HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.03.96 Council Minutes
COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR
SEPTEMBER 3, 1996
1. Mayor Kuchera convened the meeting at 7:00 P.M..
Members Present: Kuchera, Fitch, Ristow, Gamer, Galler.
Members Absent: None.
Also Present: City Administrator Erar, Attorney Grannis.
2. Mayor Kuchera led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. MOTION by Galler, second by Gamer to approve the agenda with the following
changes:
a) Remove item 5l - Donation to Senior Center - from Consent for recognition.
b) Remove item 5q - Approve Payment of Bills - from Consent for abstention.
c) Item 9a - Preliminary Budget Levy - Add memo from City Administrator for
discussion.
d) Acknowledge County Commissioner Joe Harris' attendance.
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
4. Citizen Comments
Ken Chinn - Asked questions regarding assessments for County Road 31
reconstruction. Mr. Chinn was informed that the Council had held a
workshop to discuss financing the project. No public hearing date had been
established and affected property owners would be notified when it had been.
Commissioner Joe Harris - Reviewed various City/County issues including, road
improvement projects, County juvenile detention center
groundbreaking, library funding, residential tax rates. Council and audience
members asked Mr. Harris questions and provided comments on issues. Mr. Harris
invited Council, staff and residents to contact him regarding issues. Council
thanked Mr. Harris for coming.
5. MOTION by Ristow, second by Gamer to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
a) Approve minutes of the August 19, 1996 regular Council meeting
b) Approve Conference Request - State Fire Chiefs Conference - Mike Palm and Ken
Kuchera
c) Approve School Request - Firefighter One Course - Various Department Members
d) Approve School Request - Firearms Instructor Training - Police Department
e) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R90-96 amending Resolution R84-96 authorizing use of
Industrial Revenue Bonds for precision Engineering, Inc. expansion project
f) Acknowledge Resignation of Finance Director
g) Approve payment for Project 93-14 Phase II to Enebak Construction for
$112,575.00
h) Approve various agreements in conjunction with Fall Clean Up Day
i) Approve extending completion date - Project 93-14 Phase II to November 1, 1996
j) Approve payment for Project 95-2 - Spruce Street Access - to Ryan Contracting
for $22,137.96
k) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R91-96 accepting donation of street light poles from
anonymous donor
l) Approve purchase of cellular phones for Parks and Recreation Department
m) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R92-96 approving gambling premise permit exemption for
Church of the Advent
n) Approve amendment to the Development Contract for Nelsen Hills Farm 5th
Addition grading plan
0) Adopt RESOLUTION NO. R93-96 approving change of election judge for Primary
Election
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
6. Donation to Senior Center
Councilmember Ristow pulled this item from Consent to acknowledge Park Supply,
Inc. for their generous donation of $250.00. It was noted that staff would send
a letter of thanks to Park Supply. MOTION by Ristow, second by Gamer to adopt
RESOLUTION NO. R94-96 accepting the donation of $250.00 from Park Supply, Inc. to
the Farmington Area Senior Center. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
7. MOTION by Galler, second by Fitch to approve payment of the bills as
submitted. VOTING FOR: Kuchera, Galler, Fitch, Gamer. ABSTAIN: Ristow.
MOTION CARRIED.
8. Southeast Area Resident Survey
Councilmember Gamer asked whether the Council had any revisions to the questions
on the survey. Councilmembers shared their concerns regarding whether the
questions would give the impression that the prairie Waterway project had been
designed to alleviate groundwater problems in homes, which was not the project's
purpose. After discussion, it was the consensus that the questionnaire would be
sent to Council once again for their input and that information would be
forwarded with agenda packets for September 16th.
9. Parental Responsibility Ordinance
Councilmember Galler explained his position on the importance of adopting a
parental responsibility ordinance and the need to hold a public hearing prior to
any official action, and requested Council feedback. Councilmember Ristow asked
Police Chief Siebenaler questions regarding the extent of juvenile crime within
the City. Chief Siebenaler responded that the number of juveniles to whom this
ordinance would apply was very small. A lengthy discussion followed regarding
the need for the ordinance, probable legal challenges, and basic philosophy of
parental and juvenile responsibility for actions. It was the consensus of
Council that a joint meeting should be set with School District representatives
and that both entities should hold a public hearing on the issue. Councilmember
Galler will contact the School District to set a meeting date.
The Council took a 10 minute recess prior to beginning discussion of the
Preliminary 1997 Tax Levy
10. Preliminary 1997 Tax Levy
City Administrator Erar noted that Council needed to set the Truth in Taxation
public hearing dates. The proposed date was Wednesday, December 4th or Thursday
December 5th, with December 16th as a continuation date if needed. MOTION by
Galler, second by Gamer to set Wednesday, December 4, 1996 at 7:00 P.M. as the
City's Truth in Taxation public hearing date, with a hearing continuation date of
December 16th. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. The second issue associated with this item
was a Fire Department request for Council consideration of an amendment to the
proposed 1997 budget. Fire Chief Kuchera presented his Department's request
purchase a raft, motor and trailer for rescue operations on City waterways.
Discussion revolved around the process used in establishing the 1997 budget, the
ramifications on both the fiscal and policy aspects of the budget and process,
and whether the request was of imminent need for the City at this time. After a
great deal of deliberation, a MOTION by Galler, second by Kuchera to approve
Option 2 amending the 1997 Budget by including the purchase of a raft, motor and
trailer. VOTING FOR: Kuchera, Galler, Ristow. OPPOSED: Fitch, Gamer. MOTION
CARRIED.
11. Roundtable
Member Fitch - Requested a workshop be set to discuss Council participation in
City operations.
12. Council agreed to adjourn the regular session at 9:35 P.M. in order to enter
into Executive Session.
13. Executive Session
Submitted by,
Mary Hanson
Clerk Typist