REGULAR/ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OFDA7E33D… · Web viewCITY OF NOWTHEN. CITY COUNCIL MEETING....

CITY OF NOWTHENCITY COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2015 @ 7:00 PM

The Nowthen City Council held its Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at 7:00 PM, at the Nowthen City Hall, 19800 Nowthen Blvd NW, Nowthen, Minnesota.

Present: Mayor Jeff PilonCouncilmember Jim SchefflerCouncilmember Paul ReighardCouncilmember Randy BettingerCouncilmember Mary Rainville

Others: Lt. Wayne Heath

Approve/amend the meeting agenda – Pilon added item 7.e. Authorization for advanced action. Pilon made a motion to approve the amended agenda; Bettinger seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

1). Sheriff Update: - Sheriff James Stuart introduced some of the deputies that patrol Nowthen. Lt. Wayne Heath provided an update of calls for Sheriff service for the month of January 2015.

2). Floor Items: - Judy Herrala of 22730 Waco Street NW stated that she has been reading that people are upset that the Special Meeting on December 29, 2014 was not recorded. She has an audio recording to that meeting that she would like to give to the Council.

Clayton Connelly of 9030 184th Ave NW, stated that he was here at the January 13, 2015 meeting and also made a call to the City Clerk to be added to the agenda to discuss the deaf child signage by his house. LaDoucer stated that she did discuss this with Mr. Connelly and the Maintenance Supervisor. The signs have been ordered and will be put up.

Dale Ames of 22176 Sugar Bush Road has come before the City Council tonight regarding the newspaper that they will be voting on tonight. In his opinion, he looked at both papers that are being considered, and the Anoka Record overall is where we could have the most coverage for the City. Not only the coverage, but it is free and on the internet. A number of years ago, they used to have the Elk River Star as the official newspaper.

City of NowthenRegular City Council Meeting February 10, 2014

He doesn’t know why it was ever changed, because they had a lot better coverage with the Elk River Star. Ames is very disappointed with the Anoka paper; because they hardly ever cover anything about Nowthen, except for the legal section. When you go through all the legal notices, it takes a rocket scientist to find Nowthen, because there are so many legal notices. It is really had to find the legal notices in the Anoka Union. Ames is appealing to the Council and letting them know what he thinks. He spoke to several other people and they told him the same thing, that they are disappointed with the Anoka Union.

3). Engineer’s Report - a) MS4 Reporting Requirements – Rainville made a motion to table the

MS4 reporting requirements until they can get a full report of costs associated with doing the MS4 reporting; Pilon seconded. Scheffler opposed. Four in favor. Motion carried. Rainville also wanted to know what part of this can be done by internal staff. Rainville made a motion to have internal staff provide information as to if they can prepare any of the report themselves; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

b) Structure Setbacks from Wetlands – Rainville made a motion to have the internal staff do the research of the surrounding communities and obtain their setback from the wetlands; Reighard seconded. Scheffler asked if this could be passed onto P&Z for review and discussion. Rainville said that the initial investigation can be done by internal staff and then it could go to P&Z, then Council, for discussion; All in favor; motion carried.

4). Sugar Hill Regional Trail Master Plan – February 13th Final Date to submit comments.

5). Adopt Resolution 2015-01 – A Resolution Making Council Appointments – Pilon stated that he would like to divide the resolution and go line by line for each appointment.

Acting Mayor – Pilon made a motion to appoint Mary Rainville as acting Mayor; Reighard seconded. Four in favor; Bettinger seconded. Motion carried.


City Clerk - Pilon made a motion to appoint Corrie LaDoucer as City Clerk; Rainville seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

Building Official – Rainville made a motion to appoint City of St. Francis/Andy Schreder as Building Official; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

City Planner – Rainville made a motion to appoint The Planning Co./ Liz; Stockman as the City Planner; Reighard seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

Planning Commission Liaison - Scheffler made a motion to appoint Randy Bettinger as the liaison for the Planning Commission; Reighard seconded. Rainville stated that for the last couple of years they had two council representatives on the commission and she would ask that the Council continue with the two Council members. She would ask to add Jeff Pilon’s name as a second member. Three in favor of Scheffler’s motion; Rainville and Pilon opposed. Motion carried.

Rainville made a motion to have two City Council representatives on the Planning and Zoning Commission; Pilon seconded. Bettinger thinks this discussion should be part of the discussion of appointments to the Commission and Committees. Rainville withdrew her motion.

Park and Rec. Committee Liaison – Rainville made a motion to appoint Paul Reighard as the Park and Rec. Committee Liaison; Bettinger seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

Road and Bridge Committee Liaison Pilon – Scheffler made a motion to appoint Mary Rainville as Road and Bridge Committee Liaison; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

Architectural Review Committee – Rainville made a motion to move this committee under the resolution of Committee Assignments; Pilon seconded. Rainville stated that back in 2004 there were 4 members on this committee. If the Council wants to be consistent with the other committees, they should consider appointing only 5 members. All in favor; motion carried.

Recycling Coordinator – Bettinger made a motion to appoint Jim Scheffler as Recycling Coordinator; Reighard seconded. All in favor; motion carried.


County Fire Protection Council – Scheffler made a motion to appoint Jeff Pilon and Paul Reighard to the Anoka County Fire Protection Council; Rainville seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

Personnel Committee – Rainville made a motion to table the Personnel Committee until the Council has further discussion about the responsibilities; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

Anoka Co. Hwy Dept. Representative – Reighard made a motion to appoint Randy Bettinger as the Anoka Co. Hwy Dept. Representative; Scheffler seconded. Rainville wanted to make sure there was not conflict of interest. LaDoucer stated that there’s no conflict. All in favor; motion carried.

Emergency Management Director – Rainville made a motion to appoint Bart Hayft, as the Emergency Management Director and Corrie LaDoucer, as an alternate; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

Watershed Representative – Rainville made a motion to continue with Malcom Vinger and table to open position until the Council has an opportunity to discuss the position further; Bettinger seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

Community Development Representative – Rainville made a motion to table the appointment until they have a time to provide roles and responsibility regarding this position; Reighard seconded. Rainville asked that staff continue their search of the role and responsibility and to research what other communities have. All in favor; motion carried.

Fire Board Representatives - Rainville made a motion to appoint Jeff Pilon and Paul Reighard as the Fire Board Representatives; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

Emergency Contacts – Reighard made a motion to appoint Joe Glaze and Jeff Pilon as the Emergency Contacts; Rainville seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

Weed Inspector – Mayor Jeff Pilon appointed by statute

City Prosecuting Attorney - Rainville made a motion to appoint Smith and Glaser as the Prosecuting Attorney; Bettinger seconded. All in favor; motion carried.


City Civil Attorney – Rainville made a motion to appoint Couri and Ruppe as the City Civil Attorney; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

City Engineer – Rainville made a motion to appoint Hakanson Anderson as the City Engineer; Reighard seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

Animal Control Officer – Scheffler made a motion to appoint Jill Huston of Dover Kennel as the Animal Control Officer; Bettinger seconded. All in favor motion carried.

Official Newspaper – Rainville made a motion to appoint the Anoka Record as the Official Newspaper; Pilon seconded. Rainville said that there is controversy over this. Nowthen has been with the Anoka Union for quite some time. By going with the Anoka County Record, it allows the City to see a cost savings with the initial bid that was submitted by the Record. It allows not only the residents, but the City itself to save money by the difference in the cost of the publications. In her mind, the Council has to separate whether this is a community newspaper vs. another newspaper. We are looking at two newspapers that meet the same criteria.

Rainville stated that this afternoon the City did get an additional updated bid from the Anoka County Record, which they are offering to do the publishing for a year at no cost to the City. There would be a savings of about $3,500. She thinks it is important to look at those savings and go with the Record.

Pilon thinks that the understanding is that there would be no cost with publications; and if the numbers are accurate, of paying approximately $3,500 for publications last year. Of that $2,500 was recoverable and $1,000 was out of the General Fund. Reighard said that there were some costs of publications last year associated with elections. He said that the $3,500 is probably high, based on elections. Pilon said that it is probably based on other activities as well. In some years, there have been several ordinance publications.

Pilon does think that the point made is that they are separating it from a community newspaper and an official publication for legal notices. He stated that at the League of MN Cities Conference, the League and other people are lobbying with State Legislature to make the hard copy of the publications optional and have electronic publications notifications, an option for the future.

We are really talking about getting the information in a legal public paper.


If the City can do that at no cost to the residents, it does seem like a prudent choice.

Pilon said that the separation of sports and entertainment and a variety of other information, the key thing that they are talking about is the section of the paper that does public notices. Right now the opportunity before us is to have no cost to the Nowthen residents and placing an ad in our newsletters. If they are looking at the benefit of the residents and not the support of one papers opinion or style over another, it would be a reasonable option for the residents of Nowthen. We are not endorsing the editorial content one way or another.

Bettinger stated that he has read many articles, weeks back, from the Anoka Record and he doesn’t like the content that it is there. It is a negative paper. He didn’t even know the paper existed 6 weeks ago. He doesn’t even think that a majority of citizens know to look there for legal publications. There were a couple of articles in the Anoka Record that made Nowthen look like a bunch of hicks. The person who wrote the last article didn’t have their facts straight. It stated that at the last meeting Bettinger handed out a letter, which was not true. The Record doesn’t even do retractions; you have to write an editorial. Bettinger doesn’t think that is the way to do business and it doesn’t reflect very well in our community.

Rainville stated that she understands Bettinger’s reluctance. She herself does not agree with a lot of the editorials that are in the Anoka Record. She was also contacted by several people that said they don’t like the content of the Anoka Record. Rainville stated that her response is not what is being published, but at the fact that they are two official newspapers that fit the legal requirements to put our legal notices in. The City would not be accepting or endorsing anything else that is in the Anoka Record. We would just be publicizing the legal notices. As far as residents having a hard time finding the legal notices, she was hard pressed at even finding residents that look for legal notices. Unless the residents have something in front of the Council, people don’t look for the legal notices. Rainville doesn’t even know what size audience looks at the legal notices where they are published now. She thinks that this is an opportunity to save tax payers dollars by going with the Anoka Record.

Rainville stated that the Anoka Union Herald offered to also place the legal articles in the Elk River Star for free. This would increase the number of residents who would get the notices. If people aren’t looking for the legal notices, it doesn’t make a different that we are getting additional area. Going with the Anoka Record gives us the opportunity to save money.


Rainville and Pilon in favor of appointing the Anoka Record, as the official newspaper. Bettinger, Scheffler and Reighard opposed. Motion failed

Bettinger made a motion to appoint the Anoka County Union Herald as the official newspaper; Scheffler seconded. Rainville wanted it on the record that by going with the Anoka County Union Herald, that we are voting to expend city tax dollars and residents tax dollars for publications. If we had chosen the Anoka Record, it would not cost anything and we would receive revenues from the Anoka Record for them placing ads in our newsletter. Three in favor; Rainville and Pilon opposed. Motion carried.

Official Bank – Bettinger made a motion to appoint Pine River State Bank as the Official Bank; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

Item #2 – Rainville made a motion to change the paragraph on #2 to say “that the Staff and/or Consultants will attend the council, commissions and committee meetings as directed by the Mayor in consultation with City Staff”. Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

Item #3 - Bettinger made a motion to approve item #3; Reighard seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

6). Adopt Resolution 2015-03 – A Resolution Making Formal Appointments to Commission and Committees – Rainville made a motion to continue the appointments until the next workshop and meeting so they can further discuss the roles and responsibilities; Pilon seconded. Four in favor; Bettinger opposed. Motion carried.

7). Planning and Zoninga). Arnold & Linda Nordquist (21035 Gypsy Valley Rd. 14-33-25-24-0005) –

Request for IUP to allow Home Extended Business to store work vehicles, supplies, and equipment associated with landscaping business. – Rainville made a motion to approve the request for an IUP with the following conditions;

1. Hours of operation are limited to Monday through Friday 7AM to 7PM and Saturday 8AM to 5PM.


2. No more than two (2) full-time or (4) part-time on-site employees or subcontractors may be permitted on the property at any given time, excluding family members.

3. A building permit is obtained prior to beginning construction on the new shed. The shed is constructed within one (1) year of the date of City Council IUP approval.

4. Existing natural vegetative screening is maintained and healthy at all times. If natural vegetative screening dies or is destroyed by natural causes, new trees shall be planted to screen the outdoor storage area from Gypsy Valley Road and the neighboring properties.

5. Any change or intensification of the property use, or activities not permitted by the Interim Use Permit issued shall require an amended IUP.

6. The property shall be periodically reviewed for compliance upon notification by the Zoning Administrator or Building Official or according to a review frequency as may be established by the City Council.

7. Termination of the IUP will occur at the time the property is sold outside of the family, upon violation of any condition, following discontinuation of the business or use for one (1) year, or a change in regulation by the City Council.

8. If an interim use approved by the City Council is not exercised or put into effect within one (1) year of the date of approval, by fulfilling each and every condition attached thereto, it shall terminate unless a request is submitted to the City in writing no less than thirty (30) days prior to the deadline. The City Zoning Administrator may approve an extension which shall not exceed ninety (90) days where after reapplication and approval of the interim use by the City Council will be required.

9. The applicants are responsible for all costs associated with the processing of this request.

10. Application for a driveway permit is made with the City for installation of the required culvert within the Gypsy Valley Road right-of-way.


The culvert is installed as early as possible in the spring and according to the specifications outlined within the permit approved by the public works supervisor.

Bettinger seconded Rainville’s motion to approve the request for an IUP to allow Home Extended Business to store work vehicles, supplies, and equipment associated with landscaping business. All in favor; motion carried.

b). Richard Halldorson – 18560 Cleary Road – Code Enforcement/CUP – Rainville made a motion to require that Richard Halldorson comply with the original Conditional Use Permit conditions, regarding outside storage and any other stipulations imposed with his CUP and that any work on the fence complies to existing codes; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

c). Flag Lots – (See Nov P&Z Minutes/Further Directive from Council) – Bettinger made a motion to send the Flag Lot Ordinance back to the Planning and Zoning Commission to consider going back to the original version of the Ordinance or discuss some type of compromise to allow flag lots; Scheffler seconded. Pilon said that Bettinger wants to send back what P&Z prepared over the years and look at changing it back. Bettinger said what the City had for an ordinance in the past worked quite well. It is a real cost to the City to maintain additional roads. There are a lot of instances that flag lots work real well. It is not cost effective to put in a short street with a cul-de-sac. Scheffler thinks that there could be some type of meeting ground. That will take a little more discussion. It doesn’t have to go back to the original way. Four in favor; Pilon opposed. Motion carried.

d). Commercial Monumental Signage – Acceptable on City Property? – Rainville said that the City would be interested in entertaining placing a sign on city property if the business owners have an agreement on who is going to pay for it, maintain it, etc. The City should not have to act on anything further until a proposal is submitted to the City. Scheffler said that the Council should give a clear signal that we would entertain the idea, if they would come up with a design and a way to pay for it all. There would be no interest to have the businesses move forward with the cost to hire a designer, etc. without them knowing that the City would entertain this.


Scheffler made a motion that the City would entertain placing a Commercial Monumental Sign on City property, if the businesses presented a proposal to the City; Bettinger seconded. Rainville said that the City is always willing to listen. A mutual agreement between the businesses should be done before the City gives approval to place a sign on its property. She doesn’t disagree that it is not needed. Reighard understands that what Scheffler is asking for is that the City is willing to entertain discussion if the businesses want to submit a proposal to the City, with all the leg work done. Scheffler said that he wanted to open the door to the businesses. If the businesses take it from there, fine. Pilon said that we would be willing to entertain this, if the businesses presented a proposal that included who is paying for it, what it would look like and how it will be maintained in the future. It is reasonable for the City to listen. All in favor; motion carried.

e). Authorization for advanced actions – See Liz’s memo Feb 3, 2015 – Rainville made a motion to give approval for the advanced action on code enforcement matters, as requested by the City Planner on her memo dated February 3, 2015; Reighard seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

8). Road and Bridgea). Excavator/trailer – Road and Bridge Committee requesting consideration –

Rainville made a motion not to move forward with the purchase of an Excavator/trailed; based on the discussion at the workshop and comments from the Maintenance Supervisor that there is not enough staff to operate it. There are also other priorities of equipment that need to be replaced. Scheffler seconded Rainville’s motion. All in favor; motion carried.

9). Consent Agenda: 1.1 Approve the January 13, 2015 Regular Meeting Minutes.1.2 Financial Report 1.3 Approve All Audited Bills Claim # 9273 through Claim # 9314, plus

Net Distribution reports dated January 12th and 26th, 20151.4 Adopt Resolution 2015-06, A Resolution accepting a donation to the

Fire Dept. from Brian Olson1.5 Approve Agreement for Residential Recycling Program


Rainville would like to remove 1.1 and 1.4 for discussion. Pilon removed item 1.3 for discussion.

Bettinger made a motion to approve Consent Agenda items 1.2 and 1.5; Rainville seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

Consent Agenda item 1.1 - Rainville is requesting that the conversation of items K and M from the January 13, 2015 City Council Meeting should be included in the minutes and redistributed. The discussion held on those items was important and she thinks that it is important for the residents to know. She would also like to have the adjournment motion changed, as Bettinger was opposed. Rainville made a motion to table approving the January 13, 2015 Meeting Minutes until the discussion of K and M are added and the adjournment is added. Pilon seconded. Bettinger said that the minutes are done correctly and if we put every little word in the minutes it will take staff additional time to include everything. Rainville said that residents want transparency. She thinks that they can be included in the minutes. Not to be selective on which ones are included or not. Four in favor; Bettinger opposed. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda item 1.4 – Rainville wanted to acknowledge that the City recognizes the donation. Bettinger made a motion to adopt Resolution 2015-06, A Resolution accepting a donation to the Fire Dept. from Brian Olson; Rainville seconded. She also wanted to make sure that the donor gets a letter. All in favor; motion carried.

Consent Agenda item 1.3 - Pilon wants to make sure that when people are talking to the Planner that they are on the clock and being back charged for that time. They should be made aware of that upfront and have an escrow to cover the cost. There was $570 for Zoning Ordinance amendments, in general. He would like clarification from the Council, so they can communicate that clearly with staff. He thinks that it important that it is clear to contracted staff. Bettinger said that at the last council meeting they did give the Planner direction on changing an ordinance. That is Pilon’s point. It needs to be clear and that is why he thinks resolutions are important. Then it is in writing. Pilon’s recommendation is that they direct staff in a form of a Resolution, so it is clear. Rainville said that the Council needs to relay this to the Planner. There appears to be a lot of work done prior to an application being submitted. Some of the leg work should already be done by the property owner and their architect before it comes to the City. Without a contract stating that the City will be billing them for review time, the taxpayers are paying for it.


Rainville stated that some assistance is good, but to provide full concept ideas without an application is irresponsible on our part. We should not be giving things away. Pilon thinks that we need to be clear moving forward.

Scheffler thinks they need to be careful with that. Not all the work from the planner is able to be reimbursed. There are some instances that people are looking for advice, in order to move forward and we don’t want to turn them away unless they give us money. Maybe a certain amount time could be spent before asking for money. It is a service to the residents to have their questions answered. Pilon agrees, but the Planner needs to know this. We need to communicate that to the residents, as to when we start charging and when we don’t.

Rainville made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda item 1.3, Audited Bills; Bettinger seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

10). Council Items:a). Address comments from the December 19th and 29th Meetings – No

motion was made to address the comments.

b). Old Tanker Truck – Keep or submit for bids? – Reighard made a motion to keep the tanker truck for potential future use; Bettinger seconded. Pilon also wanted to note that if we decide to get rid of it in the future, that we keep the tires. All in favor; motion carried.

c). RB’s Computer – Security Upgrades – Rainville made a motion to table the Security Upgrades until the Council receives additional information on actual proposal costs, which include onetime fees and reoccurring fees; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

d). Video Recording of meetings – Reighard stated that he will be checking into compressing files for uploading and downloading. Rainville made a motion to table this matter until they obtain further information; Pilon seconded. Rainville is all in favor of getting the meetings on our website, but with the website limitations, it is the matter of how we are going to do it. Rainville would like to see what other web solutions are available through GovOffice. Pilon thinks that there are resources out there to help us along the way with this. All in favor; motion carried.


e). Mayor’s Office – Potential uses – Bettinger made a motion to have the Council engage in discussion about the use of the basement of the City Hall and add conference rooms. He would like to move forward with converting it so everyone can use it. Scheffler seconded. Rainville wanted to clarify that if there is any work being done, it would not be used for a Mayor’s office? Bettinger said that would need further discussion. They need to draw up the area and see what is down there and what space there is. Bettinger thinks there is a big need for a conference room. Scheffler agrees with Bettinger, he is not saying that it should not be used for the Mayor’s office, but he thinks that it could be used for more than just that.

Pilon thinks that if they can develop proposals into public resolutions, it might be more helpful. The challenge he has is that it is vague in what city funds are going to be expended for. In this case, maybe they can have the building inspector look at something and devise a plan. Maybe there are opportunities for city groups to meet there. The concern Pilon has is the exposure. Laying it out, then heating and cooling it, how much more would have to be done. More clarification needs to be brought out of what they expect and anticipate in expenses would be helpful. While Pilon appreciates that there is room downstairs of the City Hall that could be utilized, he thinks there needs to be clarification on how much the City wants to expend on this. If it could be put in a form of a Resolution of an amount not to exceed x amount for an investigation of opportunities, it might be helpful in giving clear direction to the staff. Right now, it appears to be good intentions, but it is an aspirational statement that does not give clear direction.

Pilon would like to hold out for that type of Resolution that gets more specific and provides the staff with clarity of what the Council is looking for. Rainville agrees with further clarification. She won’t vote for anything that does not have a Mayor’s office. She thinks that it is important that the residents have a location to meet with their Mayor and that it occur on City property.

Bettinger said that he is not asking for the Building Inspector to start remodeling and ripping the walls out. Just to consider a concept of the use of the area. That is the first step. Then the next step would be meeting with the Building Official and tell him what the Council would like to see down there, and then he could work from that.


The Council can get together and discuss what purposes they would like to see and then authorize a certain amount of money to engage the Building Official to come up with some concepts. All in favor of Bettinger’s motion; motion carried.

f). Council Reimbursement Policy – Rainville made a motion to table this until further discussion. Pilon seconded. Rainville thinks that it needs some work. There are a couple of things that need clarification. All in favor; motion carried.

g). Wage Study/employee reviews and raises – Bettinger made a motion to have the wage study released to the Council and the general public; Scheffler seconded. Rainville wonders where it is located. Talk to Ruppe about obtaining a copy from him. Rainville said that before they use it for wages and reviews, make sure it is even relevant as it pertains to job duties and functions before they commit to using it. All in favor; motion carried.

h). Approve Threshing Show Ad – Nowthen Threshing Show Brochure $160 – Rainville made a motion to approve placing an ad in the Threshing Show brochure; Bettinger seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

i). Administrative Policy – Bettinger made a motion to table until the next workshop; Reighard seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

j). Transfer of Road and Bridge Fund Balance – Bettinger made a motion to approve the transfer of $20,659.36 from the Road and Bridge Fund to the Road and Bridge Equipment Fund; Scheffler seconded. Rainville questions the transfer balance. Pilon questions why the need to transfer the funds. He is not comfortable taking the money and locking it up into the capital improvement fund without seeing how this ties into the Capital Improvement Plan. Why would we need to do this unless there is a capital expenditure that we need, outside of our Capital Improvement Plan. This is something that the City generally does at the end of the year. Bettinger said that this is last year’s money. The City did the exact same thing for the Fire Department. He tried to do this back in January. The Road and Bridge Equipment Fund balance isn’t enough to cover the cost of the future equipment. The City is in the need of a pickup right now and soon the tandem will need to be replaced. It will be about $200k to $250k for a new tandem truck fully equipped. We only have about $70k in the equipment fund now.


Anytime we have money that we can save up for equipment, so we don’t have to bond in the future, only makes sense.

Pilon said that these are transfers that are normally done in December, so we would be taking funds that rolled over. If we truly have $20k left over at the end of the year, it should have been discussed during the budgeting. If there is a Capital Improvement Plan that is underfunded, let’s bring that discussion forward and discuss how to fund it. Pilon is not in agreement with taking potential funds for the year and assuming the best. Two in favor; Pilon, Rainville and Reighard opposed. Motion failed.

k). Connectivity Service Agreement – Rainville made a motion to not sign the agreement; Bettinger seconded. Rainville said that we spend $187.50 per month for service that we do not receive. Pilon said that he talked to the Assistant County Attorney and she told him contradicts what we have been told in the past. The attorney told him that the agreement presented before them is simply if we want to keep the hardware in our building, at no cost, if we are not using it. Pilon told her that we have been paying $187.50 a month. She talked to the IT service reps and they were under the assumption that we were using the broadband as our internet service provider. Pilon explained to her that we use Century Link. Pilon said that he and LaDoucer will get together with the County and get this resolved. Pilon said that the agreement is just asking us if we would want the equipment to stay here, at no charge, if we are not using it.

Bettinger asked if they can move the equipment to another room. Pilon doesn’t know that they can do that at this point. Reighard said that in lieu of a refund, have them move the equipment. Pilon said that we can ask, but the people who installed it are no longer in business. Rainville said that the conversation should include that if it is proven that we were not using the equipment and not responsible for paying, we should get our money back.

Rainville said given this new information she withdrew her motion. Bettinger agreed.

Pilon made a motion to work with LaDoucer to get this matter straightened out with the County; Rainville seconded. All in favor; motion carried.


Scheffler doesn’t see that we will get our money back. Pilon said that the County pretty much said no, we would not get money back. Scheffler said that he wants clarification before we do sign the agreement that the City does not have to pay.

Pilon made a motion that if there is no further cost to the City, other than storing then storing the hardware, the City Council agrees to approve the Connectivity Service Agreement; Scheffler seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

l). Approve Ehler’s Continuing Disclosure Services - $750.00 – Rainville made a motion to approve the new contract of Continuing Disclosure Services for an annual amount of $750.00; Reighard seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

m). Concrete Work – Recycling Center Concrete Specs – Rainville made a motion to have staff devise a bid sheet so all contractors have the same information, and bring it back to Council before it goes out for bids; Pilon seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

n). Approve Purchase of Cement Trash Receptacles – Bettinger made a motion to approve the purchase of 6 cement trash receptacles for an amount not to exceed $2,350.68; Reighard seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

11). Introduction of New Items: - LaDoucer stated that the City has a key policy and there are still some keys not returned. Pilon asked that staff bring the key policy to the next workshop.

Bettinger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 pm; Rainville seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

Respectively submitted by:

________________________________ _____________________________Corrie LaDoucer, City Clerk Jeff Pilon, Mayor

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