MINUTES
OF THE
REGULAR
FRANKLIN
Monday,
May 11, 2009
A Regular Meeting of the Franklin City Council
was held on Monday, May 11, 2009, at 7:00 p.m., at City Hall. Council present were: Degner, Hoffman, Munsell, and Schacher. Staff Department Heads present were: Degner, Kokesch, and Pederson. Guests present were: Mike U’ren, Joel
Harmoning, and Scott Nissen.
At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Degner called the meeting to
order and noted roll call showing Wiese absent.
Mayor Degner requested approval of the agenda. Schacher motioned to approve the agenda,
second by Munsell, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
Mayor
Degner called for approval of the minutes of the April 13, 2009 Regular Meeting.
Hoffman motioned to approve the minutes as presented, second by Munsell,
RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
Citizens were
addressed. U’ren and the Development Corp. representatives
reported to the council that U’ren has signed a
purchase agreement for the former Palmyra building, which he plans to demolish
and replace with a new steel building, approximately 40’ x 60’. U’ren hopes to
lease the building, possibly to a beauty operator and a chiropractor. U’ren requested any
assistance the city and Development Corporation could offer. The city will research options and consider
some type of abatement or assistance with a new water service.
The project reports have
been submitted by the city engineer.
Andy Pratt of Kennedy and Graven is completing the “Proposed Method of
Finance” for the city. Andy Kehren
reported that USDA should make a determination prior to the June council
meeting.
The
financial status of the city was reviewed and current bills were presented for
payment in the amount of $34,912.44; April receipts totaled $39,646.04. Munsell
motioned for approval of the bills and financial report as presented, second by
Schacher, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
Department Heads were addressed. Kokesch stated that dust sealing will be
applied the week of May 18th and Dennis Becker requested 3 loads of
gravel be applied to 3rd St. and some on 1st Ave. prior
to dust sealing, which the council approved; Kokesch received approval to
attend wastewater training in New Ulm in June; a portable toiled has been
installed at the boatlanding; there has been
vandalism in the parks and water has been turned on and left running; shop
garage doors have been repaired; and Kokesch will price a water heater for the
city shop. Pederson reported that the
Mediacom Franchise Agreement is still being negotiated; there have been
problems and complaints about the public access channel, Munsell will work on
it; the county-wide clean up will be June 9-11; the city audit will begin May
13th and the city has been chosen for a sales tax audit on May 20th;
TIF certification must be made by June 30th and noted Prairie Agra
Fuels will not be constructing in time for certification.
A
zoning permit was issued to Jeff and Connie Lund to install PVC fencing at 250
Fifth Street.
Beth
McCorquodale said
that she and Terry Greenslit spoke and she said Terry
thought she was coordinating the entire integrated summer recreation
program. Beth wondered about staff from
Franklin and what the council thought.
The council decided that the planning of a coordinated program began too
late and decided that Beth should run the Franklin program. Beth is planning to coordinate games with
Morton and Morgan in June of this year.
The council would like to pursue a joint recreation program for summer
2010 and have it planned in January-February.
Construction
has begun at the Veteran’s Memorial (ball) Park. Pederson is applying for a grant through
Renville County HRA for additional funding for handicap accessibility. The broken windows in the shelter will be
removed.
The
city attorney drafted a contract for the new ambulance and recommended the city
not prepay with the financing option and rather pay on delivery. The contract date for the completion of the
ambulance was set at December 31, 2009, and the city will not prepay.
Schacher motioned to approve the contract between the city and Clarey’s as written, second by Munsell, RCV-4 Yes, 0
No.
The
deadline for the Franklin Ambulance Identity Theft program has been extended to
August 1, 2009. Munsell motioned to table the Ambulance Identity Theft Program until
the ambulance staff has the opportunity to review the draft program, second by
Schacher, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
Munsell motioned to list the 1975 Chevrolet (grass rig) truck and the
Sanborn air compressor as surplus property, second by Schacher, RCV-4 Yes, 0
No. Sealed bids will be opened at
the July council meeting allowing the bidder the right to raise their bid, with
the city reserving the right to reject any and all bids. Pederson will draft ads to be placed in the LMC Marketplace, the Fairfax-Standard Gazette, and the Golden Galaxy.
In
Pederson’s absence the draft Vacant Properties Policy was adopted at the last
meeting. Pederson presented this to the
city attorney and he recommended the city adopt his amendments to Ordinance
92. Munsell
motioned to rescind the adoption of the Vacant Property Policy, second by
Hoffman, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No. Hoffman motioned to approve
the Ordinance 92 amendments, Abatement of Noxious Weeds and the Registration of
Vacant Buildings, second by Schacher, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
Munsell motioned to
approve the liquor license renewals of the Franklin Depot and Longbranch Saloon, second by Schacher, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
Munsell motioned to
approve the 3.2 liquor license renewal of the Franklin Bp, second by Hoffman,
RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
Councilor requests were addressed. Schacher reported that the Fire Dept. will be
submitting a FEMA grant application in the amount of $136,000, for turn-out
gear and SCBA’s; the city’s 5% match would be $6,800 if approved. Hoffman questioned if there has been any
interest in the community center building.
Munsell attended the cable commission meeting and is pleased with Bob Vose’s representation of the city with the Mediacom
franchise agreement and noted the FCC will be taking away the right to contract
in the future.
At 8:12 p.m.,
Mayor Degner called for adjournment, with Schacher motioning for adjournment,
second by Hoffman, RCV-4 Yes, 0 No.
Respectfully Submitted by
Wendy Pederson, City Clerk/Treasurer