MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR
FRANKLIN
Monday,
August 10, 2009
A Regular Meeting of the Franklin City Council
was held on Monday, August 13, 2009, at 7:00 p.m., at City Hall. Council present were: Degner, Hoffman, Munsell, Schacher and
Wiese. Staff Department Heads present
were: Degner, Kokesch, Pederson, and
Hoffmann-Distad. Guests present
were: Scott Nissen, Brian Pederson, and
Mike Duck.
At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Degner called the meeting to
order and noted roll call showing all council present.
Mayor Degner requested approval of the agenda;
Pederson presented two requested additions to the agenda, Lion’s Club trailer
as surplus property and the Development Corporation to present. Munsell
motioned to approve the amended agenda, second by Wiese, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Mayor
Degner called for approval of the minutes of the July 13, 2009, Regular Meeting.
Hoffman motioned to approve the minutes as presented, second by Munsell,
RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
No citizens requested to
be addressed.
Nissen, representing the
Franklin Lions, requested the Lions trailer (former float) that the city holds
title to be listed as surplus property.
The Lions plan to strip it down before selling it. Following discussion of sale options, the
trailer will be sold at a future Franklin Auction Company auction. Munsell
motioned to approve listing the trailer as surplus property, second by Wiese,
RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
B. Pederson,
representing the Development Corp. requested the council’s approval to install
a new “City Hall” sign, at the Dev. Corp.’s expense. The Dev. Corp. will contact Wood Treasures
and Rivertop Graphics and were given the approval to
go ahead with the sign replacement.
Two parcels within the
city may be up for forfeiture to the State of Minnesota. Andy Kehren recommended the city obtain
Parcel 32-00420-00 as a back-up well site.
The other parcel, 32-00316-00, still has underground tanks that the
owner needs to remediate. The actual
cost to purchase 32-00420-00 is not known, although it could be obtained for
free it if qualifies for a “public use deed”.
Consideration to the cost of demolition must also be made. Schacher
motioned to try to acquire the Betty J. Robben parcel
as a back-up well site, second by Munsell, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Bids of $700 to paint the City Shop and $400 to
stain the City Hall were received from Jeff Bethke. Pederson noted that the City Hall wood may
not have been stained since installation, so the cost may be slightly more if
more stain is needed. Hoffman motioned to accept Bethke’s bids, second by Munsell, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
The real estate listing agreement with Eugene Longstrom for the Senior/Community Center has expired. There have been no recent inquiries. Munsell will discuss the property with Kathy
Larsen and Pederson is directed to contact Kerkhoff
Real Estate and list the building with them, listing Kathy Larsen as an
exception.
The financial status of the city was reviewed and
current bills were presented for payment (with two additional items #47 and
#48) in the amount of $38, 334.35; July receipts totaled $117,399.44. Munsell
motioned for approval of the bills and financial report as presented, second by
Wiese, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Department Heads were addressed. Kokesch received approval to order a new
conveyor belt for the sweeper at an approximate cost of $650.00; presented a
citizen concern regarding the flags at the ballpark and the affect they will
have on the fascia which brought about discussion of the specificity of the
monument, the public will be invited to the next meeting to address concerns
and future plans for the park. Kokesch
noted that there were very few people assisting with clean up on Monday
following Catfish Days, reported that one bench had been burned, and the
consensus is that a bathroom cleaner must be at least 16 years old. Hoffmann-Distad presented a sample physical
for the fire and ambulance personnel, noting that that she comprised this from
a variety of sources. A cardio vascular
stress test would cost $30 from the Redwood Community Center and she would be
able to provide the remainder of the examination. Schacher
motioned to recommend the cardiovascular testing for the departments and for
Hoffmann-Distad to do the remainder of the physicals; second by Wiese. Discussion included whether or not to
implement a deadline; Schacher amended his motion to add that this will be
completed within six months; second by Wiese, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No. Pederson reported Davis Typewriter is
cancelling the maintenance contract on the Sharp Copier due to its age; the
council felt the city attorney should review the Xcel Energy draft franchise
agreement; discussed some issues with utility account/payment plans, the
council will require that payment plans receive council approval or the water
will be disconnected; Mediacom sent a
rate increase notice; the city achieved Pay Equity Compliance; discussed the
property tax changes to the recently annexed land that was to be sold to Prairie
Agra Fuels, Pederson will send a letter to them regarding the TIF status, and
will research decertification.
Zoning
permits were issued to Kevin Kokesch to install a 18’
x 16’ composite deck at 471 Fifth Street and to James/Robert Stubbs to install
a 4’ x 350’ chain link fence at 420 and 430 Third St.
Pederson
presented a proposed 2010 budget with a proposed levy increase of 5.003%. The council reviewed the proposed budget
line-by-line with Pederson noting the inclusion of the MVHC in the budget, a
decrease of interest income due to low interest rates, an increase in legal
fees due to higher criminal legal costs,
3% COLA, and the remaining dollars applied to seal coating. Munsell
motioned to raise the full-time employee salaries 3%, second by Wiese, RCV-5
Yes, 0 No. Part-time
salary adjustments included: ambulance
run rate hourly to $11.00, and part-time police salary to $14.50. Hoffman
motioned to approve the proposed part-time salary adjustments as presented,
second by Munsell, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No. Pederson proposed increasing the water
base rate by $.25 per month. Munsell motioned to raise the water base
rate to $15.25 per month, second by Wiese, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No. The current fee schedule was reviewed
noting a typo in the water maintenance rates.
Councilor requests were addressed. Mayor Degner questioned the Lions commitment
to the tennis courts, which the council will not bind them to; Pederson gave
Degner a Lions expense report. Duck
noted that there are plans in progress for further improvements at the Veterans
Memorial Park; the public will be asked to voice their opinions and
recommendations to the park.
At 9:45 p.m.,
Mayor Degner called for adjournment, with Wiese motioning for adjournment,
second by Munsell, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Respectfully Submitted by
Wendy Pederson, City Clerk/Treasurer