $169.64 | Public Service Commission | $40.79 | |
| Farm Plan | $67.17 | Sams Club | $76.42 | |
| Farm Plan | $99.11 | Petro Serve USA | $10,835.48 | |
| Fargo Freightliner | $159.57 | SRF Consulting | $2,269.64 | |
| Casey Garmen | $100.00 | Sturdevant's Inc | $444.43 | |
| Governors' Inn | $1,290.32 | Sweeney Controls | $506.56 | |
| Haugen Cleaning Service | $420.00 | Titan Access Account | $141.63 | |
| Hawkins Chemical Inc | $940.45 | Tourism Committee | $300.00 | |
| Holt Landscape | $588.00 | Verizon Wireless | $147.06 | |
| Ignus Technologies | $261.25 | American Welding | $100.00 | |
| Jerry's Excavating | $2,129.97 | Workforce Safety & Ins | $4,076.50 |
Silbernagel a motion, seconded by Tillisch to approve the financial reports for January. General fund $301,280.15; Special Revenue Fund $415,640.19; Debt Service Fund $186021.56; Construction Funds $864878.80; Special Assessments $407,955.75; Enterprise Funds $440,948.24; Trust and Agency Fund $19,913.88; total $2,636,638.57. All voted aye upon roll call vote; motion carried.
Public Works Supervisor Kevin Mayer reported that he has been working with the State Health Department to identify a new sample site for newly mandated water testing.
He and City Auditor Brandy Pyle plan to attend a meeting with FEMA on Thursday to discuss DFIRM Floodplain Mapping. Pyle reported that she is working on engineering costs project worksheets with ND Department of Emergency Services from the 2009 spring flood. Mayer reported that the Public Works Department is staying busy with snow removal, fixing equipment and winter projects.
Discussion moved to the snow on the roof. Auditor Pyle instructed to contact roofing companies to get a snow removal quote.
The Council discussed proposed ordinance 260 which would amend bar closing times. The Vet's Club and T's Shamrock submitted their opinions in writing against the change. The Red Baron also was not in favor of the time change. Councilman Silbernagel presented an article from the Fargo Forum that discussed drinking issues in North Dakota. The request from Dusty's Tavern at January's meeting so that they would be able to close at 2 a.m. like Club 94, which is not within city limits. Silbernagel made a motion, seconded by Anderson to reject the second reading of proposed ordinance 260. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Margert Soberg, 351 3rd Ave N, approached the Council requesting an abatement and settlement of taxes application of $12,200 for the 2008 property tax. The Council suggested that she get a home appraisal so that she would know how much to ask for the house. City Assessor Woody Gunderson recommended that the request be denied. Silbernagel made a motion, seconded by Tillisch to approve a resolution not to approve the request and to make the recommendation to the Cass County Commission not to change the true and full value for 2008. Tillisch, Silbernagel, Spooner voted aye and Anderson voted nay. Motion passed 4:1. City Assessor noted that he reduced the true and full value 10% from the 2008 valuation to be reflected on the 2009 true and full valuation. Mayor McConnell noted that he has attended County Commission meetings over the past several years requesting the Commission slow the property tax increases as the City has seen increases the past several years.
Phil Baril, 111 9th Ave S, approached the Council requesting an abatement and settlement of taxes for his home that was purchased house in March 2008. He has worked with City Assessor Woody Gunderson and has a register appraisal that valued his home at $81,400 for the 2008 tax year. The City had a true and full value of $124,700 for the same year. The property owner requested the difference in the true and full value of $43,300 be reflected in the property taxes paid in 2008. City Assessor Woody Gunderson recommended approving the request. Silbernagel made a motion, seconded by Anderson to approve a resolution and make a recommendation to the Cass County Commission to change the true and full value. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Discussion moved to the personal policy manual and how work hours and over time are calculated. The question of overtime pay arose because public works employees were working 40 hours a week before 8 hours of holiday pay was calculated during the Christmas and New Years work weeks. The Council agreed to research and see what other communities do. Spooner made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to agree to continue to follow the existing policy manual as it relates to work hours, over time and holiday pay. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Librarian Bev Drager submitted her resignation to the Council. The library board accepted the resignation and Bev has agreed to stay on till the end of May if needed. Bev and Library board president Barb Cote presented information regarding benefits and pay scales for other libraries in the state. The currant librarian does not receive any benefits. Bev noted that the way people use the library is changing and that the new librarian would likely need technology skills. The library board asked for guidance in recruiting a qualified librarian, what benefits could be offered, and defining the position so that they can start advertizing the position. Councilmen Anderson and Silbernagel and Mayor McConnell agreed to serve on a committee to work with the library board.
City Engineer Brandon Oye updated the Council on the status of the Safe Routes to School Project. He noted that all environmental letters were mailed out and once they get them back the project concept report can be sent to the state for review. The project will then put be put out for bids combined with the 4th Avenue North repairs
Public Works Supervisor Kevin Mayer reported that he ahs been working with Moore Engineering to develop an elevation map for the City. This map will help identify areas of concern, or possible breaches, and where the water would go if a major flood event were to occur. The map will be put on the website when finished.
Tillisch made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to approve the raffle permits for Cottonwood Golf Course. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Silbernagel made a motion, seconded by Tillisch to approve the partial release of mortgage for the Vet Clinic Property as a small portion of the property was purchased for the Swann Creek Diversion project. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Silbernagel made a motion, seconded by Tillisch to approve the 2009 year end transfers. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Spooner made a motion seconded by Silbernagel to support Region V Community Development Corporation requests to build a 25 apartment complex. This project was approved in March 2008 for Casselton Meadows LLP. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Auditor Pyle noted that were 3 weapons remaining from the former Casselton Police Department. Silbernagel made a motion, seconded by Tillisch to authorize the Auditor to sell the 2 handguns and shot gun to licensed active or reserve police officers at $300.00 each. All voted aye on roll call voted; motion passed. The uniforms will be donated to Good will.
Council agreed to move the regular March Council meeting to the March 8th.
There have been a few residents are concerned about the snowmobiles riding on sidewalks. Char Gust and Troy Klevgard from the Cass Rural Snowmobile Club attended the meeting to hear the Council's concerns. They recommended that concerned residents call sheriff's department with complaints. Other concerns of dike jumping and riding on the dike were discussed. Areas behind Morningside Drive and Cottonwood Drive are the worst areas for snowmobiles riding on flood protection infrastructure.
Motion to adjourn.
Brandy L. Pyle
City Auditor