OSAKIS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 3, 2005
7:00
PM
Mayor Astleford called the meeting to order.
The Pledge of Allegiance was spoken.
Present: Hagemann, Nordstrom, Astleford, Emerson
and Timmerman
Absent: None
A motion by Emerson seconded by Timmerman to
approve the minutes from the 12/6 12/9 and 12/15 meetings. All Ayes
A motion by Timmerman seconded by Nordstrom to
approve the bills in the amount of $361,117.94. All Ayes.
A motion by Timmerman seconded by Nordstrom to
approve the Fire Department bills in the amount o $585.29. All Ayes.
Project # 74 Fire Department
Mr. Howard Swenstad was in attendance and asked
the council to consider an increase of benefits from $2,100.00 per
year of service to $2,300.00.
After discussion a motion by Emerson seconded by
Nordstrom to approve the increase. All Ayes.
Project # 6 Theatre Building
Marie Duncan was in attendance and asked the
council to reconsider the $20,000.00 assessment on the theatre lot.
The county has it valued at $5,000.00. No one bid on the property at
the sheriff sale.
The council will be reviewing the assessment at a
later time.
Osakis Realty has stated the value of the lot to
be between $8,000.00 and $10,000.00.
Ralph Laven was in attendance. He presented the
council with stats on the visitors at the Information Center.
The council reviewed Chief Gilsons monthly
Police Report.
Project # 39 Long Range Planning
Councilmember Timmerman would like the Council to
discuss and prepare a list of projects the city will need in the next
5 to 10 years. Also, steps the city can do to be more aggressive in
economic development.
Mayor Astleford provided a copy of a workshop
held in 1999 on an Osakis Area Wide Visioning work program.
After much discussion Councilmember Timmerman and
Nordstrom volunteered to move forward and report back to the council
with information on infrastructure needed in the next 5 to 15 years
along with cost and a comprehensive plan.
Project # 46 Water Rates
Last water and sewer rate increase was 8/6/01.
With upcoming projects and to keep the water/sewer fund afloat should
water and/or sewer rates be increased?
The rate in effect now:
Water $11.00 first 1,000 gallons used, then 1.45
per 1,000.
Sewer $3.04 first 1,000 gallons of water used
then 1.54 per 1,000.
A motion by Timmerman seconded by Astleford to
approve$1.00 water and a $1.00 sewer rate increase. All Ayes.
Project # 73 First Responders
The 2005 elected Officers are:
President/Vice President Stan Schultz
Secretary/Treasurer Karen Reicks
A motion by Emerson seconded by Hagemann to
approve these officers. All Ayes.
Project # 74 Fire Department
The 2005 Fire Department elected Officers are:
Chief Chad
Mathews
1st
Asst. Lee Lueth
2nd
Asst. Howard Swenstad
Training Officer
Mark Pomerleau
Secretary Mark
Ferris
Treasurer Vic
Perushek
2005 Relief Association Officers:
President John
Swenstad
Vice President Brian
Helberg
Board Member
Chris Randall
Board Member
Mark Erickson
Secretary Mark
Ferris
Treasurer Vic
Perushek
Executive Officer Chad
Mathews
A motion by Hagemann seconded by Timmerman to
approve these officers. All Ayes.
Project # 104
The Mayor made the following appointments for
2005
Acting
Mayor
Keith Emerson
Ambulance
Keith Emerson
Cemetery
Sexton
Michael Didier
City
Attorney
Michael Dolan
City
Hall
Gary Astleford
Community
Center Gary
Nordstrom
EDA
Representatives Gary
Astleford
Keith Emerson
Fire
Department
Lloyd Hagemann
Heritage
Center
John Timmerman
Liquor
Store
Lloyd Hagemann
Official
Depository
1st National Bank
Official
Newspaper
Osakis Review
Parks &
Recreation
Keith Emerson
Planning & Zoning Commission
Jon Backes
Reggie Redetzke
Peter Marcotte
Kitty Grant
Michael Petrich
Police
Department
Gary Astleford
Sanitation
Officer
Mark Gilson
School
Liaison
John Timmerman
Streets
Gary Nordstrom
Water/Sewer
Gary Astleford
Weed
Commissioner
Michael Didier
Weed Inspector,
Assistant
Gary Astleford
Civil
Defense
Mark Gilson
Reggie Redetzke
Howard Swenstad
EDA
Committee
Community at
large Ernie Jensen
2007
Business
Rep Dave
Zerr 2006
Industry
Rep Rod
Femrite 2011
Education
Rep John
Peterka 2008
OEDC
Rep Bonnie
Schultz
2008
Religion
None
A motion by Emerson seconded by Hagemann to
approve the mayor appointments. All Ayes.
Project # 143 Cable TV
Charter Communications has increased Cable rates
effective 2/1/05.
The council reviewed their schedule.
Project # 216 Employee
Jo and Gus Berninghaus request a .50 raise from
$8.50 to $9.00 per hour for their janitor jobs at the city hall and
community center. Last raise of $1.00 started 1/1/03.
A motion by Timmerman seconded by Nordstrom to
increase $.50. All Ayes.
The employee Life Insurance limit was discussed
at the last meeting. Prices have been received for $45,000. (15.75
per employee per month).
Councilmember Timmerman would like to go on
record saying he felt the issue was handled wrong and by the wrong
people.
A motion by Nordstrom seconded by Hagemann to
approve the $45,000.00 Life Insurance Plan. Hagemann, Nordstrom,
Emerson Aye, Timmerman Opposed.
Project # 233 Sauk River Watershed District
The SRWD has filed Special Assessments against
the City in the amount of $300,000.00 for 10 years with 3.5%
interest.
Councilmember Nordstrom contacted the League,
Attorney W. Peterson and Julie at the Watershed and submitted a report
to the council.
The Do. Co. Auditor stated the State would not
allow the city to increase the levy at this late date.
After much discussion a motion by Emerson
seconded by Nordstrom to add the assessment to every parcel in the
city limits equally and state on the tax form that this assessment is
the Watershed assessment. Hagemann, Nordstrom, Emerson Aye, Timmerman
nay.
Project # 305 MAPE Union
The council received a copy of the union
contracts for approval.
A motion by Astleford seconded by Hagemann to
approve these contracts. All Ayes.
Project # 321 Visitors Center
It was suggested, at the EDA meeting to divide
the $75,000.00 selling price between the land and building. This
would determine the amount the city gives OEDC for the building.
Osakis Realty Land $110,000.
Bldg.
49,900.
Eldred Realty Bldg.
56,667.
This issued was tabled.
Project # 354 Osakis Womens Association
EDA declined monies to the OWA for park
playground equipment.
Mayor Astleford has several ideas for the
project.
Savings $21,000.00 - OEDC Liquor
Store rent (monthly increase $900.00)
The council would like to see plans etc. before
committing any monies.
Project # 356 MN Dept. of Health
The council reviewed the Department Sanitary
Survey findings.
Project # 357 Lindrite Expansion
A Resolution is needed on the Proposed Business
Subsidy for the Lindrite Precision, Inc. expansion project.
A Resolution was presented by Timmerman seconded
by Hagemann to set up a Public Hearing on Monday February 7, 2005 at
approximately 7:00 pm. When put to a vote the Resolution passed
unanimously.
Howard Swenstad would like the council to
consider removing the stop signs on Main Street at the four way stop
sign on 2nd Ave. E. and Main.
The council will ask for Reggies comments and
get back to Mr. Swenstad.
A motion by Hagemann seconded by Nordstrom to
adjourn. All Ayes.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.
_______________________________________
_______________________________
Lyla J. Engfer Acting City Clerk
Gary L. Astleford Mayor
