Franklin Ambulance
Association
February 2, 2009
The
annual meeting of the Franklin Ambulance Association was held on Monday, February
2, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. at the Franklin Fire Hall. Directors present were: Ambulance Chief
Hoffmann-Distad; City Council –Hoffman and Munsell; and rural representatives Nosbush and Distad.
At 7:30
p.m., Nosbush called the meeting to order. Pederson read the minutes of the February 4,
2008 meeting which were approved.
Pederson presented the treasurer’s report, noting the cash on hand as of
December 31, 2008, is $81,306.23. The
treasurer’s report was read and approved.
Pederson also noted the city’s ambulance fund has $55,475.81 as of
December 31, 2008. There were 73 runs in
2008.
Discussion
on board members and terms took place. Distad accepted his appointment for a successive term on
the board of directors contingent upon minutes and an agenda being prepared
before the meeting.
New
business included total funds available for replacing the 1998 ambulance are
$136,782.04. Harmoning reported that a
new 2009 ambulance is estimated to cost $129,500 without 4-wheel drive and
about $140,000 with 4-wheel drive. The
estimated trade-in allowance for the 1998 ambulance (which currently has 22,000
miles on it) is about $13,000. It would
take approximately 5 months to get one.
It was unanimous to get a 4-wheel drive vehicle. A motion and second to solicit bids provided
they stay within the money available was approved. The ambulance committee (Harmoning, Weber,
Wiese, Scharfencamp, Hoffmann-Distad, Nosbush, Distad, Hoffman, and
Munsell) will put together the specifications and solicit bids.
At 7:55
p.m. the meeting was adjourned.
Minutes by Wendy Pederson, City
Clerk/Treasurer
Franklin Ambulance Association
Treasurer
Franklin Rural
Fire Association
February 2, 2009
The
annual meeting of the Franklin Rural Fire Association was held on Monday,
February 2, 2009 at the Franklin City Hall following the Ambulance Association
Meeting. Franklin City Council Members
present were: Degner, Hoffman, Munsell,
and Wiese. City staff
present were: Pederson and 11 firefighters.
Bandon
Township Chairman Tom Gruendemann called the meeting
to order at 8:00 p.m. Roll call was
taken and the agenda was approved.
Trotter
read the minutes of the February 4, 2008 meeting which were approved. Trotter presented the treasurer’s report. Discussion of delinquent bills, insurance
rates and deductibles took place; delinquent bills should be sent monthly
notices. It was motioned and approved
that Trotter use Lindy’s collection agency if necessary for past due bills.
Pederson
presented the city’s fire fund report for 2008, the rural share of the costs
are $19,113.83. It was approved to pay
the city the $19,113.83.
Pat
Sullivan gave the fire chief’s report.
In 2008 there were 15 fire calls; 3 retired firefighters, 2 new hires
and 1 position to be filled. There are
10 members taking the Firefighter I course via a FEMA grant; the city rescinded
mandating Firefighter I training and future training is to be done in-house. The new tanker is here and is working very
well. The department applied for two
FEMA grants, the one for the grass rig was denied; the other one for an air
compressor and back-up generator is pending approval. The overhead fill is completed and working so
far. The grass rig is a 1975 truck with
a newer slide-in unit, Sullivan requested the chassis
be replaced. The department has approved
using $25,000 of pull-tab money for a chassis.
Fairfax purchased a used chassis for $20,000. The rural association approved contributing
up to $3,000 for a used chassis and approved adding the $3,000 to the 2009
expenses owed to the city if it is needed.
Currently,
car accidents are not billed. It was
approved to bill car accidents the same as a fire assist.
Assessments
were discussed. It was moved and
seconded to raise the per section assessment to
$175. It was noted that raising the
assessment to $200 per section would bring in nearly $15,000 which should
better cover expenses. The motion and
second to raise assessments to $175 was rescinded. It was motioned and approved
to raise the assessments to $200 per section.
The
next annual meeting will be held on February 1, 2010, at 7:45 with Birch Cooley
chairing.
The
meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted by
Wendy
Pederson, City Clerk/Treasurer
MINUTES
OF THE
REGULAR
FRANKLIN
Monday,
February 9, 2009
A Regular Meeting of the Franklin City Council
was held on Monday, February 9, 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 and Pederson. Guests present were: Mark Erickson and Bob Fox.
At
Mayor Degner requested approval of the agenda. Hoffman motioned to approve the agenda, second by Schacher, RCV-4 Yes, 0
No.
Mayor
Degner called for approval of the minutes of the January 12, 2009 Regular
Meeting and the February 2, 2009 Ambulance Association and Rural Fire
Association Meetings. Schacher motioned
to approve the minutes as presented, second by Wiese, RCV-4Yes, 0 No.
No citizens were
present.
Mark Erickson gave a
presentation regarding the Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority. Erickson reported that the rail line is
currently running at 10 mph and hopes to increase the speed to 25 mph; this
would require 110# rail to be installed.
Usage of the rail continues to increase each year, and it is projected
that 7,500-7,600 cars will travel the rail in 2009. Erickson asked for continued support of the
rail line. Fox added that MVRRA was
removed from the economic stimulus package so funding for the proposed upgrade
is questionable.
The financial status of
the city was reviewed and current bills were presented for payment in the
amount of $30,090.98; January receipts totaled $43,693.62. Hoffman
motioned for approval of the bills and financial report as presented, second by
Schacher, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Department Heads were addressed. Kokesch reported that it has been a tough
winter and there have been numerous issues with the systems and controls. Chief Degner received approval to attend
police training in Rochester; reported that Adam Crain is working full-time in
Red Wing and Larry Hanson will be working part-time on the weekends. Pederson reported that there is $30,000
available from Renv. Co. HRA/EDA for Economic
Leveraging Funds in 2009; the governor’s proposed LGA cuts; received approval
to transfer $11,230.55 to the ambulance reserved funds; future agenda’s will
contain “Councilor Requests” in place of “Other Business”; pet licenses are
trickling in; received approval to prepay the expense for a grass rig. Commissioner Fox noted that Sara Folsted has
been hired as the new county administrator; the county recycling numbers are up
and they are thankful that people are recycling and noted the current landfill
issues with closings occurring when the wind speed exceeds 25 mph.
No new zoning permits
were issued.
Pederson has been in
contact with Bob Vose of Kennedy and Graven regarding the cable franchise
renewal with Mediacom. Vose is reviewing
Mediacom’s franchise proposal vs. the current franchise agreement. The League of MN Cities contract review is
only for loss control issues.
Munsell
motioned to approve the 2009 MN River Valley Scenic Byway Supporting Membership
Fee of $100, second by Schacher, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Munsell
motioned to approve Michael Sather to the Fire Department, second by Hoffman,
RCV 5 Yes, 0 No.
Andy Kehren, Bolton and Menk, put together a proposed utility upgrade plan for the
city in an effort to be prepared for economic stimulus funding. Kevin Friesen of USDA Rural Development met
with Kehren, Mayor Degner, Kokesch and Pederson regarding potential funding via
USDA. Friesen noted that the city could
possibly refinance their current debt and would potentially qualify for sewer
grant money. The city has submitted an
Application for Federal Assistance.
In other business, Mayor
Degner questioned the specifications for the new ambulance and noted concern of
whether the rig will fit in the stall at the Fire Hall. Wiese noted they have a
bid sheet prepared and that the rig will be two feet longer than the current
ambulance-it will be tight but will fit in the stall.
At 7:48 p.m.,
Mayor Degner called for adjournment, with Hoffman motioning for adjournment,
second by Wiese, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Respectfully Submitted by Wendy
Pederson, City Clerk/Treasurer