Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

                                                                                                March 2, 2004

 

            The regular meeting of the City Council was called to order in the Council Chambers of the City Administration Building at 4:30 P.M., Tuesday, March 2, 2004; all members of the Council having been duly notified of the meeting and the business to be transacted.

 

Present:            Mayor Larry G. Buboltz; City Attorney William Briggs; City Administrator Richard Grabow; Assistant City Administrator Lynne Krieger; Finance Officer Louis Guzek; Community Development Director Larry Remmen; Street Commissioner Roy Estes; City Engineer Gary Nansen; Police Chief Kelvin Keena; Building Official Calvin Mayfield; Liquor Store Manager Bradley MacMaster and Fire Chief Jeffrey Swanson.

 

Aldermen:         Anderson, Aune, Brenk, Heltemes, Hoeglund, Imholte, Ness, Riewer and Tollefson.

 

Absent:             None.

 

There being no corrections or additions to the minutes of the regular Council Meeting held February 3, 2004, and the special Council Meeting held February 10, 2004, the Mayor declared that they would stand approved according to copies of the same sent to each member of the Council.

 

Upon the recommendation of the Park Board and Street and Park Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Heltemes, seconded by Alderman Anderson and carried, without a dissenting vote, approving Lakes Area Farmers Market Cooperative’s request to hold their Farmers’ Market in the City Park on the lot north of the Pavilion from May 2004 through October 2004, subject to the conditions that no storage building be placed on the site; no permanent signs be erected and that the Cooperative agree to work with the individuals that are sponsoring other activities in the Park.

 

Pursuant to the recommendation of the Street and Park Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Heltemes, seconded by Alderman Ness and carried, without a dissenting vote, accepting the work and authorizing final payment to Feldt Plumbing and Heating, in the amount of $4,567.25, for stormwater pump station rehabilitation at the Legion Campground.

 

Pursuant to the request of Wells Fargo Bank and the recommendation of the Street and Park Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Heltemes, seconded by Alderman Tollefson and carried, without a dissenting vote, designating no parking on the East side of Minnesota Avenue from Holmes Street to Frazee Street.

 

Upon the request of the Detroit Lakes Soccer Association and the recommendation of the Street and Park Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Heltemes, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, authorizing the establishment of the following incremental payment schedule:

 

In 2004, they will pay 25% of the total watering costs of the fields;

In 2005, they will pay 50% of the total watering costs of the fields; and

In 2006, they will pay 100% of the total watering costs of the fields.

 

Pursuant to the recommendation of the Street and Park Committee and the Sports Arena Commission, a motion was made by Alderman Heltemes, seconded by Alderman Tollefson and carried, without a dissenting vote, authorizing the preparation of plans and specifications and the advertisement for bids for the purchase of a dehumidification unit for Arena #1, to replace the existing unit, such bids to be opened March 31, 2004, at 9:00 A.M.  City Administrator Richard Grabow advised the Council that the existing unit was purchased in the late 60’s.  He further advised that the estimated project cost for the unit is $100,000 and the Youth Hockey Association has agreed to contribute $25,000 to the project and the balance of the funding is proposed to be paid from the Sports Arena Equipment and Improvement Fund which has a current fund balance of approximately $108,000.

 

Pursuant to the Street Commissioner obtaining quotes for a walk behind scrubber for the Sports Arena, the following quote were received:

 

BIDDER                                                          BID AMOUNT

 

Stein’s, Inc.                                                      $5,805.85 (Tenant #5400)

P.O. Box 248

Moorhead, Minnesota  56561-0248

 

Cole Paper                                                       5,998.00 (Wrangler #2602656)

1300 38th Street NW

Fargo, North Dakota   58103              

 

Upon the recommendation of the Street and Park Committee and the Sports Arena Commission, a motion was made by Alderman Tollefson, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, accepting the quote of Stein’s, Inc., Moorhead, Minnesota, in the amount of $5,805.85, for a walk behind scrubber.

 

            The Council acknowledged receipt of the Park Board’s recommendations for use of park dedication funds.  They are as follows:

 

            Program equipment at Long Lake Park                         $10,000.00

            Reserve Funds                                                                25,000.00

            Soccer Fields/Concessions/Restroom Imp.                      20,000.00

            Lincoln Rink’s Warming House Imp.                               15,000.00

            Skate Park Improvements (No money was awarded)

 

            Upon the recommendation of the Street and Park Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Tollefson, seconded by Alderman Heltemes and carried, without a dissenting vote, designating April 30, 2004, as the Arbor Day Celebration.

 

            Pursuant to the recommendation of the Street and Park Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Tollefson, seconded by Alderman Heltemes and carried, without a dissenting vote, designating April 17-24, 2004, as “Citywide Clean-up”.

 

            Upon the recommendation of the Street and Park Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Anderson, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, approving the issuance of a fertilizer license to ChemLawn for 2004, pursuant to their application, surety bond and $25.00 fee.

 

            Pursuant to the recommendation of the Street and Park Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Anderson, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, authorizing the attendance of Street Commissioner Roy Estes to the Wastewater Operator’s Annual Conference in St. Paul on April 9-11, 2004.

 

            Upon the recommendation of the Community Development Committee, a resolution was introduced by Alderman Brenk, who moved its adoption, accepting the feasibility report and ordering plans and specifications for water, sewer and street improvements to Lake Forest 4th Addition.  The motion for the adoption of the resolution was seconded by Alderman Imholte.  City Engineer Gary Nansen briefly summarized the proposed project advising that the project consists of twenty lots which will be developed for single-family residential housing and the total estimated cost for the street and utility improvements is estimated to be $467,150.00 or $18,360.00 per lot.  The Mayor then called the question and the motion for the adoption of the resolution carried unanimously.  The Mayor declared the resolution adopted. 

 

            Pursuant to the recommendation of the Community Development Committee, a resolution was introduced by Alderman Brenk, who moved its adoption, authorizing the update of a feasibility report for extension of water and sewer to the Long Lake area.  The motion for the adoption of the resolution was seconded by Alderman Riewer.  Upon Alderman Brenk’s request, Community Development Director Larry Remmen advised the Council that the City needs to update the report because of the change in prices and also the addition of a portion of the Dave Brainerd property north of the Long Lake Road.  Mayor Buboltz then called the question the motion for the adoption of the resolution carried unanimously, Mayor Buboltz declared the resolution adopted.

 

            Upon the recommendation of the Community Development Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Brenk, seconded by Alderman Hoeglund and carried, without a dissenting vote, introducing for its second reading and adoption, Ordinance No. 247, an ordinance amending Section 3, Subdivision 2D of the Zoning Ordinance allowing accessory structures on vacant lots in residential districts by conditional use permits.   

 

            Pursuant to the recommendation of the Community Development Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Brenk, seconded by Alderman Anderson, introducing for its seconded reading and adoption, Ordinance No. 248, an ordinance regulating lot widths and area for lots in the Shoreland District of Long Lake.  Dave Barsness, 17264 Longview Drive, appeared before the Council and spoke in opposition of the established lot width.  He asked that the Orderly Annexation Agreement with Detroit Township be amended so that the lot size on Long Lake would not be diminished.  After further discussion, the Mayor called the question and the motion carried with one dissenting vote (Imholte).

 

            Upon the recommendation of the Community Development Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Brenk, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, introducing, for its first reading, an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 221, relative to Ward Boundaries within the City of Detroit Lakes.

 

            Pursuant to the recommendations of the Planning Commission and the Community Development Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Brenk, seconded by Alderman Imholte and carried, without a dissenting vote, approving the Common Interest Community Number 38- Stonebrooke Villas Condominium-Plat.

 

            Upon the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Anderson, seconded by Alderman Imholte and carried, without a dissenting vote, introducing for its second reading and adoption Ordinance No. 249, an ordinance regulating the clean-up of clandestine drug lab sites and authorizing publication of the ordinance in summary form.

 

            Pursuant to the Fire Chief obtaining bids for the purchase of SCBA Masks, the following bids were received:

 

            Alex Air                                                           $3,800.00 each (30 Drassor Sentinal)

                                                                                         400.00 each (30 Bottle 2250 PSI)

 

            Dakota Fire Safety                                           $3,850.00 each (30 Scott)

                                                                                         625.00 each (30 Bottle 2250 PSI)

 

Upon the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Imholte, seconded by Alderman Anderson to accept the FEMA Assistance to Firefighter Grant and the bid of Alex Air for SCBA Masks in the total amount of $126,000.00.  Alderman Imholte advised the Council that the grant will cover 90% of the cost and the other 10% will be taken from the Fire Equipment Fund.  Mayor Buboltz then called the question and the motion carried unanimously.

 

            Pursuant to the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Anderson, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, authorizing the attendance of six firefighters to the firefighter school in Duluth on March 27-28, 2004.

 

            After the Police Chief and Fire Chief summarized their annual reports and upon the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Anderson, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, accepting the 2003 Detroit Lakes Volunteer Fire Department Annual Report and slate of officers for 2004 and the 2003 Police Chief Annual Report and ordered them placed on file.

 

Mayor Buboltz called to order a hearing at 5:10 P.M. to consider the matter of a

reported nuisance at 309 West Front Street.  Building Official Calvin Mayfield advised the Council that the property owner has not cleaned up the property.  There being no further comments, Mayor Buboltz closed the hearing at 5:11 P.M. and reconvened the regular Council meeting.  A motion was made by Alderman Brenk, seconded by Alderman Heltemes and carried, without a dissenting vote, that the City Council finds that a nuisance exists in violation of City Code Chapter 901 at the property location set forth above due to the accumulation of household garbage, toilet, television, cans and bags of garbage in the yard, that the nuisance was not terminated or abated by the property owner after notice and order to do so duly given by the City; that the City shall abate the nuisance at 309 West Front Street.

 

            Upon the recommendation of the Liquor/Gambling Control Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Ness, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, to approve the issuance of an on-sale intoxicating liquor license and Sunday on-sale intoxicating liquor license for The Bridge Marina Bar and Grill for the period April 1, 2004, through December 31, 2004.

 

            Pursuant to the request of the Detroit Lakes Shrine Club and Color Guard and upon the recommendation of the Liquor/Gambling Control Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Ness, seconded by Alderman Tollefson and carried, without a dissenting vote, authorizing the donation of $50.00 to help send area 5th graders to the El Zagel Shrine Circus.

 

            Pursuant to the request of the of the Grad Bash and Post Prom Committee and upon the recommendation of the Liquor/Gambling Control Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Ness, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, authorizing a $50.00 donation to the Grad Bash Committee and a $50.00 donation to the Post Prom Committee.

 

            Upon the recommendation of the Liquor/Gambling Control Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Anderson, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, approving gambling applications submitted by the following:

            1)         The Detroit Lakes Noon Kiwanis for gambling at their

                        Annual Auction on April 16, 2004, at the Speak Easy;

            2)         The Lake Area Gobblers – National Wild Turkey Federation

                        to conduct raffles at the Holiday Inn on April 17, 2004; and

            3)         The Becker County Agricultural Society for bingo and raffles

                        at the Becker County Fairgrounds July 28-31, 2004.

 

            Pursuant to the advertisement for bids for a 60’ bucket truck aerial device with trade-in of a 1989 Reach All Aerial Unit, the following bids were received and opened on Feburary 27, 2004, at 10:00 A.M.:

 

            Bidder                          Bid                   Trade-In                                   Net Cost

DUECO                                   $114,371         $5,000                                     $109,371

Watertown, SD

 

ALTEC                                      126,084         10,000                                      116,084

Indianapolis, IN           

 

ABM Equipment                        124,617            5,000                                      119,617

Hopkins, MN

 

Upon the recommendation of the Public Utilities Committee, a motion was made by Alderman Aune, seconded by Alderman Ness and carried, without a dissenting vote, to accept the bid of DUECO, Watertown, South Dakota, in the amount of $114,371.00, less $5,000.00 for trade-in of the 1989 Reach All Aerial Unit, for a 60’ bucket truck aerial device with two options as outlined in the bid.

 

 

            Upon the recommendation of the Mayor, a motion was made by Alderman Aune, seconded by Alderman Ness and carried, without a dissenting vote, to appoint Jean Livingood to another three-year term on the Detroit Lakes Sports Arena Commission effective May 1, 2004.

 

            Mayor Buboltz requested that a letter of appreciation be sent to Jack Norby for his many years served on the Sports Arena Commission.

 

            Pursuant to the recommendation of the Mayor, a motion was made by Alderman Brenk, seconded by Alderman Ness and carried, without a dissenting vote, appointing Dan Biermeier and Brian Johnson to the Detroit Lakes Tourism Bureau for a 3-year term effective April 1, 2004.

 

            Upon the recommendation of the Mayor, a motion was made by Alderman Imholte seconded by Alderman Brenk and carried, without a dissenting vote, appointing Greg Potvin to a two-year term on the Holmes Center, Inc. Board of Directors as a City representative effective May 1, 2004.

 

            Mayor Buboltz requested that the letter of appreciation be sent to Dixie Johnson for her service on the Holmes Center, Inc. Board of Directors.

 

            A motion was made by Alderman Brenk, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, authorizing the attendance of Council and staff to the League of Minnesota Cities Safety and Loss Control Workshops in Fergus Falls on April 7, 2004.

 

            A motion was made by Alderman Anderson, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, approving the issuance of a plumbing license for 2004 to Randy Torma dba T & T Plumbing and Heating, Menahga, pursuant to his application, compliance bond and $25.00 fee.

 

            A motion was made by Alderman Anderson, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, approving the issuance of a cigarette license, for one year, to the Cenex Convenience Store, 911 East Highway 34, pursuant to their application and $100.00 fee.

 

A motion was made by Alderman Anderson, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, that building permits for the month of February, 2004, in the estimated construction value of $1.386.353.00, be issued pursuant to their application accompanied by the required City fees and state surcharges, the issuance of such permits having been recommended by the Building Official and approved by the Community Development Committee.

A motion was made by Alderman Anderson, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, that the trial balance, submitted by Finance Officer Louis Guzek, showing the balance in the City treasury to be in the amount of $3,976,635.68 as of February 29, 2004, be accepted, approved and placed on file.

Pursuant to the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a resolution was introduced by Alderman Anderson, who moved its adoption, approving the payment of claims paid by proper authorization covering the period February 4, 2004, through March 2, 2004, in the amount of $3,709,074.54.  The motion for the adoption of the resolution was seconded by Alderman Aune and carried without a dissenting vote.  The Mayor declared the resolution adopted.

The motion was made by Alderman Anderson, seconded by Alderman Aune and carried, without a dissenting vote, that the Chief of Police Reports, County Court Report for January, 2004, Fire Chief’s Report, Monthly Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance Report, Liquor Store Manager’s Report and parking violations report be approved and placed on file.

 

Eric Margolis, 515 Central Street, presented a letter to the Council from the Warning Siren Sub-Committee requesting funding for an Emergency Warning Siren System.  Mayor Buboltz referred the letter to the Public Safety Committee and asked that the Committee report to the Council at the next City Council Meeting relative to this letter.

 

There being no further business to conduct, by general consent, the Mayor adjourned the meeting.  (5:29 P.M.)

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                        Lynne Krieger

                                                                        Assistant City Administrator