MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR
FRANKLIN
Monday,
September 14, 2009
A Regular Meeting of the Franklin City Council
was held on Monday, September 14, 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. Guests present were: Don Wolling, John Clobes,
Mike Duck, Ryan Hall, Ryan Robinson, Steve Stieve,
Kathy Morowitz, Randy Grunke,
Roger Boettger, David Pearson, and Bob Fox.
At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Degner called the meeting to
order with all council present.
Mayor Degner requested approval of the agenda;
John Clobes requested to address the council. Hoffman
motioned to approve the agenda, second by Munsell, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Mayor
Degner called for approval of the minutes of the August 10, 2009, Regular Meeting.
Schacher motioned to approve the minutes as presented, second by
Munsell, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
No citizens requested to
be addressed.
Several individuals were
present to discuss the Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Don Wolling stated that future plans should have drawings/blueprints and
that codes need to be followed. Wolling
contacted OSHA regarding the steps/railing noting they are not OSHA code compliant;
Wolling also felt disrespect with the way the flags are hung, their sizes, and
the lack of poles, as well as the use of a flag on the public access
channel. Roger Boettger,
KMS, stated that he, KMS, the Patriot Guard, and many veterans are very impressed
with the park and the work done so far and the volunteers that did the park
work should be complemented and commended for their efforts, that their
intentions are good and minor flaws may be corrected in time. Duck explained that future plans for the park
include the installation of a handicap accessible bathroom/shower on the east
side with a sidewalk to connect this to the main shelter; and adding retaining
walls and flowers around the flag poles and other monuments. The group’s hope is to have this completed
before Catfish Days 2010 provided enough funding is obtained. Fundraising ideas and plans were discussed;
Pederson will research the DNR and other grants. Blueprints and bids for the project will be
obtained; the group requested the city’s assistance with water and sewer
connections; Mayor Degner offered to lay block.
David Pearson, Xcel
Energy, requested the city renew the franchise agreement with Xcel Energy that
will expire in November. Pearson
explained that the agreement gives Xcel the right to maintain its property
within the city’s right-of-way and noted that Xcel pays taxes to the city. Pearson also added that in the 400
communities Xcel serves, 95% have an agreement, 10% have a franchise fee, and
he believes it to be good business practice to have an agreement in place. Jim Strommen,
Kennedy and Graven, reviewed the city’s right-of-way ordinances and stated the
ordinances are sufficient for the city and there is no need for a franchise
agreement with Xcel unless the city would desire to implement a franchise
fee. Munsell suggested that if Xcel
wants the franchise agreement, Xcel should pay the attorney fees for a
negotiated agreement. Schacher motioned to not sign a franchise
agreement with Xcel Energy per the advice of the city attorney; second by
Hoffman, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
John Clobes, Clobes Sanitation, requested a three-year contract renewal
and an increase from $1,150 to $1,250 per month for garbage hauling. The council will act on the contract at the
October meeting and stated they are happy with the service.
Munsell contacted Kathy
Larson regarding the Community Center with no decision being made, she is
checking on costs to remove the back of the building. Kerkhoff Realty
didn’t feel they could get much money for the building. Munsell will speak with Larson again.
The financial status of
the city was reviewed and current bills were presented for payment in the
amount of $38, 332.09; August receipts totaled $11,672.07. Wiese
motioned for approval of the bills and financial report as presented, second by
Hoffman, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Department Heads were
addressed. Hoffman questioned the police
radar gun, with Degner noting it is not calibrated; Degner would like the city
to follow the county’s tobacco ordinance.
Pederson reported for Kokesch that the MN Dept. of Health performed a
water supply inspection and no deficiencies were found; the city water is
currently not chlorinated and chlorination is not mandated, but
recommended. Pederson reported on the
“Whistle Stop Tour” scheduled for Sept. 30; no response was received from
Prairie Agra Fuels; the city received a
$5,165.77 refund from the health insurance pool and will renew membership;
there is a presentation by the county at the Veteran’s Park tomorrow for
several state senators regarding funding for paving Co. Rd. 5 and its
corresponding trail; the county administrator is holding a meeting on the 800
mega hertz switch; the Expert T Billing contract will expire at the end of this
year; USDA has until 9/20/2010 to obligate funding.
No new zoning permits
were issued. Pederson reported on a
request to bring in a trailer house, but there is no allowance for them in the
current zoning ordinance.
The council reviewed the
2010 Fee Schedule. The ambulance
department discussed the ALS intercept rate increase from $150 to $225, no rate
increase was added to the ALS billing fee of $950 as it still cash flows. Schacher
motioned to approve the 2010 Fee Schedule; second by Munsell, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Pederson presented the proposed 2010 budget with a proposed levy of $144,915, an increase of 4.947% from 2009. Munsell motioned to approve the proposed 2010 budget and levy as presented, second by Schacher, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No. Munsell motioned to approve Resolution 2009-5, Notice of Proposed Property Taxes, second by Wiese, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No. As it is not required, there will not be a Truth in Taxation Hearing held.
The Renville County
Commissioners have agreed to sell parcel 32-00420-00 to the city for $100.00,
providing it is for a public use.
Demolition costs could be around $10,000.00 and it is not yet known if
the house may be burned by the Fire Dept., yet these costs seem reasonable for
the relocation of the back-up well site.
Munsell motioned to approve
Resolution 2009-6, Conveyance of Parcel 32-00420-00, second by Schacher, RCV-5
Yes, 0 No.
Councilor requests were addressed. Hoffman has been asked what can be done with
deteriorating buildings, Pederson noted that the Vacant Property Ordinance
allows for the city to inspect vacant properties for health and safety issues
and allows for the city to repair properties and assess the charges for the
repairs if the property owner does not take care of the repairs. Munsell reported that the Boy Scouts will be
having a movie night on Oct. 2nd at the Veteran’s Park.
At 8:31 p.m., Mayor
Degner called for adjournment, with Wiese motioning for adjournment, second by
Hoffman, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Respectfully Submitted by
Wendy Pederson, City Clerk/Treasurer