MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR FRANKLIN
Monday,
June 13, 2011
A Regular Meeting of the Franklin City Council
was held on Monday, June 13, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Council members present were: Degner, Hoffman, Lyon, and Wiese. Staff Department Heads present were: Degner, Kokesch and Pederson. Guests present were: Barbara Yescavage,
Dan Woods, Marlene Woods, Emil Huwe, David Munsell,
Ryan Robinson, and Mike Duck.
At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Degner called the meeting to
order with roll call showing Schacher absent.
Mayor
Degner called for approval of the agenda.
Hoffman motioned to approve the agenda, second by Lyon, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
Mayor
Degner called for approval of the minutes of the May 9, 2011 Regular
Meeting. Wiese motioned to approve the
minutes as presented, second by Hoffman, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
Citizens were addressed. Yescavage
questioned what the city plans to do with the tax-forfeited house located at
330 First Ave. E.; the initial use was for a well site, but it is not being
used in the project; Pederson will research city costs and options for the
possible sale of the property. Huwe questioned why the city does not provide a place for
compost material: this has been
researched multiple times, noting there hasn’t been a location available, there
would be issues with dumping there, and
the city does not have the staff to man a site; Kokesch will contact Nordby’s and Machtemes’ as
possible locations. Munsell and Sheriff Hable have been discussing the city’s current address
listing and recommended the council consider making some changes due to
potential 911 response issues; Chief Degner will review this with Munsell and Hable and present the suggested corrections to the city
council for approval.
Pederson presented the
Zoning Report. Zoning permits were
issued to: Wes Lund to build a 26’x
12’/10’ x 10’ wood deck with railing at 160 Second Ave. E.; and to Rick Hempel to build a 14’ x 25’ wood deck at 245 Fourth
Street. Jody Sandmann
requested the council consider an extension of her Variance Permit that was
approved in July of 2010; Degner noted that contractors had been difficult to
obtain. Wiese motioned to approve a 4 month extension to Sandmann’s
Variance Permit, second by Lyon, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No. A public hearing was held prior to this
meeting regarding Matthew Anderson’s request for rezoning classification from
Residential (R-1) to Agricultural for parcel 32-00267-00, currently used as
tillable land, and for a Conditional Use Permit to allow for horses. There were no objections to Anderson’s
request, just favorable comments, and the Planning Commission approved both
requests, recommending city council approval.
Wiese motioned to table
Anderson’s requests and to approve it by a formal resolution at the next
meeting, second by Lyon, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
Pederson reported that
the state has approved the final reports of both EECBG grants, hoping to
receive final payment prior to potential state shut down. Dan Reek presented quotes from Foamtastic Insulation of $670 for 1.5” and $893 for 2” for
the pellet building. Wiese motioned to approve the installation
of 1.5” insulation, second by Hoffman, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
Pederson presented a
report of the June 7th meeting with Kehren, Friesen, and Kokesch,
noting the survey work, legal work, and final well plans have been submitted to
USDA. The issues on 2nd Ave.
have been presented to the county engineer and the county will partner with the
city and pay for the street restoration.
Kokesch noted the council will need to be thinking about various water
line issues and corrections as well as ADA compliance with regard to the
curb. Kehren recommended the council
approve the advertisement for bids by invitation for the well project. The Gaub warranty
issues are still in progress with the attorney.
Hoffman motioned to approve the Advertisement for Bids by Invitation
for the Well #5 Project contingent upon RD approval, second by Wiese, RCV-4
Yes, 0 No.
Duck and Robinson
presented their proposed improvements to the Veteran’s Memorial Ballpark
including the addition of 9 flags on 16’ telescoping poles with lighting along
the outfield fence (which eliminates mowing issues) and it is yet to be
determined where the power source will be.
They also plan to use low voltage lights with no exposed wires and
higher quality flags that will come down when the park is not in use. The council suggested putting the lights out
of reach.
The financial status of
the city was reviewed. May receipts
totaled $17,332.20; current bills were presented for payment in the amount of
$30,892.95. Wiese motioned for approval of the bills and financial report as
presented, second by Lyon, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
Department Heads were addressed. Kokesch received approval for a bathroom
cleaner for Catfish Days; presented the option of either rebuilding an
individual lift station at a cost of $875 or purchasing a new one for $2,200 to
serve as a back-up to the currently installed one, the council recommended the
rebuild; Kokesch has thus far been unable to find someone to haul wood chips, Sullivans will haul in agri-lime. Kokesch noted the north walk-in door lock of
the Fire Hall has been breaking and needs replacement, he also noted that the
doors are 27 years old; quick research on lock options was presented and it is
estimated it would cost about $1,000/door to replace both the door and
locks. Hoffman motioned to approve replacement of the two walk-in doors and
locks at the Fire Hall, second by Lyon, RCV-4 Yes, 0-No. Wiese will present this to the
Fire/Ambulance Departments for their input.
Kokesch noted there is a large amount of outdoor work to be done and
questioned whether volunteers could assist, Pederson will check on liability
insurance for volunteers with LMCIT, and provided it may be pro-rated, will add
this coverage as soon as possible. Chief
Degner will be taking pursuit driving training as required. Pederson reported that there have been 74 pet
licenses issued; the council declined in participating in the Council on Local
Results; the Renv. Co. HRA/EDA questionnaire was
completed and submitted; the council approved the LMCIT W.C. policy renewal to
include volunteer accident insurance coverage; noted some of the issues
involving the potential state shut down; will attend an MCFOA meeting in New
Ulm; received notification of a potential tax-forfeited property; and reported
that “Minnesota Bound” is planning to attend Catfish Days.
A request for rock on 3rd
Ave. W. was received. It was noted that
all roads were affected by this winter’s weather. The council recommended the application of
one load of rock on 2nd Ave. W.
A proposal for mosquito spraying was discussed,
$900 for 2 applications or $1854 for 6 applications. The Dev. Corp. has offered to pay for half of
the cost, and other donations will be sought.
Wiese motioned to approve the 6
applications and accept any donations offered, second by Hoffman, RCV-4 Yes, 0
No.
Vacant properties in need of repairs and/or
condemnation were discussed. Wiese
motioned to research inspection costs and condemnation costs, second by
Hoffman, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
Chief Degner reported
that there are eight properties in need of mowing. Hoffman added that the one next door to her
has been mowed by the neighbor, but should receive a notice. Hoffman
motioned to approve sending the 9 Destruction Orders via certified mail, second
by Wiese, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
Councilor requests
included Mayor Degner reporting that Catfish Days was mentioned on “Minnesota
Bound” and he has it recorded if anyone would like to watch it.
At 9:03 p.m., Mayor
Degner called for adjournment, with Hoffman motioning for adjournment, second
by Lyon, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No. The next regular city council meeting will be
held Monday, July 11, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
Respectfully Submitted by
Wendy Pederson, City Clerk/Treasurer