DRAFT                                                                    

                                                                                                                                      MINUTES OF THE

REGULAR FRANKLIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, March 9, 2009

 

A Regular Meeting of the Franklin City Council was held on Monday, March 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 and Pederson.  No guests were present.  This meeting marked the first live broadcast of the council proceedings on the local access channel.

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.  Munsell motioned to approve the agenda, second by Schacher, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No. 

Mayor Degner called for approval of the minutes of the February 9, 2009 Regular Meeting.  Hoffman motioned to approve the minutes as presented, second by Munsell, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.

            No citizens were present.

            Rose MacMasters, who resides within the city limits but is not connected to city water or sewer, is researching costs for connection to the city.  The council was informed that it was not considered cost-effective to connect her property when the 2004 project was planned.  Also noted was that per the city assessment policy, a main would be 100% assessed to the property owners; Wepplo’s would contest the improvement as their land may not be improved.  The city would be required to engineer this construction, whereas private line construction need not be engineered.  The council consensus was to allow MacMasters to connect private lines to the city and to charge the usual connection fees.

            Hoffman had received several complaints regarding full dumpsters and furniture and junk in yards and questioned why this is not being policed.  Mayor Degner also noted complaints of the same.  Letters will be mailed to the properties noting the complaints.

            At the February 18th meeting with USDA Rural Development, it appeared the proposed improvements project will be funded.  Kevin Friesen is researching partners to assist in funding and what the actual grant to loan breakdown would be.  He proposed that the water portion would be 2.2 million grant and 1.4 million loan; sewer would be 1.5 million grant and .75 million loan (to be paid for with the refinancing of current debt); and the storm sewer would be all loan. 

            The financial status of the city was reviewed and current bills were presented for payment in the amount of $65,388.94; February receipts totaled $13,932.10.  It was noted that the grass rig truck will be paid for with Fire Relief reserves.   Munsell motioned for approval of the bills and financial report as presented, second by Schacher, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.   

            Department Heads were addressed.   Degner presented a request for the city to allow a street dance to be held on Friday evening of Catfish Days, as the street is already blocked off for the square dancers it wasn’t felt it would pose a problem-the bars will be responsible for getting the mess to the street sweeper.  Degner also presented a request by the KMS Ride to block off the street on July 18th for the cyclist to park and eat here as part of their annual ride, the council approved this  provided the bars clean up after.  Degner also received vacation approval.  In Kokesch’s absence, Pederson presented his request to trade-in the lawn mower (which will soon be out of warranty) at a cost of $2950 which was approved by the council; Kokesch also reported that the impellers at the lift stations are failing, one is not working at all and the other two are not working efficiently, replacement cost is quoted at $5,666.87 by Electric Pump.  The council questioned the warranty on the existing impellers, and felt replacement is a necessity, sewer reserves will be used to cover the expense.  Pederson presented a request for funding from SW MN Initiative, which the council denied; Board of Appeal Meeting will be held April 6th with Hoffman, Munsell, and Degner attending. 

            No new zoning permits were issued.  The school is considering purchasing the property at 250 4th Ave. E. and converting it to a parking area and inquired if there would be any problems with this.  Pederson noted that per the Zoning Ordinance, the Planning Commission must approve the plans prior to any construction; the council felt there were no issues.

            Bob Vose, of Kennedy and Graven, provided the city with a draft franchise agreement to be presented to Mediacom.  Munsell suggested the city negotiate a cable-drop at the water tower allowing the city a means of wireless connection to the internet.  Munsell will contact Vose regarding this.

            There were no councilor requests.  Mayor Degner reported on his attending the Town Meeting with our state representatives, they stated that LGA will be cut, and it is thought it will be 10% in 2009 and 2010.  Degner and Pederson will be meeting with representatives of the city of Morton on cost savings ideas.

At 7:55 p.m., Mayor Degner called for adjournment, with Schacher motioning for adjournment, second by Wiese, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.    

         Respectfully Submitted by Wendy Pederson, City Clerk/Treasurer