HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.20.98 Council Minutes
COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR
January 20, 1998
1. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ristow at 7:00 PM.
Members Present: Ristow, Cordes, Fitch, Gamer, Strachan.
Members Absent: None.
Also Present: City Administrator Erar, Attorney Grannis.
2. Mayor Ristow led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. MOTION by Gamer, second by Fitch to approve the agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
4. Citizen Comments -None.
5. Consent Agenda
MOTION by Gamer, second by Fitch to approve the Consent Agenda following except for item 7 A:
a) Acknowledged Retirement of Police Officer Warren "Bud" Steigauf effective Dec. 31, 1997
b) Acknowledged Retirement of Street and Utility Supervisor, Jerry Bauer effective Jan. 5, 1998
c) Recommended Appointment of Brian Lindquist as Police Officer effective Jan. 26,1998
d) Recommended Appointment of Lori Folie, Executive Assistant, effective Jan. 21, 1998
e) Adopted RESOLUTION R2-98 Accepting a Donation of $100 to Senior Center Meals on Wheels
f) Adopted RESOLUTION R3-98 Accepting a $5,000 Grant from Dakota Electric for Updating the
Comprehensive Plan
g) Adopted RESOLUTION R4-98 Approving Application for Park Grant to Landscape Gateway Signs
h) Approved a Capital Outlay Request from Fire Department for Opticom Emitters and Switches
i) Approved Payment of Bills
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to approve the Council Minutes (Regular) of January 5, 1998. Voting For: Ristow,
Strachan, Gamer, Fitch. Voting Against: None. Abstain: Cordes. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION by Fitch, second by Cordes to approve the Council Minutes of January 10, 1998 (Special) and January 14, 1998
(Workshop). Voting For: Ristow, Strachan, Gamer, Fitch. Voting Against: None. Abstain: Cordes. MOTION
CARRIED.
6. Public Hearing -Clarifying Legal Description of Main Street - Eagles Project
Mayor Ristow opened the Public Hearing on the Main Street Vacation correction. Dave Olson, Community Development
Director, explained the reason for the hearing was to clarify the description of the area (Main Street and the alley) that had
been previously vacated so as to make it acceptable to the Eagles Club's Title Insurance Company. The new legal
description has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney. The City is retaining a utility easement over the street
and alley right-of-way being vacated. MOTION by Gamer, second by Cordes to close the public hearing. APIF,
MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Gamer, second by Strachan to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 5-98 approving the new
legal description for the Eagles Club Main Street and Alley Vacation. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
7. Petitions, Requests & Communications - Citizen Request to Ban Snowmobiles in the City
,
Resident Robert Cumming of 712 Walnut Street requested that this item be placed on the agenda for the purposes of
discussing/proposing a total ban on smowmobiles in the City of Farmington. Mr. Cumming was invited to take the floor.
He explained that some snowmobile operators have trespassed on his private property, incurring property damage as well,
and supports a total ban on the operation of snowmobiles in the City or older part of town. Members of the Sno Tigers
Snowmobile Club were present to explain the efforts they have made to promote law abiding use of these vehicles such as
training youth, posting restrictive signs, publishing maps, grooming more trails and enhancing communication with the
City and operators. Police Chief Dan Siebenaler explained the City's neutral position, Police Department's educational
publications to operators and property owners, as well as their enforcement efforts. It was recognized that most
snowmobilers are law abiding; it is the I % who cause problems. Until a total ban becomes ordinance, snowmobilers have
1/20/98 Minutes Continued
Page 2
legal rights to use the public rights-of-way and easements. Chief Siebenaler urged people to register complaints rather than
obstruct passageways, which could cause vehicle damage and personal injury. A copy of a letter from Marv Wier, 808 3rd
Street, was distributed and mentioned for the record. After the topic was fully debated and all present had their say, it was
the consensus of the Council to leave the present ordinance as it is, resolving to make an even greater commitment to
communicate, educate and work together.
8. Petitions, Requests and Communications - Citizen Request to Reduce 1997 Delinquent Municipal Services
Mayor Ristow gave the background for the request from Tom Ryan, property owner of 513 2nd Street, whose delinquent
municipal services bill was certified to taxes in November, 1997. The City's policy was reiterated, and it would conflict
with City policy to oblige this request, unless the owner pleaded a hardship situation. MOTION by Gamer, second by
Fitch to deny the request for a reduction of the amount certified to 1998 taxes for the property at 513 2nd Street. APIF,
MOTION CARRIED.
9. Petitions, Requests and Communications - Train Whistle Meeting
Mayor Ristow gave an overview of the recent meeting with Congressman Bill Luther's Office, other public officials and
Union Pacific Railroad Representatives to curtail the excessive train whistle blowing through town. A plan of action was
outlined and participants agreed to meet again if these actions don't result in less train whistle noise. Administrator Erar
will respond to this meeting by recognizing the efforts of all who attended the meeting on January 7, 1998.
10. Unfinished Business - Council Meeting Participation Protocol
At the January 5, 1998 meeting, the Council By-laws were amended to provide for a policy for citizen participation at
Council meetings and public hearings. The draft copy of this policy was discussed and a means to communicate this with
the public was suggested. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to adopt Council Policy 101-06-1997, tObattach a policy to
Council agendas and to publish on the City's website. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
11. Unfinished Business - Appointments to Boards and Commissions
Councilmember Fitch thanked Karen Finstuen, Administrative Services Coordinator, for her assistance at the Special
Council Meeting, January 10, 1998 and the coordination of interview appointments. MOTION by Cordes, second by
Gamer to appoint the following citizens to these Boards and Commissions:
.s.w Applicable Term New Appointment
Heritage Preservation
I) 2/1/98-1/31/2001 Harbee Tharaldson
2) 2/1/98-1/31/2001 Bev Marben
3) 2/1/98-1/31/1999 * Cheryl Thelen
Parks & Recreation
1) 2/1/98-1/31/2000 Brian Feldt
2) 2/1/98-1/31/2000 John Richardson
3) 2/1/98-1/31/2000 Dawn Johnson
Planning Commission
1) 2/1/98-1/31/2000 Todd Larson
2) 2/1/98-1/31/2000 Ronald Ley
3) 2/1/98-1/31/2000 Rob Schwing ~
Water Board
1) 2/1/98-1/31/2001 Robert Shirley
1/20/98 Minutes Continued
Page 3
Senior Center
1)
2)
2/1/98-1/31/2001 Chris Common
2/1/98-1/31/2001 Amy Bialka
* Initial appointment is for one year. Subsequent term will be three years.
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
1) ** 2/1/98-1/31/1999
2) ** 2/1/98-1/31/2000
3) ** 2/1/98-1/31/2001
** All subsequent terms will be for 5 years.
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
Sherry Lamb
Todd Arey
Ronald Kuriscak
MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to appoint Councilmember Cordes and Mayor Ristow to serve on the Housing and
Redevelopment Authority for the remainder oftheir terms. Voting For: Gamer, Fitch, Strachan. Voting Against: None.
Abstain: Cordes, Ristow. MOTION CARRIED.
12. New Business - Designate Council Representative to Chamber Business Meetings
It is policy to appoint a Council representative and an alternate to meet with the Chamber of Commerce at 6:30 PM
previous to the second Council meeting of each month. MOTION by Strachan, second by Fitch to appoint Councilmember
Gamer as representative and Councilmember Cordes as alternate for January through June of 1998. Voting For: Ristow,
Strachan, Fitch. Voting Against: None. Abstain: Cordes, Gamer. MOTION CARRIED.
13. Roundtable
Councilmember Strachan: Congratulated Officer Warren "Bud" Steigauf on his retirement and almost 30 years of service.
Councilmember Gamer: The Fire Department's banquet on January 16th at the American Legion was very well done.
Commended the Department for its dedication.
Councilmember Cordes: Commended Public Works for their recent snow removal efforts.
Administrator John Erar: Met with Marcus Cable on future infrastructure plans. A future meeting has been set for the
discussion of the franchise agreement.
MOTION by Gamer, second by Fitch to adjourn at 8:30 PM. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
~ti~ ~~
anne Stanek
ecretary