Present: Emerson, Gulbranson, Olson, Pederson

Absent: None

Pederson presented Mayor Elect Emerson with the Oath of Office.

Mayor Emerson presented Gulbranson and Olson with the Oath of Office.

Mayor Emerson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance was spoken.

Motion by Pederson, seconded by Olson to approve the agenda as presented and to move #104 Mayor Appointments to the end of the meeting. All Ayes.

Motion by Pederson, seconded by Gulbranson, to approve consent items, including December City bills in the amount of $226,308.02, and meeting minutes from December 1, 2008, December 10, 2008, December 15, 2008. All Ayes.

Dan O’Brien was not in attendance regarding the off-sale liquor at the Gas Mart Convenience Store location. O’Brien would like the Council to appoint a committee to meet with him.

Ketelboeter, Emerson, and Olson will serve on the committee for off sale liquor at the Gas Mart Convenience Store location.

Craig Dropik and Pete Erickson were in attendance.

Council received the Run Report for the month of December.

First Responder Officers will remain the same:

President: Craig Dropik

Sec/Treas.: Pete Erickson

Ten First Responders will receive stipend for responding to at least 20% of the calls for 2008.

On January 24, 2009, the First Responders would like to take the rig out to Head of the Lakes Resort if the Council approves.

Council has no problem with the First Responders using the rig.

Mark Pomerleau was in attendance.

Pomerleau reported to the Council that December was a hard month. Pomerleau informed the Council that the mutual aid from other cities was great. They helped to cover for the funeral.

Officers for 2009:

Chief: Mark Pomerleau

1st Assistant: Chad Mathews

2nd Assistant: Jon Backes

Training Officer: Ray Euerle

Secretary: Jim Anitzberger

Treasurer: Vic Perushek

Relief Officers for 2009:

President: Chris Randall

Vice President: Lenny Boogaard

Board Member: Ray Euerle

Board Member: Jon Backes

There are six retirements for 2009. One member unexpectedly resigned.

Emerson, Pederson, and Clerk Jacobson met with the Relief Board and were informed about the issues facing the relief fund. Council knows that times are tough and that they will be worked through.

Motion by Olson, seconded by Pederson, to approve the officers for the Fire Department and Fire Department Relief Association for 2009. All Ayes.

Chief Gilson was in attendance.

Council received the December Police report.

Ron Kleinschmidt was in attendance.

Kleinschmidt informed the Council that 3.6 million gallons of water was produced with 5.3 million gallons of sewer pumped.

Kleinschmidt also informed the Council that the City Crew has been busy with plowing and snow removal.

Council received information on a leadership conference for:

Newly Elected Officials – Cost is $285.00

Experienced Officials – Cost is $220.00

Council will talk with Clerk Jacobson if interested in attending the conferences.

Council received change order #2 for extra fabric stabilization.

Council also received a letter from Attorney John Lervick regarding the assessments that are being appealed for the project for Nichol Moore, Merlin and Cindy Wolterstorff, and Paul Hartmann. Clerk Jacobson has sent this information to our City attorney.

Question was brought up regarding if an individual can appeal the assessment if the assessments are not satisfied.

Ron Kleinschmidt will find out what DOT is doing for Hwy 27 before doing the final wear course on 8th Avenue East.

A Resolution was presented by Pederson, seconded by Gulbranson, to approve change order #2 for $1,665.00. When put to a vote, the Resolution passed unanimously.

Council received the EDA minutes from December 22, 2008.

Council will need to make an appointment to the EDA Board to replace Gary Astleford.

The EDA approved to put an ad in the Osakis Visitor’s Guide for $300.00. This ad will be for half a page. If the City wants to put an ad in the guide, the other half of the page would be $300.00. Council received a copy of the ad that the City put in the 150th Anniversary Visitor’s Guide.

Motion by Olson, seconded by Gulbranson, to approve to put a half page ad in the Osakis Visitor’s Guide for $300.00. All Ayes.

Motion by Olson, seconded by Gulbranson, to appoint Council Member Bruce Pederson to the EDA Board. All Ayes.

Council received a Resolution for the Council to approve for the Immaculate Conception Church raffle for the spring carnival that will be held March 29, 2009.

A Resolution was presented by Olson, seconded by Pederson, to approve the Gambling License for Immaculate Conception Church raffle for March 29, 2009. When put to a vote, the Resolution passed unanimously.

Council received a letter from the Minnesota Department of Revenue regarding the official cut in our second half of the Local Government Aid. $34,482.00 was cut from the second half.

Discussion of whether the Council should meet and discuss how to balance the budget. Clerk Jacobson is wondering if the shortage should be taken from the surplus savings or the Liquor Store savings for 2008.

It was suggested to wait until the audit is finished and adjustments are made.

Council received the fee schedule with the Building Code updates.

Council also, received a spreadsheet for the minimum billed services for other cities, the Water Access Charge (WAC), and the Sewer Access Charge (SAC0 for other cities.

Council discussed charging a minimum bill for each property.

Council will revisit the minimum charge issue later in 2009.

A Resolution was presented by Olson, seconded by Gulbranson, to adopt the Fee Schedule for 2009, and the Building Permit fees for 1994. When put to a vote, the Resolution passed unanimously.

Pederson received the plans for a duplex that Stan Kirckof is interested in building at Oak Street West & 8th Avenue West lot.

Council received the Police Officers contract for 2009 and 2010.

Motion by Olson, seconded by Emerson, to approve the Police Union contract for 2009 & 2010. All Ayes. Abstain: Gulbranson

Council received the Supervisor and Professional contracts for 2009 and 2010.

Council received the meeting minutes from the October 13, 2009 and November 20, 2009 meetings to compare to the contract. Clerk Jacobson has looked over the contracts and appears correct.

Mayor Emerson brought up the on-call issue and it does not state the Police on-call time will be split between officers.

Anderson stated that the Council approved it and if there are any problems with it, the Council will address the issue.

Motion by Gulbranson, seconded by Olson, to approve the Supervisor and Professional contracts for 2009 and 2010. All Ayes.

Council received a letter regarding the potential Stimulus Package that may be enacted in 2009.

The City has put the water plant and a street project for the east side of town on the list to see if we would receive funding.

Council received information from Equaris Corporation regarding building Water and Sewer Treatment Plants that are environmentally friendly and energy saving.

Council also received the safety assessment that the League of MN Cities had done in November for the City.

In October, there was a Council vacancy with the resignation of Jim Tholen.

The two individuals that have shown interest in the position are:

Randy Anderson

Ralph Laven

Council received a petition from Ralph Laven.

A silent vote of the Council was taken, and Randy Anderson received the most votes.

A Resolution was presented by Olson, seconded by Pederson, to approve to appoint Randy Anderson to the Council. When put to a vote, the Resolution passed unanimously.

Mayor Emerson swore in Anderson.

Council received a list of Mayor Appointments for 2009.

Motion by Gulbranson, seconded by Anderson, to approve the Mayor Appointments for 2009. All Ayes. Abstain: Pederson

Shawn Hennings approached the Council regarding an Ice Fishing Contest. The group was sponsored by Long Prairie. When the group called Osakis, they were told that it was not worth coming to Osakis. They had 45 teams and support personnel last weekend. They want to book the dates for 2010 by February 1, 2009. The cost to host the event is $8,500.00. The economic impact, if it is held with 150 teams and 45 support personnel, will be around $150,000.00. Hennings will contact the fishing organizations to see if they can meet on January 14, 2009. Lil Ortendahl and Phil Reed will work on getting a group together of local people to discuss this on January 7, 2009, at 5:00 p.m.

Motion by Pederson, seconded by Olson, to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. All Ayes.

_______________________ ____________________________

Mayor – Keith Emerson City Clerk – Angela A. Jacobson