City of Osakis City of Osakis  

SPECIAL MEETING

DECEMBER 15, 2004

10:00 AM

 

Mayor Astleford called the meeting to order.  

Present:  Hagemann, Nordstrom, Astleford, Emerson and Timmerman  

Absent:  None 

Project # 233 – Sauk River Watershed 

The Sauk River Watershed District has filed Special Assessments against the City to the County Auditors in the estimated amount of $300,000.00 for 10 years with 3.5% interest. 

The City Clerk called Tom Reddick, Do. Co. Auditor to have him explain and get figures on several different options.  

  1. Bill the city once a year for the amount due.  Amount and interest charge? $25,668.00 payable by November 1, 2005, if not paid add a additional 3.5% interest.
  2. Increase levy?  Mr. Reddick is checking with the State of Minnesota.
  1. Create a Special Watershed Assessment and tax all parcels equal in the city.  Amount for each parcel?  Do. Co. about $33.00  Todd Co. about $34.00

Concerns on the ditch were who is responsible for doing it wrong.  Also if legal action taken against WSN and monies received would the city receive any? 

The consensus of the council was to have Gary Nordstrom contact the League, Attorney Wm. Peterson and Julie at the Watershed to obtain additional information and report back at the 1/3/05 meeting.  

Chief Mark Gilson was in attendance and wanted the council to be notified that the clerk has sent a memo stating the city has a life insurance policy for $25,000.00 now and if employees wanted to continue the PERA Life Insurance previously paid by the city they could thru payroll deduction.  

The PERA Life Insurance is a term life with values decreasing value with age. 

Years ago this was a good life insurance for all employees and good for the city because of reasonable rates.  Value varies from $225,000.00 for under age 25 and $7,500.00 for 65 and over.  Now with employees aging several employees do not have insurance valued at $25,000.00.  However, Chief Gilson has a value of $65,000.00 and is concerned about his younger officers losing insurance values.

Since the city is only required to provide $25,000.00 this can be done for $8.75 an employee. 

After discussion Councilmember John Timmerman volunteered to talk to Myron Larson, our insurance agent, for answers.  

A motion by Emerson seconded by Hageman to adjourn.  All Ayes 11:30 am. 

 

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Lyla J. Engfer – Acting Clerk                Gary L. Astleford – Mayor