City Council Meeting

Benson City Hall

January 4, 2021

City of Benson Mission Statement

Benson is a forward-looking community that values public safety,

Quality of life and treats people with dignity and respect.

The Council Meeting is at City Hall. Limited seating available. Masks required. Please use the FCC App on your device. (Activate video)

Call-in Information

Dial In: 1-425-436-6384

Access Code: 457987#

1. 5:30 p.m. Call the Meeting to Order (Mayor)

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Approval of Agenda

Additions? □ None 1. ____________________ 2. _____________________

Any Consent Agenda items to be moved to regular agenda item?

Approval of Agenda _____ as Presented or _____ Revised Action Requested

4. Consent Agenda:

a. Minutes:

3-10 ▪ 12.21.2020 City Council Meeting

b. Electronic Transfers:

Payroll: December 31, 2020 - $79,915.79

5. Persons With Unscheduled Business to Come Before the Council:

11 6. Update City Council Appointments (May Council)

▪ Emergency Chain of Command

▪ Economic Development Authority (2 voting members)

▪ Blight Committee (2 members)

▪ Fire Board (2 members)

▪ HRA (2 voting members)

▪ Library Board (1 liaison)

▪ Park Board (1 voting & non-voting member)

▪ Personnel Committee (2 members)

▪ Planning Commission (1 voting member)

▪ Utility Committee (2 members)

▪ Kid Day (2 members)

▪ Facilities Committee (2 members)

▪ City Attorney, Assistant City Attorney (Civil)

▪ Prosecuting Attorney (Criminal

7. Designate the City of Benson’s Official Newspaper Action Requested

8. Designate Bank Depositories: (suggested motion should include: Action Requested

State Banks, National Banks and Thrift Institutions located either

within or outside the State of MN qualifying as depositories under MN law)

9. Authorization of Check Signers (suggested motion should include): Action Requested

All Accounts: Mayor, City Manager, Finance Director

Incidental Fund: Lisa Kent, Valerie Alsaker

Hospital Fund: Lisa Kent

12 10. Approval of Electronic Funds and Wire Transfers Policy Action Requested

11. Schedule Board of Review on April 19, 2020 5:30-6:00 p.m. Action Requested

13 12. Openings on Boards and Commissions Information Only

14 13. MRES Customer Rebate Utility Commission Recommendation Action Requested

14. Consider Resolutions Designating Authorized Representation:

15 ▪ MRES Action Requested

16 ▪ WMMPA Action Requested

17-18 15. Consider Pay Request from UMVRDC–Small Cities Grant Ending Dec. 2020 Action Requested

19 16. Consider Resolution Transferring Xcel Grant Dollars - $8,446.65 Action Requested

20 17. Consider Resolution Transferring Xcel Grant Dollars - $12,114.65 Action Requested

18. Adjourn: Mayor Action Requested

In compliance with the American Disability Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting,

please contact the City Manager’s office at 320-843-4775. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will

enable the City of make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.

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MINUTES - BENSON CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

CITY HALL

DECEMBER 21, 2020

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Mayor Collins. Members present: Terri Collins.

Members present telephonically: Jack Evenson, Mark Schreck, Jon Buyck & Lucas Olson. Members

Absent: None. Also present: City Manager Rob Wolfington, Director of Finance Glen Pederson,.

Attending telephonically are Police Chief Ian Hodge, Public Works Director Dan Gens, Bill McGeary,

Dan Enderson, Melissa McGinty-Thompson, Liz Auch, and Reed Anfinson.

The Council recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Mayor asked for any changes to the agenda. The City Manager added Xcel Energy PILOT

payment as a agenda item. It was moved by Evenson, seconded by Schreck and carried unanimously to

approve the amended agenda.

It was moved by Schreck, seconded by Olson and carried unanimously to approve the following

items on the consent agenda:

▪ December 7, 2020 City Council Minutes

▪ Appoint Dixie Golden to the Library Board term expiring December 31, 2023

▪ Appoint Arlon Lee to the Library Board term expiring December 31, 2023

▪ Appoint Sue Fitz to Planning Commission term expiring December 31, 2023

▪ Appoint Sue Fitz to the HRA Board term expiring December 31, 2025

▪ Dave Martin to Economic Dev. Authority term expiring December 31, 2024

▪ Zane Anderson to the Cemetery Board term expiring December 31, 2023

▪ Judy Hoberg to Fill Cemetery Board term expiring December 31, 2022

▪ Carl Trinkle to the Airport Advisory Comm. term expiring December 31, 2023

Journal Entries November 2020 - $1,626,818.96

Payroll: December 17, 2020 - $137,934.25

The Mayor asked for anyone with unscheduled business to which there was none.

First was the discussion on COVID-19 Vaccination Response. Liz Auch addressed the Council

first and reported that they are receiving a very small number of doses to be used for vaccinations. If they

had more vaccine they could be looking for large spaces to handle people. At this time, they have

contacted law enforcement to provide security and the school to see if their facilities would be available.

Melissa McGinty-Thompson reported that the clinic and hospital would be utilized to vaccinate their own

staff and the ambulance service beginning on Wednesday the 23rd

. Dan Enderson offered that once this

was done that they would only be in a support role to Countryside Public Health. Bill McGeary reported

that his department is ready to help coordinate a large vaccination effort but it doesn’t appear that one will

be needed in the short term. When asked if the Armory would be needed for vaccinations both Auch and

McGeary indicated that other facilities would be their first choices. When asked who was in charge Auch

responded that she felt that it was being co-led by the MN Dept of Health and Emergency Management.

The Mayor thanked them for attending and for their service.

Motion was made by Schreck seconded by Buyck and carried unanimously to approve a On-Sale

and Sunday Liquor License to Track Bar & Grill as renamed from Hanny’s Bar and Grill effective on or

about January 1, 2021.

Motion was made by Buyck seconded by Olson and carried unanimously to approve a one-year

extension of the Sylte farm land lease to Brandon Goff and Corey Goff for $28,668.80. Buyck asked

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what fund the rental income went into and if they were available for land improvements? Wolfington

replied that the income is deposited into the Economic Development Authority Fund and that it is

available for however the council decides to spend it.

The City Manager reviewed a letter from the U.S. Department of Commerce informing us that

our grant application for WWTP Flood Control and force-main upgrade had been selected for further

consideration. More information is requested and will be sent to them over the next several weeks. Being

selected is no guarantee of receiving a grant.

Motion was made by Evenson, seconded by Schreck and carried unanimously to approved the

following dates as city council meeting dates for 2021:

January 4 July 6 (Tuesday)

January 22-23 Strategic Planning July 19

February 1 August 2

February 16 (Tuesday) August 16

March 1 September 7 (Tuesday)

March 15 September 20

April 5 October 4

April 19 October 18

May 3 November 1

May 17 November 15

June 7 December 6

June 21 December 20

Councilmember Schreck offered the following resolution:

A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING POLLING PLACE FOR 2021 ELECTIONS

(RESOLUTION NO. 2020-40)

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 204B.175, subd 1a requires the City Council, by ordinance or

resolution, to designate polling places for the upcoming year; and

WHEREAS, changes to the polling places locations may be made at least 90 days before the next

election if one or more of the authorized polling places becomes unavailable for use; and

WHEREAS, changes to the polling place locations may be made in the case of an emergency

when it is necessary to ensure a safe and secure location for voting; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Benson City Council hereby designates the

following polling place for elections conducted in the city in 2021:

Precincts 1 & 2

McKinney’s on Southside Banquet Room

300 – 14th Street South

Benson, MN 56215

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the city Clerk is hereby authorized to designate an

emergency replacement polling place meeting the requirements of the Minnesota Election law for any

polling place designated in the Resolution when necessary to ensure a safe and secure location for voting.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is directed to send a copy of this

resolution and any subsequent polling place designations to the Swift County Elections office.

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Councilmember Buyck seconded the foregoing resolution and the following vote was recorded:

AYES: Evenson, Collins, Olson, Buyck, Schreck. NAYES: None. Thereupon the Mayor declared

Resolution 2020-40 duly passed and adopted.

Councilmember Schreck offered the following resolution:

RESOLUTION SETTING ASSESSMENTS FOR CURRENT SERVICES

BY THE CITY OF BENSON, MINNESOTA FOR 2020 PAYABLE 2021

(RESOLUTION NO. 2020-41)

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Benson City Council that the following assessments for 2020 as

prepared by the City Manager are hereby approved and made a part thereof; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the assessments hereinafter noted shall be submitted to the

County Auditor on or before December 31, 2020 and placed on the tax roll for collection with the taxes

collectable in 2021.

Charges Name & Mailing Address Legal Description & Parcel No. Amount

Due

Demolition Expenses

703 – 15th St. S.

Kristine A. Knuteson

703 – 15th St. S.

Benson, MN 56215

Lot 9, Block 7

Southside Addition

23-0913-000

$17,840.12

House Repairs

708 – 11th St. N.

Doug Benson

110 Business 23W

Paynesville, MN 56362

Lots 2 S. ½ Lot 3, Block 8

Lynn Park Addition

23-0692-000

$467.70

Mowing Charges

726 – 12th St. S.

Ruby Higdon

726 – 12th St. S.

Benson, MN 56215

Benson Acre Lots

23-1443-000

$940.50

Mowing Charges

316 – 12th St. S.

Susan Marie McCall

P.O. Box 751303

Pataluma, CA 94975-1303

Lots 8, 9, & S.2’Lot 7, Block 3

Railway 1st Addition

23-0337-000

$555.75

TOTALS $19,804.07

Councilmember Evenson seconded the foregoing resolution and the following vote was recorded:

AYES: Evenson, Collins, Olson, Buyck, Schreck. NAYES: None. Thereupon the Mayor declared

Resolution 2020-41 duly passed and adopted.

Councilmember Evenson offered the following resolution:

RESOLUTION SETTING ASSESSMENTS FOR WATER AND

SEWER SERVICES RENDERED BY THE CITY OF

BENSON, MINNESOTA FOR 2020 PAYABLE 2021

(RESOLUTION NO. 2020-42)

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Benson City Council that pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 444

that the assessment roll for 2020 Sewer and Water Bills as prepared by the City Manager is hereby

approved and made a part therefore; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the assessments hereinafter noted shall be submitted to the

County Auditor on or before December 31, 2020 and placed on the tax roll for collection with the taxes

collectable in 2021.

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Account Number, Name

& Address

Legal Description

& Parcel No.

Water Sewer

Totals

102-0014-00-03

404 10th St North

Corey Gallagher

City of Benson Addition

Lts 13 & 14 Blk 1

23-00005-000

$21.51 $301.77 $288.28

201-0084-00-07

308 16th St North

John & Mary Jensen

City Of Benson Addition

Lts 11,12,& 13 Blk 38

23-0236-000

$77.03 $128.34 $205.37

202-0072-00-07

315 19th St North

Jacob Johnson

Mckinney's 3rd Addition

N 34 Ft Of Lt 1 Blk 4

23-0528-000

$303.94 $622.50 $891.44

202-0076-00-06

211 19th St North

Ebnet Investments

Arthur Thornton Addition

Lts 1 & 2 Blk 51

23-0320-000

$21.90 $33.93 $55.83

301-0065-00-14

703 15th St. South

Kristine Knuteson

Southside Addition

Lot 9 Blk 7

23-0913-000

$0.00 $33.75 $33.75

302-0057-00-01

200 15th St South

Randy Olson

Morris & Payte’s Addition

Lts 1 & 2 Blk 42

23-0257-000

$9.72 $453.75 $428.47

401-0013-00-03

726 12th St South

Ruby Higdon

Benson-Acre Lots

23-1443-000

$55.12 $521.25 $541.37

402-0158-00-03

810 Kansas Avenue

Helen Flodstrom

Benson-Acre lots

23-1383-000

$18.33 $29.17 $47.50

402-0189-00-12

200 9th St South

Ebnet Investments, LLC

City of Benson Addition

Lots 1, 2, & 3 Blk 6

23-0026-000

$137.04 $143.61 $280.65

403-0096-00-02

417 13th St South

Dean Christenson

Railway First Addition

Lts 27 & 28 Blk3: S5 Ft Lot

29 Blk 3

23-0345-000

$0.00 $208.50 $208.50

TOTALS $644.59 $2,476.57 $3,121.16

Councilmember Olson seconded the foregoing resolution and the following vote was recorded:

AYES: Evenson, Collins, Olson, Buyck, Schreck. NAYES: None. Thereupon the Mayor declared

Resolution 2020-42 duly passed and adopted.

Motion was made by Schreck seconded by Evenson and carried unanimously to write off the

annual Utility Fund bad debt list in the amount of $18,128.23.

There was discussion on a donation request received from the Prom Afterbash committee. The

City Manager suggested 20 daily swimming pool passes with a $100 value. Motion was made by Olson

seconded by Evenson and carried unanimously to approve donating 20 daily swimming pool passes to the

Prom Afterbash.

Councilmember Evenson offered the following resolution:

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RESOLUTION APPROVING STATE OF MINNESOTA JOINT POWERS AGREEMENTS

WITH THE CITY OF BENSON ON BEHALF OF ITS CITY ATTORNEY AND POLICE

DEPARTMENT

(RESOLUTION 2020-43)

WHEREAS, the City of Benson on behalf of its Prosecuting Attorney and Police Department desires to

enter into Joint Powers Agreements with the State of Minnesota, Department of Public Safety, Bureau of

Criminal Apprehension to use systems and tools available over the State’s criminal justice data

communications network for which the City is eligible. The Joint Powers Agreements further provide the

City with the ability to add, modify and delete connectivity, systems and tools over the five year life of

the agreement and obligates the City to pay the costs for the network connection.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Benson, Minnesota as follows:

1. That the State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements by and between the State of Minnesota acting

through its Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the City of Benson on

behalf of its Prosecuting Attorney and Police Department, are hereby approved.

2. That the Benson Chief of Police, Ian Hodge, or his successor, is designated the Authorized

Representative for the Police Department. The Authorized Representative is also authorized to sign any

subsequent amendment or agreement that may be required by the State of Minnesota to maintain the

City’s connection to the systems and tools offered by the State.

3. That the City Attorney, Benjamin Wilcox, or his successor, is designated the Authorized

Representative for the Prosecuting Attorney. The Authorized Representative is also authorized to sign

any subsequent amendment or agreement that may be required by the State of Minnesota to maintain the

City’s connection to the systems and tools offered by the State.

4. That Terri Collins, the Mayor for the City of Benson, and Glen Pederson, the City Clerk, are

authorized to sign the State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements.

Councilmember Schreck seconded the foregoing resolution and the following vote was recorded:

AYES: Evenson, Collins, Olson, Buyck, Schreck. NAYES: None. Thereupon the Mayor declared

Resolution 2020-43 duly passed and adopted.

Motion was made by Evenson seconded by Buyck to approve the 2020 Summer Recreation bill

from Benson Community Education in the amount of $19,377.98 less $6,940.82 in swimming pool fees

that they collected on our behalf for a net amount due of $12,437.16.

Councilmember Schreck offered the following resolution:

CITY OF BENSON

RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATIONS

(RESOLUTION NO. 2020-44)

WHEREAS, The City of Benson is generally authorized to accepts gifts and bequests pursuant to

Minnesota Statutes Section 465.03 and Minnesota Statutes Section 471.17 for the benefit of its citizens;

and

WHEREAS, the following persons and entities have offered to contribute the cash amounts set

forth below to the city:

Library Patrons $34.20 to Benson Public Library

Benson Residents $1,448.00 for Beautify Benson Shirts

Benson Lions Club $500.00 Fire Donation

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Clayton Dale $20.00 Fire Department in Memory of Richard Dale

Eugene Doscher $20.00 Fire Department in Memory of Richard Dale

WHEREAS, all such donations have been contributed to assist the various city departments and

programs as allowed by law; and

WHEREAS, The City Council finds that it is appropriate to accept the donations offered.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BENSON,

MINNESOTA, AS FOLLOWS:

1. The donations described above are accepted and shall be used to benefit the departments

listed above, as allowed by law.

Councilmember Buyck seconded the foregoing resolution and the following vote was recorded:

AYES: Evenson, Collins, Olson, Buyck, Schreck. NAYES: None. Thereupon the Mayor declared

Resolution 2020-44 duly passed and adopted.

Motion was made by Olson seconded by Buyck and carried unanimously to approve a payment to

Stantec Engineering in the amount of $8,050.15 for WWTP Miscellaneous Upgrades.

Motion was made by Buyck seconded by Evenson and carried unanimously to approve a payment

to Stantec Engineering in the amount of $1,266.75 for the Clearwell & Pump Station.

Motion was made by Evenson seconded by Buyck and carried unanimously to approve a payment

to Stantec Engineering in the amount of $4,541.25 for the Shell Station rezoning.

Motion was made by Buyck seconded by Schreck and carried unanimously to approve a payment

to TKDA in the amount of $3,285 for the Airport A&D Building construction administration.

Councilmember Evenson offered the following resolution:

RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE FINAL GENERAL AND LIBRARY OPERATING

BUDGET AND GENERAL CAPITAL OUTLAY BUDGET

FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2021 FOR THE CITY OF BENSON, MINNESOTA

(RESOLUTION NO. 2020-45)

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Final General and Library Operating Budget and General Capital

Outlay Budget for the City of Benson, Minnesota, for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2021 and

ending December 31, 2021 is hereby approved.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Budget is summarized as follows:

Revenues

Taxes - General Fund 1,071,541

Taxes – Library 120,120

State Grants and Aids 1,313,564

Other Revenues 1,239,278

Total Revenues 3,744,503

Expenditures

General Government 425,288

Public Safety 1,418,400

Highways, Streets and Roads 623,135

Parks and Recreation 537,710

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Library 123,520

Capital Outlay 405,000

Other Expenditures 211,450

Total Expenditures 3,744,503

Excess (Deficiency) of Revenues over Expenditures $0

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager shall cause the entire final Operating

Budget to be printed and filed in the City Office for inspection and reference by the public.

Councilmember Olson seconded the foregoing resolution and the following vote was recorded:

AYES: Evenson, Collins, Olson, Buyck, Schreck. NAYES: None. Thereupon the Mayor declared

Resolution 2020-45 duly passed and adopted.

Councilmember Schreck offered the following resolution:

RESOLUTION ADOPTING FINAL 2020 PROPERTY

TAX LEVY, COLLECTIBLE IN 2021

(RESOLUTION NO. 2020-46)

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Benson, County of Swift, Minnesota that

the following sums of money be levied for the current year, collectible in 2021, upon the taxable property

in the City of Benson, for the following purposes:

General Fund Levy $316,707

Police Personnel 754,834

Library Fund Levy 120,120

G.O. CIP Bonds 2014 – Street Garage

G.O. CIP Bonds 2017 – Police Department

70,397

86,809

TOTAL 1,348,867

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following sum of money be levied for the current year,

collectible in 2021, based upon the market value of the taxable property in the City of Benson, for the

following purpose:

G.O. Swimming Pool $75,044

Total $75,044

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that $64,323.00 is irrevocably appropriated from the Utility Fund

to the equipment portion of the $1,130,000 G. O. Bond, Series 2012A Fund to cover that portion of the

2021 tax levy.

Councilmember Buyck seconded the foregoing resolution and the following vote was recorded:

AYES: Evenson, Collins, Olson, Buyck, Schreck. NAYES: None. Thereupon the Mayor declared

Resolution 2020-46 duly passed and adopted.

Motion was made by Evenson seconded by Schreck and carried unanimously to approve bills and

warrants in the amount of $574,633.11.

Motion was made by Schreck seconded by Olson and carried unanimously to approve the

following exempt wages for 2021:

Robert Wolfington City Manager

106,280.00

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Glen Pederson Director of Finance

96,050.00

Dan Gens

Public Works Director

86,790.00

Ian Hodge Police Chief

86,790.00

Tom Lee

Liquor Store Manager

54,640.00

Valerie Alsaker Administrative Asst.

25.10

Paul Larson Sergeant

33.75

Michael Jacobson Building Official

34.85

The City Manager reported that we have received the first of two annual payments from Xcel

Energy equal to the amount of local property taxes that they were paying prior to the power plant being

demolished. The total received was $815,921.95 and was negotiated as part of the purchase of the

property. Earlier council discussions centered on using the city portion to buy down the 2021 city

property tax levy and to give the County and School District portions to them. This will be an agenda

item in January 2021.

There being no further business to come before the Council a motion was made by Evenson,

seconded by Schreck and carried unanimously to adjourn the Council meeting at 6:22 p.m.

_______________________________________

Mayor

_________________________________________

City Clerk