REGULAR MEETING 7:00 PM
CITY OF CASSELTON
Monday, March 8, 2010
Council Chambers
Present: Mayor McConnell, Councilmen Anderson, Spooner, Silbernagel, Tillisch, Wangler and Sinner
Also Present: City Attorney Del Losing, Public Works Supervisor Kevin Mayer, City Engineers Kyle Meyer and Brandon Oye, Cass County Corporal Dean Haaland, Librarian, Bev Drager, Library Board President Barb Cote, Chris Prochnow, Fire Chief Tim Mclean, Steve Link, Dan Weber, Gary Sporell, Diane Sporell, Amanda Gadas, Administrative Assistant Anita Hovland, Auditor Brandy Pyle
Tillisch made a motion seconded by Wangler to approve the minutes February 1; 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 Sinner to approve the following bills, refunds and salaries for the month of March. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion carried.
| Advanced Business Methods | $617.81 | Carissa Metzger | $100.00 | |
| Aflac | $289.24 | MJ Dalsin | $1,800.00 | |
| Ameripride | $233.38 | ND One Call | $10.40 | |
| Bremer Bank | $650.00 | ND Solid Waste & Recycling | $50.00 | |
| Burgum Law | $1,350.00 | Wayne Niles | $2.42 | |
| Cass Co. Reporter | $849.60 | Aaron Nudell | $100.00 | |
| Cass Co. Treasurer | $10,018.29 | ND Dept. of Commerce | $376.82 | |
| Casselton Drug | $45.00 | Orbitcom | $583.72 | |
| Cass County Electric | $468.66 | Ottertail Power | $4,609.13 | |
| Cass Rural Water | $27,309.17 | Brad Parkhouse | $100.00 | |
| Petro Serve | $4,411.34 | Pete Silbernagel | $38.00 | |
| City of Fargo | $3,019.30 | Phyllis Baumgarten | $125.00 | |
| Dakota Tire Service | $892.50 | Tylar Plantz | $100.00 | |
| Heather Davidson | $100.00 | Powerplan | $702.57 | |
| Farm Plan | $14.30 | Prairie Supply | $396.00 | |
| Fargo Freightliner | $123.03 | Samuel Propsom | $100.00 | |
| Gerdau Ameristeel | $55.92 | Carol Ratchenski | $100.00 | |
| Guardian | $473.14 | Colette Ritter | $100.00 | |
| Hardware Hank | $651.09 | Sam's Club | $36.00 | |
| Haugen Cleaning Service | $360.00 | Snaitation Products | $588.00 | |
| Hawkins Chemical Inc | $1,881.40 | SRF | $850.70 | |
| Molly Hermanson | $100.00 | State Auditor | $165.00 | |
| Holt Landscape | $808.50 | Sturdevant's Inc | $805.35 | |
| Fargo Hose Company | $1,883.25 | Swanston Equipment | $199.00 | |
| Jerry's Excavating | $752.50 | Verizon Wireless | $147.06 | |
| Johnson Pest Control | $190.00 | Weber Insurance | $753.00 | |
| Kevlott Testing Services | $55.00 | American Welding | $125.00 | |
| Karen Lietz | $100.00 | Wallwork Truck | $412.05 | |
| Lightowler Johnson Associates | $1,593.75 | Xcel | $279.50 | |
| Advanced Business Methods | $617.81 | Carissa Metzger | $100.00 | |
| Aflac | $289.24 | MJ Dalsin | $1,800.00 | |
| Ameripride | $233.38 | ND One Call | $10.40 | |
| Bremer Bank | $650.00 | ND Solid Waste & Recycling | $50.00 | |
| Burgum Law | $1,350.00 | Wayne Niles | $2.42 | |
| Cass Co. Reporter | $849.60 | Aaron Nudell | $100.00 | |
| Cass Co. Treasurer | $10,018.29 | ND Dept. of Commerce | $376.82 | |
| Casselton Drug | $45.00 | Orbitcom | $583.72 | |
| Cass County Electric | $468.66 | Ottertail Power | $4,609.13 | |
| Cass Rural Water | $27,309.17 | Brad Parkhouse | $100.00 | |
| Petro Serve | $4,411.34 | Pete Silbernagel | $38.00 | |
| City of Fargo | $3,019.30 | Phyllis Baumgarten | $125.00 | |
| Dakota Tire Service | $892.50 | Tylar Plantz | $100.00 | |
| Heather Davidson | $100.00 | Powerplan | $702.57 | |
| Farm Plan | $14.30 | Prairie Supply | $396.00 | |
| Fargo Freightliner | $123.03 | Samuel Propsom | $100.00 | |
| Gerdau Ameristeel | $55.92 | Carol Ratchenski | $100.00 | |
| Guardian | $473.14 | Colette Ritter | $100.00 | |
| Hardware Hank | $651.09 | Sam's Club | $36.00 | |
| Haugen Cleaning Service | $360.00 | Snaitation Products | $588.00 | |
| Hawkins Chemical Inc | $1,881.40 | SRF | $850.70 | |
| Molly Hermanson | $100.00 | State Auditor | $165.00 | |
| Holt Landscape | $808.50 | Sturdevant's Inc | $805.35 | |
| Fargo Hose Company | $1,883.25 | Swanston Equipment | $199.00 | |
| Jerry's Excavating | $752.50 | Verizon Wireless | $147.06 | |
| Johnson Pest Control | $190.00 | Weber Insurance | $753.00 | |
| Kevlott Testing Services | $55.00 | American Welding | $125.00 | |
| Karen Lietz | $100.00 | Wallwork Truck | $412.05 | |
| Lightowler Johnson Associates | $1,593.75 | Xcel | $279.50 | |
| Dean McMurry | $100.00 |
Anderson a motion, seconded by Tillisch to approve the financial reports for January. General fund $331,369.20; Special Revenue Fund $273,113.85; Debt Service Fund $234,222.21; Construction Funds $863,081.53; Special Assessments $384,049.98; Enterprise Funds $497,356.93; Trust and Agency Fund $23,831.56; total $2,607,025.26. All voted aye upon roll call vote; motion carried.
Public Works Supervisor Kevin Mayer reported that they have been working on opening storm drains. He and Auditor Brandy Pyle attended a FEMA mapping meeting. The new flood plain maps should be available sometime in the fall of 2012.
Mayer reported that the extra water in the diversion could be from spring or artesian wells that are near the railroad bridge close to the diversion. City Engineer Kyle Meyer reported that he has seen more water in other drains in Cass County. The water table is extremely high. Mayer said that all pipes in the system have been checked.
Mayor McConnell noted that the streets are looking pretty rough after the winter. The streets themselves are rising up. Once the frost leaves, the streets will settle back down.
Mayor McConnell noted that he and the Council expressed their deepest sympathies to the family of Brad Burgum. Brad served as City Attorney for 30 years and served on several City Committees.
Mayor McConnell also congratulated the Central Cass Girls Basketball team at the State Tournament.
Cass County Corporal Dean Haaland that they have been following up on snowmobile issues. The snowmobile patrol has been out, but hopes to wind down soon for the season.
Sinner made a motion, seconded by Wangler to approve the resolution accepting the petition to vacation a portion of 36th Street. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Library Board President Barb Cote and Librarian Bev Drager approached the Council to discuss the idea of hiring a full time librarian. They asked the Council for financial support for the remainder of the current fiscal year and plan to incorporate their request for 2011 in the budget proposal. The requested funds would pay for the benefits the library board plans to offer. Cote reported that they have lost volunteers, and the Friends of the Library. The full time position would be responsible for grant writing and finding new volunteers. The salary would depend on experience. Silbernagel made a motion, seconded by Tillisch to show support for the new position and to dedicate $6,000 from the major projects fund to assist with a new librarian's benefit package for the remainder of the 2010 fiscal year to be formalized at the next City Council meeting. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Fire Chief Tim Mclean, firefighters Steve Link and Chris Prochnow approached the Council to discuss the property located at 131 Langer Avenue North. The owners have lowered the price to $39,900. The Fire Department asked if the City would be interested in purchasing the property together. Discussion continued about zoning and variances. After considerable discussion, Sinner made a motion, seconded by Anderson to agree to purchase the property, splitting the cost with the fire department 50% contingent on an agreement that the Fire Department do the same. Funds will be taken from the major project fund. Silbernagel, Anderson, Wangler, Sinner, Tillisch voted aye; Spooner voted nay. Motion passed 5:1.
Dan Weber from Weber Insurance approached the Council to discuss the current liquor license bond that all liquor establishments are required to have. He explained that the current bond does not cover unpaid utilities. A situation arose when a bar closing its doors without paying the City utility bill and was not the owner of the building. The building was also sold at that time. Weber explained that there were three different bonds the City could require, a license bond, a utility bond or liquor liability (Dram insurance). Each bond has different underwriting and costs. City Attorney Del Losing noted that if a change were made, it would require a change in the existing liquor license ordinance. The Council did not take any action.
Wangler made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to approve the proclamation that April 1, 2010 be Census Day in Casselton. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Silbernagel made a motion, seconded by Tillisch to approve the proclamation that the City of Casselton recognizes City Government week April 12-16, 2010. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Wangler made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to approve the emergency deceleration for 2010 spring flooding disaster. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed. This allows the City to request County, the CORE of Engineers or other outside help if need be.
The Council discussed the Safe Routes to School Sidewalk project. The State DOT decided to take over the bidding portion of the project. With that change, plans now need to be submitted 10 weeks prior to the bid. The Council agreed (with no vote taken) that the project will be financed with special assessments with special consideration for those residents who paid for new sidewalks in the Langer Avenue 2005 Sidewalk project. Silbernagel made a motion, seconded by Anderson to approve the project plans for submission to the DOT. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Tillisch made a motion, seconded by Sinner to appoint Scott Kost and Ken Habiger to 3 year terms on the Casselton Job Development Authority. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Tillisch made a motion, seconded by Anderson to approve raffle permit for the Casselton Lions Club Team and Team North Dakota Elite (wrestling entity). All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Silbernagel made a motion, seconded by Spooner to approve the out of town clay dirt request for Mark Meyers. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Discussion moved to the Whistle Free Zone. Councilman Anderson proposed a 1/2 cent sales tax increase to the existing 1 cent sales tax. He proposed that 3/4 of all collections could be dedicated to the Whistle Free Zone and the remaining amount could be used to fund other projects. He calculated that the quiet zone could be paid off in about 14 years. Another idea discussed was to dedicate the entire one cent sales tax collections to the project. Dan Weber, a member of the Sales Tax Committee, noted that he receives complaints when one project ties up the fund for a long period of time. He would like to see a portion of the collection dedicated, leaving some money to fund other projects. Council discussed the potential county wide 1/2 cent sales tax for flood protection. An advisory question on the ballot would only need a simple majority to pass. The idea of created a sunset clause for a new 1/2 cent sales tax was also presented. Silbernagel made a motion, seconded by Tillisch to put an advisory question on the June election ballot that would ask constituents to dedicate 3/4 of the current one cent sales tax collections to the Quiet Zone Project. Silbernagel, Spooner, Wangler, Tillisch voted aye; Anderson and Sinner voted nay. Motion passed. 4:2
City Attorney Del Losing reported that they advertized the Habiger and City lots but did not receive any bids. He spoke to the Habiger Estate Representative and plans to re advertize the lots later this spring.
There have been discussions in the Cass County area of some type of committee to make decision on the Red River Flooding issues. The City of Fargo has been pushing the issue, and the rest of the area has not been in favor of this as federal people will be making the decisions for the flooding issues in the Red River Basin area. Rural areas are afraid that this committee would only listen to the bigger cities requests and not listen to the rural areas that are affected during a flood event. Council agreed that this would not be in Casselton's best interest.
The Council agreed to move the April regular Council meeting to April 13.
The Council discussed the Absaraka Dam. If a failure were to occur, it should not have any affect on the City. Repairs to the Dam were done last summer from the 2009 Flood, but does not have any vegetation on it yet.
Motion to Adjourn.
Brandy L. Pyle
City Auditor