MINUTES
OF THE
REGULAR
FRANKLIN
Monday,
June 8, 2009
A Regular Meeting of the Franklin City Council
was held on Monday, June 8, 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. Guest present was: Mike Uhlenkamp.
At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Degner called the meeting to
order and noted roll call showing Munsell arriving late.
Mayor Degner requested approval of the
agenda. Pederson asked to amend the
agenda to include the Sacred Heart Church Raffle Exemption Permit. Schacher motioned to approve the agenda with
the added agenda item, second by Wiese, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Mayor
Degner called for approval of the minutes of the May 11, 2009, Regular Meeting.
Hoffman motioned to approve the minutes as presented, second by Munsell,
RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
No citizens were
present.
Mike Uhlenkamp,
Uhlenkamp & Associates, LLC, presented the city’s 2008 Audit and Financial
Statements. Uhlenkamp explained that it was a clean opinion of the financials
and noted the deficiencies stated are due to the small size of the city and it
would impractical to hire additional staff to meet these requirements. Munsell
motioned to approve the 2008 Audit and Financial Statements as presented,
second by Wiese, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Andy Kehren reported
that there was a misunderstanding in time frames, USDA is reviewing the
Environmental Reports and a determination will not be made as soon as it was
thought. The city did receive a number
of points from the MN Dept. of Health Drinking Water Revolving Fund 2010
Project Priority List.
In the recent sales tax
audit for the period of Oct. 2005-March 31, 2009; the city was found to owe an
average error in sales and use tax and penalties amounting to $777.01. The errors were vendors not charging tax when
they should have.
The
financial status of the city was reviewed and current bills were presented for
payment in the amount of $44,831.38; May receipts totaled $13,043.06. Schacher
motioned for approval of the bills and financial report as presented, second by
Munsell, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Department Heads were addressed. Kokesch suggested contracting LP, currently
at $1.39/gallon (the city used 2250 gallons last year) the council will review
this next month; the city does not have equipment to mow some of the sod placed
at the ballpark, Kokesch is to check with Kurt Valentin
on mowing this area; Rose MacMasters will be
connecting to the city water and sewer (via a grinder pump); weed spraying in
the streets will continue; Kokesch suggested the city research some of the
energy grants available; and Munsell
motioned to approve and Hoffman seconded Kokesch’s
vacation request, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No. Commissioner
Fox reported that Collin Peterson requested funding for Co. Rd. 5 Scenic Byway
and may need a letter of support from the city.
Pederson presented a thank you from Renville County Heartland Express;
discussed the city’s bond coverage and that the Fire Relief Association is
currently covered under the LMCIT coverage and they intend to discontinue their
outside bond insurance, the city will review their additional bond coverage at
the time of renewal; Summer Rec. begins tomorrow and Swimming Lessons
transportation is scheduled with the Heartland Express; the ambulance contract
with Clarey’s has been signed; Pederson has compiled
a Vacant Property Listing and Registration Form that Chief Degner is reviewing;
there have been no developments with the Mediacom Franchise Agreement.
Zoning
permits were issued to Matt Fiero to install a
8’ x 10’ wood shed at 254 First Ave.;
and to Matt Anderson to install wood plank and chain-link fencing at 471 St.
Hwy. 19. Pederson noted that due to the
recent property line dispute and fence issue, the zoning permit application has
been amended to include expiration date information.
The
Veteran’s Memorial (ball) Park/city received a $1,000 credit from Cemstone and a $300 grant from Renville County
HRA/EDA. The Lions committed $6,000 from
the city reserves and the project expenditures are currently $7, 164.97. The
council discussed the installation of a handicap ramp, Mayor Degner will
research railings and costs and ADA requirements. A request for new counter tops at the
ballpark was discussed; Kokesch will measure and check pricing on new counter
and on laminate.
The
city attorney cited MN Statute 469 regarding the city’s involvement in U’ren building project.
The statute explains the public improvement process requirements; the
city is able to provide in-kind assistance.
It was questioned as to where the project is at and was noted that the
building cannot be buried on site.
The
ambulance department reviewed the Franklin Ambulance Identity Theft program and
had no objections to it. Munsell motioned to approve the Ambulance
Identity Theft Program, second by Hoffman, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Wiese
motioned to approve the Sacred Heart Church Application for an Exemption
Permit, second by Munsell, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Councilor requests were addressed. Munsell questioned Governor Pawlenty’s plans for unallotment
and how LGA will be affected, which is not currently known. Degner received a request for trash barrels uptown
(more than the one by the Longbranch) and received
more complaints about the public access channel not working properly.
At 8:26 p.m.,
Mayor Degner called for adjournment, with Schacher motioning for adjournment,
second by Hoffman, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Respectfully Submitted by
Wendy Pederson, City Clerk/Treasurer