Present: Pederson, Astleford, Anderson, Emerson

Absent: None

Mayor Gary Astleford called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance was spoken.

Motion by Anderson, seconded by Pederson, to approve agenda as presented with the addition of the Osakis Visitors Center. All Ayes.

Motion by Pederson, seconded by Emerson, to approve Consent items including City bills in the amount of $461,606.54. All Ayes.

Motion by Emerson, seconded by Anderson to suspend the regular meeting and open the Public Hearing at 7:05 p.m. All Ayes.

Council received the Truth in Taxation notice that was published in the paper.

Clerk Jacobson read the following:

The purpose of the public hearing is to get public comments on the proposed levy amount for 2009. Total levy is $459,036.00; this includes a $22,000.00 increase in the general fund budget and $47,536.00 increase for the First Avenue East and 8th Street East projects. The total levy increase is $69,536.00, which is a 17.8% increase.

The general budget was decreased by $67,711.00, which is a 5.9% decrease.

There were no public comments regarding the proposed levy increase.

Motion by Anderson, seconded by Pederson, to close the public hearing at 7:07 p.m. All Ayes.

Motion by Emerson, seconded by Anderson, to reopen the regular meeting at 7:07 p.m. All Ayes.

Motion by Pederson, seconded by Emerson, to approve to send the final tax levy to the county for the total amount of $459,036.00 for the 2009 tax year. All Ayes.

Council received two quotes for the Liquor Liability Insurance.

1. Wells Fargo – Capitol Specialty Insurance for a cost of $9,758.69.
2. Myron Larson Insurance – Illinois Casualty Company for a cost of $5,162.00. If the City becomes a member of the MN Beverage Association, the cost would be $4,429.00.

The 2008 premium was $10,531.00.

On January 1, 2009, at 9:00 a.m., the City Council, Liquor Store Manager, and Deputy Clerk will do the inventory at the Liquor Store.

The tile work in the men’s bathroom at the Liquor Store is almost complete. The next project will be completing the women’s bathroom.

Motion by Emerson, seconded by Pederson, to approve the Liquor Liability Insurance with Myron Larson Insurance for $4,429.00 and to join the MN Beverage Association. All Ayes.

Pete Erickson and Craig Dropik were in attendance.

Council received the run reports for the month of November.

There were sixteen calls for the month with one no show.

Council thanked them for all the work they do.

Mark Pomerleau was in attendance.

Pomerleau informed the Council that the Fire Department received four letters of resignation. Three firefighters will retire in January and one will retire in August.

There will be a total loss of 75 years of experience with those retiring.

Pomerleau informed the Council that the relief money will need to be discussed in the New Year after they see what the funds have done.

Chief Gilson was not in attendance.

Council received the November Police report.

Ron Kleinschmidt was in attendance.

Council received the Public Works report for the month of November.

The 1st Avenue East Project is complete. The final overlay of blacktop will be done in 2009.

Council received a copy of the letter that was sent to each property owner assessed. Council also received a list of assessments for First Avenue East.

A final assessment Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, at 6:00 p.m., at the Community Center.

A Resolution was presented by Emerson, seconded by Anderson, to approve to hold a Public Hearing on the final assessments for First Avenue East at 6:00 p.m., on December 10, 2008, at the Community Center. When put to a vote, the Resolution passed unanimously.

Council has been informed that 8th Avenue East, from Nestor Street East to the south end of 8th Avenue East, and Osage Street East, will not receive curb or blacktop this fall. The weather has gotten too cold to finish. The project will be finished in the spring of 2009.

Council received a copy of the letters sent to each property owner assessed, and the list of assessments for 8th Avenue East, Nestor and Osage Streets.

A total of $3,000.00 was divided by foot, between the property owners that did not receive blacktop this fall.

A final assessment public hearing will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, at 7:30 p.m., at the Community Center.

A Resolution was presented by Emerson, seconded by Anderson, to approve to hold a Public Hearing on the final assessments for 8th Avenue East, Nestor, and Osage Streets at 7:30 p.m., on December 10, 2008, at the Community Center. When put to a vote, the Resolution passed unanimously.

Clerk Jacobson had mailed notices and forms to the three gas stations in town so they can bid on the 2009 year.

Bid close date was December 1, 2008.

Bid from Deluxe Oil: $.12 per gallon profit on both gas and diesel.

Motion by Emerson, seconded by Anderson, to approve the gas bid from Deluxe Oil for 2009 as bid. All Ayes.

Council received a list of delinquent bills for Douglas County. The delinquent bills will need to be sent to the county to be put on the 2009 taxes.

Motion by Anderson, seconded by Pederson, to approve to send the Delinquent Bills List to Douglas County to be put on the 2009 taxes. All Ayes.

Project #102: EDA

Council received the EDA minutes for November.

Clerk Jacobson informed the Council that John Peterka’s term is up on the EDA Board. The Council will need to appoint a member for his position. Peterka is the representation for the school and would be willing to serve another term.

Also, in January, the Council will need to appoint a new member to take Gary Astleford’s place on the board. Astleford represents the Council, and one of the Council members must serve on the board.

Emerson will ask for comments for appointments in January.

Motion by Emerson, seconded by Anderson, to approve to appoint John Peterka to stay on the EDA Board as the school representative. All Ayes.

Council received a letter from Charter Communications regarding the upcoming changes to the current Osakis channel lineup.

Council received an updated Fee Schedule.

Council does not have any changes or additions.

At the November meeting, the Council asked to see what other cities charge for minimum services for residents that stay or not. Clerk Jacobson presented the Council with a spreadsheet with the responses that she has received.

The Fee Schedule will be adopted the first meeting in January 2009.

Clerk Jacobson will get WAC & SAC fees from other cities to review for the January meeting.

In January, Emerson will ask each Council member what they would like to be in charge of for the Mayor appointments.

Council received a copy of the Planning & Zoning meeting minutes for November 18, 2008.

Council also received a Resolution to pass to approve the Conditional Use Permit requested from Holper Enterprises Inc. for the Car Wash to be located at 310 Nokomis Street West and the Zoning changes from C-2 to C-3 on the properties at 308, 310, and 312 Nokomis Street West.

A Resolution was presented by Anderson, seconded by Emerson, to approve the Conditional Use Permit for 310 Nokomis Street West for the installation of the car wash and rezone the properties at 308, 310, and 312 Nokomis Street West from C-2 to C-3. When put to a vote, the Resolution passed unanimously.

Pederson will contact Stan Kirkof and ask him to submit what he has planned for the property.

Council received a petition of fifty-five names requesting the Council to appoint Ralph Laven for the vacant Council position.

In January, the Council will have a new Mayor and two new Council members. The new Council and Mayor will make the appointment in January for the vacant Council position.

A Resolution was presented by Emerson, seconded by Anderson, to declare a vacancy of the Council. When put to a vote, the Resolution passed unanimously.

Council received a copy of an updated franchise agreement with Centerpoint Energy. Clerk Jacobson did compare the agreement to the current one and the contract is close to the same with a few changes.

Motion by Anderson, seconded by Pederson, to approve the franchise agreement with Centerpoint Energy. All Ayes.

Council received the meeting minutes for November 20, 2008.

The Police Union meeting will be held on Monday 15, 2008, at 4:30 p.m.

Jan Moore informed Clerk Jacobson that the Visitor’s Center is having problems with the lights inside the building. Moore has been replacing several bulbs.

Council received a Payback Calculator which was done by Xcel Energy if they were to install new fixtures that are more efficient. This would result in a total cost savings of $144.00 a year, but the system costs $900.00 to install. This would take 49 months to payback.

Anderson will check into this and see what is needed.

Council received a copy of a letter that Clerk Jacobson received.

The letter was read by Mayor Astleford. The letter was from Don and Wilma Enger regarding that the Council should not allow a Liquor Store at the Gas Mart location.

Mayor Astleford spoke to the Council and public that attended the meeting. He stated that this was his last regular meeting and he thanked them for their patients and for all their support.

Mayor Elect Emerson spoke on behalf of the Council. Astleford has been a great Mayor, and it has been pleasant working these past years with him. Thank You.

Motion by Anderson, seconded by Emerson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. All Ayes.

_______________________                ____________________________

Mayor - Gary L. Astleford                     City Clerk – Angela A. Jacobson