Ostrander City Council March 6 meeting

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Mon, Apr 23rd, 2012
Posted in Ostrander All

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The monthly meeting of the Ostrander City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Pro-tem Vernon Thompson. Council member Frances King was absent.

Motion by Kunert, and seconded by Start and unanimously carried to accept the consent agenda.

Visitors: Jason Boynton & Ben Turnquist (2011 Financial Statements), Harlan Mensink, Larry Christenson, & Corey Merkel (Legion), Margaret Wierson (Lions), Steve Koebke (Bloomfield), Lois Hanson, Pam Kunz, Carol Hodson

Department Heads:

Public Works Director—Jimmie Dean—Was present. Council approved monthly report.

F ire Chief—Jimmie Dean—Was present. Council approved monthly report.

Police Chief—Tom Mosher—Was present. Council approved monthly report.

Old business

Pay Equity—a work session was scheduled for February 21st to discuss where to go from here. Tom and Rhonda have gotten information together to go over at the work session tonight.

Pay Raises—have been tabled until a pay scale has been set up (Jimmie’s medical insurance rates have increased $84.50/month since June 2011).

Squad Car—Work session scheduled for February 21st discussed the 2 bids Tom received (Chevy & Dodge). Council agrees to let Tom decide since he will be the one driving it and there is only a $300 difference. Motion by Start and seconded by Kunert to purchase the Charger. Motion by Thompson and seconded by Kunert to get equipment and decals that are needed for his new car. Tom mentioned about doing sealed bids for the current squad car and he would be willing to take out the equipment and remove the decals and have it in his yard with information in the window, since there is so much traffic going by.

Sign retroreflectivity—Rhonda spoke to someone at the League and he said to hold off for now. Tabled

Donated Lund property—papers have been signed—Kelly is wondering the intended use because she needs to submit it to the Recorder’s office. I told her a park or sitting area for residents/visitors.

Bloomfield Town Hall water/sewer annual billing—Steve Koebke was present to discuss this billing. Rhonda received information from other cities that they do usually still charge even if homes or buildings are vacant. Or there needs to be a certified letter from a plumber that it is not usable. Steve commented that Bloomfield council has decided to go ahead and pay the amount due, because it is a public facility. Ostrander City Council says thank you.

New Business

2011 Financial Statement review with Smith, Schafer & Associates, LTD (Jason Boynton & Ben Turnquist)

Legion 30 year lease will expire in April (Harlan Mensink, Larry Christenson, & Corey Merkel). Motion by Thompson and seconded by Start to draw up a lease agreement for use of the Community Center

Lions (2 yr) gambling permit needs to be renewed for the Wolf’s Den (Margaret Wierson). Motion by Thompson and seconded by Start to renew their gambling permit for 2 years (resolution 2012-33)

Fountain Fire Department gambling permit for Susie’s Roadhouse amendment so gambling permits can be renewed at the same time. Motion by Kunert and seconded by Start to adopt the amendment so the permits can be renewed at the same time (resolution 2011-34)

Fountain Fire Department (2 yr) gambling permit needs to be renewed for Susie’s Roadhouse. Motion by Kunert and seconded by Thompson to renew their gambling permit for 2 years (2012-34)

Pop Machine for the new City office—Council agrees that this would be good. There would then be a pop machine at both ends of town, because Pepsi has commented having a hard time keeping the one we have full.

Rhonda received a draft of the Lease for 306 Main Street, after packets were done, so copies were made for council to review. A couple questions were raised because this says it expires in 1 year. When we spoke with Matt previously it was discussed of a 5 year term. Questions on repair cost—if we replace something and were not going to be there for a long period of time, could some cost be returned to us??

Rhonda was wondering if the city would be interested in a Red Box Video Rental Machine—some don’t think it would be worth it, but will maybe look into it at a later date.

Purchase of debris loader from McDonald’s for $900—Council is wondering how old it is. Will discuss further at the next council meeting.

Fire Department Application approval for Amanda Miner—Motion by Start and seconded by Thompson to approve Amanda Miner’s application for the Ostrander Volunteer Fire Department.

Rhonda has made some changes to the Fire Department Application—Motion by Kunert and seconded by Thompson to approve the changes made to the application for the Ostrander Volunteer Fire Department.

Royal Dempewolf from the Wolf’s Den was wondering about doing a mach opening—Tom (Police Chief) will look further into this.

City Wide Clean-up—Check if Waste Management is available for June 2nd.

Other:

Jimmie will be gone from September 9-14 and return on the 15th.

Check received from Southern Cablevision for our franchise fee in the amount of $67.28.

Notice has been posted that on Monday, April 23, 2012 through Thursday April 26, 2012 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. has been fixed as the dates and times for the meeting of the Board of Appeal and Equalization in Ostrander for 2012 assessment year. This meeting shall be held in the Fillmore County Assessor’s Office.

Ordinance for external solid fuel fired heating devices ordinance (review to approve for next month)—Council would like a letter sent to Mike Rohrer & Michelle Miller to see about extending their stack because of smoke.

Review of contract with WM which expires in April and will automatically renew for another five years.

Pam Kunz is interested in starting a City Wide Rummage Sale. Rhonda will work with Pam to get something in the water/sewer bills.

Motion by Kunert, seconded by Start and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Next meeting is scheduled for April 3, at 6 p.m.

Rhonda Klapperich Linda Schwenn

City Clerk/Treasurer Mayor

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