MINUTES OF THE
TRUTH IN TAXATION PUBLIC HEARING AND
REGULAR FRANKLIN
Monday,
December 12, 2011
A Truth in Taxation Public Hearing and Regular
Meeting of the Franklin City Council were held on Monday, December 12, 2011, at
7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Council members
present were: Degner, Hoffman, and
Lyon. Arriving late were Schacher and
Wiese. Staff Department Heads present were:
Degner, Kokesch, and Pederson. Guest present was: Wayne Miller.
At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Degner called the public
hearing to order. Mayor Degner presented
the proposed 2012 Budget and Levy.
Miller was addressed and reported that his property taxes on his shop
jumped 82%. The council explained to
Miller that the increase was due to the state tax shift and removal of the
homestead credit, being the city’s levy increased just 6.983%, the bulk of the
increase had to be due to the new tax formula. It was recommended that people
contact their state legislators regarding the tax changes and to check with the
county regarding the actual tax calculation.
The council felt there were no budget or levy changes needed. As there were no other citizens, Mayor Degner
closed the public hearing at 7:11 p.m.
Mayor Degner called the regular meeting to order
with roll call showing Schacher and Wiese absent/late.
Mayor Degner called for approval of the
agenda. Pederson recommended amending
the agenda to include the Resolution 2011-12, Approval of Advance Agreement
with Minnesota Rural Water. Hoffman motioned to approve the amended
agenda and include Resolution 2011-12 with the Utility Improvements portion of
the agenda, second by Lyon, RCV-3 Yes, 0 No.
Mayor
Degner called for approval of the minutes of the November 14, 2011 Regular Meeting.
Hoffman motioned to approve the minutes as presented, second by Lyon,
RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
No citizens were present.
Water samples from the
Well #5 project tested lower for nitrates and arsenic and a little higher for
iron. The B.O.C. results are not in
yet. Bolton and Menk
recommended the council approve the certificate of substantial completion for
Ervin Well Co. Lyon motioned to approve the Certificate of Substantial Completion for
Ervin Well Co., second by Hoffman, RCV-3 Yes, 0 No.
Kokesch met with Bolton
and Menk and the final construction plans for the
utility improvements should be completed soon.
Rural Development approved payment of the project engineering invoices
causing the need for interim financing.
Pederson will pay a portion of the invoices with city money, fulfilling
the city’s obligation to the project expenses.
Hoffman motioned to approve
Resolution 2011-12, Advance Agreement with Minnesota Rural Water, second by
Lyon, RCV-3 Yes, 0 No.
A summons was sent on December 2, 2011, to
Renville County District Court and to Navigators Insurance Company regarding
the Gaub warranty issues.
The financial status of
the city was reviewed. November receipts
totaled $9,868.06; current bills were presented for payment in the amount of
$117,631.39. Lyon motioned for approval of the bills and financial report as
presented, second by Hoffman, RCV-3 Yes, 0 No.
Department Heads were addressed. Kokesch reported that there are about 120
various varieties of trees at the boatlanding and 53
have been marked for removal; Myron Gehrke has expressed interest in cutting
down the trees and would remove the stumps as well. It was recommended that Gehrke to sign a hold
harmless waiver. Lyon motioned for Kokesch to negotiate with Gehrke on a removal cost,
second by Hoffman, RCV-3 Yes, 0 No. Kokesch
is having great difficulty in locating bulk wood pellets, noting that since
corn prices are high more wood pellets are being burned and demand is
higher. Last year the ag pellets cost $190/ton and are
not available at this time; wood pellets were $212/ton and are now
$275/ton. Dan Reek stated that even at
the $275/ton it is more cost effective than Lp or electric heat.
Hoffman motioned to purchase 12
tons of wood pellets, second by Lyon, RCV-3 Yes, 0 No. Kokesch reported that he has inventoried the
street lights and was able to identify most of the lights and locations the
city pays for. Pederson presented
Christmas and New Year ads to the council, and due to budget constraints, the
council chose to decline paying for ads.
There were no new zoning
permits.
Pederson presented the
2011 Fire/Ambulance Wage report. Lyon motioned to approve the 2011
Fire/Ambulance Wages, second by Hoffman, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Schacher
motioned to approve the Amendments to Ordinance 03-2003, fee changes for 2012,
second by Hoffman, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Lyon
motioned to approve the 2011 Audit Engagement of Uhlenkamp and Associates,
second by Schacher, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
The 2012 Budget includes: General Fund income $159,160, expenses
$407,642, transfers in $70,300; Water Fund income $83,550, expenses $51,350,
transfers out $38,100; Sewer Fund income $96,500, expenses $58,400, transfers
out $38,100; Debt expenses $119,109; Government Aid $132,996; net 2012 levy
$164,295, an increase of 6.983% over 2011.
Hoffman motioned to approve the
2012 Budget and Budget Summary as
written, second by Wiese, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Wiese
motioned to approve Resolution 2011-11, 2012 Property Tax Levy, second by
Schacher, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Wiese
motioned to not waive monetary limits on municipal tort liability with LMCIT,
second by Schacher, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Schacher
motioned to approve Katie Joehnck, who is currently
an EMT, to the ambulance department, second by Wiese, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Pederson presented the GASB-54 Fund Balance Policy
that was reviewed and found acceptable by Mike Uhlenkamp. Lyon
motioned to approve the GASB-54 Fund Balance Policy, second by Schacher, RCV-5
yes, 0 No.
Mediacom has indicated that they wish to renew
the franchise agreement with the city.
Pederson questioned whether the council wished to turn this over to the
attorney or to suggest the terms of the current agreement be renewed. The council consensus is to renew with the
same agreement.
A draft 2012 Annual
Appointment list was presented, there were no changes requested. It will be formally approved in January.
There were no councilor
requests.
At 8:06 p.m., Mayor
Degner called for adjournment, with Hoffman motioning for adjournment, second
by Wiese, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No. The next
regular city council meeting will be held Monday, January 9, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.
at City Hall.
Respectfully
Submitted by
Wendy Pederson, City Clerk/Treasurer