CITY OF BARNUM
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
February 8, 2010, 6:00 P.M.
Barnum City Office, Barnum, Minnesota
The February 8, 2010 regular meeting of the Barnum City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Jason Goodwin
ROLL CALL: Mayor: Jason Goodwin; Councilors: Dale Riihiluoma and Dan Kimball. Absent: Darrel Berry
Employees Present: Kris Asperheim (Deputy Clerk), Brett Collier (Maintenance Supervisor), Pam Wait (Liquor Store Manager), Bernadine Reed (City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer).
Others Present: Howie Smith and Lois Johnson.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Kimball, seconded by Riihiluoma and unanimously carried to approve the agenda as submitted.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Riihiluoma, seconded by Goodwin and unanimously carried to approve the consent agenda as submitted.
1. January 11, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes
2. Approval of Accounts Payable (Claims#1846-1915)
3. January Liquor Sales Report
4. January Financial Reports
5. Barnum Post Prom Request (the City donated $50.00 previously)
6. Barnum Scholarship Foundation Request (the City donated $500.00 previously)
GUESTS:
Howie Smith, MSA was present to give the Council an update on the second well project. Smith would like the tax forfeit property on North Street to be looked at for a possible Second Well location. Carlton County submitted a letter to the City asking if there is any disapproval to put it up for sale. The location will be looked at more closely. Smith brought forward a proposal from AET to do some geotechnical exploration for the Second Well. The proposal is $4070.00 for 8 hours of drilling and crew service. Five to ten test holes can be done in that time. This could be done in the next week or two. The Council would like to see as many done as possible in the 8 hours to keep all options open for the location. A motion was made by Kimball, seconded by Riihiluoma and unanimously carried to authorize MSA to have AET perform the geotechnical exploration. Smith is keeping in contact with the PFA about the length of time we have to draw on the funds for the Second Well. The initial project can take up to three years plus allowable extensions. Smith is watching for any future grant monies available. The Council would like MSA to have their structural engineer examine the Municipal building to see is renovation of the current building is feasible. Smith will set up a meeting/conference call.
DEPUTY CLERK REPORT:
Asperheim gave a brief overview for the month.
Zoning Permit 10-01 was issued to Tom Peterson in January to add on a second level to his home.
Animal Control was sent to a home on Ivanhoe Lane who had been previously warned about her dogs running loose.
The Zoning Layer on the Citys GIS Mapping through MSA has been activated and the new Zoning Map should arrive in a few weeks.
Asperheim contacted SCI Broadband to come down and change the connections to one of the new TVs that wasnt coming in very well. SCI will also be supplying the Liquor Store with an HD box in a month or so when it is available in Barnum to enhance the quality of the picture on the new TVs.
A pickup truck went off the road on January 29th and took out one of the Citys Parking for 15 minutes signs across from the Bank. The truck also hit the telephone pole with the stop sign on it. An officer came out and Asperheim explained to him what happened along with a property owner who wrote down the license plate.
Asperheim will be going with Wait to the annual MMBA meeting at Breezy Point.
UTILITIES/MAINTENANCE REPORT:
Collier gave a brief overview of the Utilities/Maintenance Department since the last council meeting. In addition to the routine activities required each month:
There were two water main breaks in town in less than two weeks. Gobel Excavating repaired both of them.
Servocal Instruments was in town to calibrate the main well meter as well as the lift station hour meter. The meters were found to be accurate.
Collier met with Howie Smith and Chris Rousseau regarding the Second Well.
Collier installed the 3 new TVs and brackets at the Liquor Store.
The old sign outside the Liquor Store was removed.
New chains were purchased for the Bobcat tires.
LIQUOR REPORT:
Wait gave a brief overview of the Liquor Store since the last Council Meeting:
Wait and Asperheim requested authorization to attend the MMBA conference, the agenda coincides with many of the issues currently at the Liquor Store. The conference is February 22-24th at Breezy Point in Brainerd. A motion was made by Goodwin, seconded by Kimball and unanimously carried to authorize Wait and Asperheim to attend the MMBA meeting and payment of related expenses.
Wait talked to Wickstrom at the Fair Grounds and found out that there will be a Blue Grass band there in the middle of July and the Trappers will be back at the end of July. Wait will be contacting them to see if the Liquor Store can be of any service to them.
There has been some good snowmobile traffic this year.
Wait and Collier purchased three 42 Visio TVs from Wal-Mart on January 23rd. They also purchased the necessary brackets. The expense was in the budget in 2009 and also budgeted for in 2010. A motion was made by Goodwin, seconded by Kimball and unanimously carried to approve the purchase of three 42 Visio TVs.
The Pull Tabs were $157.00 short for the month of January.
The Liquor liability insurance was discussed. The current insurance is purchased from Capitol Specialty Insurance Corp thru Wells Fargo Insurance Agency. This insurance company is an eligible surplus lines insurer but not licensed by the State of Minnesota. Due to concerns of liability exposure the policy was forwarded to the City Attorney for an opinion. Westermanns response is attached to the agenda voicing many concerns with the current policy. Reed obtained a quote from Carl Brandt with the League of MN Cities Insurance, due to the high cost of coverage from the League; a quote to increase the coverage will be obtained from Wells Fargo Agency and further guidance from Mr. Westermann will be requested. The subject was tabled until the March meeting.
A 2010 proposed Liquor Store budget was presented for approval by the liquor committee, Wait and Reed. Following discussion, motion by Goodwin, seconded by Riihiluoma and unanimously carried to adopt the 2010 Liquor Store budget; receipts-$529,600.00, disbursements-$526,760.96, the full budget is on file in the Clerks office.
Reed requested authorization to transfer $50,000.00 from the Liquor Store checking account to the 4M Fund investment account. A motion was made by Riihiluoma, seconded by Kimball and unanimously carried to authorize Reed to transfer $50,000.00 from the Liquor Store checking account to the 4M Fund.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS:
None
OLD BUSINESS:
Second Well Project: Howie Smith was present to give an update on the project under guests. There is a Contractors payment request attached for the work that was done at the Fair Grounds. The Contractors request for payment number 3 is for $7,774.00. A motion was made by Goodwin, seconded by Kimball and unanimously carried to authorize Contractor payment number 3.
Employment contract and personnel changes: Per recommendation of Westermann, City Attorney the following personnel steps are requested, void Reeds current employment contract, adopt changes to the personnel policy and approve Reeds employment contact. A motion was made by Goodwin seconded by Kimball and unanimously carried to void Resolution 09-26 authorizing Reeds employment contract; authorize two changes to Personnel Policy section 1.10 #3 & #9 and adopt Resolution 2010-03 authorizing Reeds employment contract.
Interest in Council Vacancy: Two residents expressed interest in the vacant Council seat, each of them returned the questionnaire and one of them also submitted a letter of interest. Neither of the residents were present at the meeting, the Council decided to table this until the residents are present for interviewing. A letter will be sent to request their presence at the March meeting before a decision is made.
NEW BUSINESS:
Carlton County request on tax forfeit land: A letter was received by the City from Carlton County asking if the Council disapproves of the sale of a tax forfeited property in the City. The Council does NOT disapprove so no action is needed.
MN State Building Code: The following are recommendations from the Building Committee; adopt Ordinance #121, adopting MN State Building Code; contract with Patrick Conery for building official services; adopt building permit fee schedule from the 1985, 1988 and 1991 uniform building code. The Council reviewed the information. A motion was made by Goodwin, seconded by Riihiluoma and unanimously carried to adopt Ordinance #121, an ordinance adopting the MN State Building code, hire Patrick Conery for building official services and adopt the building permit fee schedule 1985, 1988 and 1991.
Lakes and Pines Audit: The annual audit is available for Council review.
SET NEXT MEETING DATE:
Regular Meeting March 8th, 2010 at 6:00p.m.
A motion was made by Riihiluoma, seconded by Goodwin and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
[seal]
____________________________
Mayor Jason Goodwin
ATTEST:
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Clerk/Treasurer Bernadine Reed
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Recording Secretary Kris Asperheim