October 13, 2009
Regular Session        

            Pursuant to notice and call the Waverly City Council met at 7:00 p.m. in regular session on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 in the council chambers of Waverly City Hall.  Those in attendance were Clerk Deb Ryks, and Council Members: Gary Olson, Keith Harris, Connie Holmes, and John Konrath.  Mayor Ken Antil arrived at 7:10 p.m.  Acting Mayor Gary Olson chaired the meeting until Mayor Ken Antil arrived.  

Agenda

            The following items were added to the agenda:  21. e. Notary Public-Chris Kittock, 21 f.  Schedule for advertising Maintenance job position.

            Motion by Harris, seconded by Holmes to adopt the agenda with the proposed additions.  Carried 4-0. 

Paul Reardon

            Paul Reardon was present at the meeting to request permission from the council to shoot a cannon in Railroad Park as part of wedding festivities on October 24, 2009. Harold Reardon will be present for the firing of the cannon.   Paul Reardon and Coleen Waight will fire the cannon. 

            The Council approved the request as submitted by Paul Reardon. 

            Paul Reardon thanked the council for their support.

Melissa Morris, Chamber of Commerce

            Melissa Morris, Montrose-Waverly Chamber of Commerce was present at the meeting to inform the council that a Craft & Community Fair is being planned to take place on May 1, 2010.  This will be a Chamber hosted event.  The committee is requesting to use Railroad Park and the Village Hall for a variety of events in conjunction with the Community fair.  This event will replace the annual community expo hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.  The Lions Clubs, fire departments, Boys and Girls scout clubs are being encouraged to participate.  A Pet parade and shot clinic is being planned with local veterinarians to participate in the shot clinic. 

            Motion by Konrath, seconded by  Harris to allow the use of Railroad Park for the community event on May 1, 2010.  Carried 5-0. 

            It was suggested that Melissa Morris contact Fire Chief Roger Karels regarding the community event.  It was also suggested that she contact the school districts and invite them to participate in the event.  Morris will attend the April council meeting to give an update on the event coordination. 

School District 2687, Al Doering

            School Board Member Al Doering was present at the meeting to give information on the upcoming operating levy referendum.  There will be three questions on the schoold district ballot on November 3. 

            Question one, if successful would replace the $500 current levy with a new $500 levy.  Passage of this question would reduce taxes by $2 due to population growth.

            Question two, if successful would include inflation on the $500 levy which is calculated lower than the consumer price index and has averaged at the rate of 1.095% over the last five years.  This question can only pass if question one passes.            Question three, if successful would rescind the current $50 levy and replace it with a $150 levy.  The $150 levy is needed due to the unsuccessful $101 operating levy referendum.  The $150 levy would expire in five years. If the $500 levy does not pass this year, cuts will be made in the amount of $400,000.  The School District would have the option of asking the voters to approve the levy next year.  If the levy referendum does not pass, many programs would be cut with only the basics of education being preserved.             The School District increased its student population by 30.  Open enrollment causes a loss of 300 students at $6,000 per student.  Elective and college preparation courses are offered in the school district.  The electives would need to be dropped if the levy does not pass.  The district has made constant reductions over the last eight years.              The State of Minnesota is holding back school revenues due to the state budget deficit.  State and Federal governments are adding mandates without funding them.  Doering is pleading with residents of the community to support the public education system.  The School board does not control expenses/revenues due to state/federal requirements.  Title I funding has decreased from 100% funding to 40% funding by the State. 

            There will be a town meeting on October 29, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at HLWW High School. 

            It was noted that two month cash reserves are recommended.  Approval of  the proposed levy will not meet the requirement. 

Wright County Sheriff’s Department

            Deputy Kevin Triplett was present at the meeting to give the Wright County Sheriff’s report.  He was advised of more vandalism problems at Legion Park.  The Sheriff’s Department is investigating the vandalism report.  

            It was noted that parking restrictions for the winter season go into effect on November 1.

Waverly Fire Department

         Keith Harris reported that there were three additional probationary members added to the department this month.  There are currently 23 members of the Waverly Fire Department.  The membership goal is 28 members.  

Building Inspection Report

            There were six miscellaneous building permits issued last month.  Reinstated permits have been issued for all of the unfinished homes in Carrigan Meadows.

MLS Report-Wanda Tussing

            Manager Wanda Tussing reported that there was a $1403.17 profit for the month of September.  The security surveillance system was paid for from the operating account and not transferred from the savings account.  Chase Communications was paid in full.

            An Oktoberfest event is planned for October 24.  A heated tent, food, and german beer and wine will be provided.  There is interest in making the Oktoberfest a community event in the future.

Requests from the public

            There were no requests from the public.

Park Commission

         There has been no activity or meetings held of the Park Commission.

Planning Commission-Connie Holmes

            The September 17, 2009 minutes were reviewed.

            Mary Johnson will accept the member appointment with a term expiration date of December 31, 2009. 

            Motion by Holmes, seconded by Olson to appoint Mary Johnson to the Planning Commission with a membership term expiration date of December 31, 2009.  Carried 5-0.

            A minor subdivision request was submitted by Ralph Douglas and Michelle Dahl for the homestead of the Don Douglas estate.  The proposed  lot split of 4 acres is needed to sell the acreage and house to Michelle Dahl.  The Dahls plan on refurbishing the existing house.  Motion by Holmes, seconded by Konrath to approve the lot split as proposed.  Carried 5-0.

EDA-Connie Holmes

            The September 28, 2009 minutes were reviewed.

            The Business Directory project is commencing with business ads being discussed.  Publication of the directory is planned for late November 2009.

            The Comprehensive Plan draft is complete.  A public hearing is proposed for scheduling on November 19, 2009 in conjunction with the Planning Commission meeting.  Once the council adopts the plan, it will be sent to surrounding territories for comment.  A 30 day comment period is required.   The comprehensive plan project should be finalized in January. 

            Dexter Andrews is resigning from the EDA due to relocation to Delano.  Recognition by the council is suggested at the November meeting.       

Maintenance Department-John Rassat

            Due to problems with reception and receiving voice mail messages on the Nextel/Sprint cell phones, Rassat received quotes from Verizon and T -Mobile for similar calling plans.  T-Mobile offered a 1000 minute plan for $89 per month.  The same plan with Nextel/Sprint is $102 per month.  The Maintenance staff has been experiencing poor calling service coverage with Nextel/Sprint.  Maintenance Supervisor Rassat explained that the staff is in need of reliable coverage for emergency contact. 

            The Nextel/Sprint account is under a Government contract with a month to month contract period.  The council members suggested that a maintenance contract/insurance is needed on the Maintenance Department cell phones to cover damage and replacement.  The Nextel/Sprint representative asked the city to give the program one additional month in which different alternatives may be attempted to improve the service.  The council was opposed to giving any more time to the Nextel/Sprint phone system.  The council asked Rassat to establish an account with T-Mobile for the maintenance department cell phones and to request a month to month contract.  The council stated that since T- Mobile is a customer of the city since their antenna is erected on the city water tower and that coverage is excellent within the Waverly city limits, that the city form a contract with them.

            Maintenance Supervisor Rassat reported that some complaints were received regarding violations of the street parking ordinance. Rassat spoke to some of the violators and instructed them to move their vehicles.  He also informed them that winter parking restrictions become effective on November 1, 2009.

            Rassat reported that there has been a recall on city fire hydrants.  The company is doing all of the repair and maintenance at no charge due to the recall.

            It was reported that a chicken is being kept at an address in the Summerfields development.  Rassat will visit the property and advise the homeowners that one chicken is allowed according to city ordinance.

City Engineer’s Report

            City Engineer Barry Glienke reported that he has been attempting to encourage the developer of Summerfields to complete the punch list and finish work on documented problems with tile/sinkholes.

            The matter of the sinkholes/tile problems caused engineering invoices to be generated this month. 

            Arcon Development is obtaining prices to finish the final street work in the Carrigan Meadows development.

City Attorney

            Rhonda Pagel is leaving the Young & Brown law firm.  A letter was received from Rhonda Pagel and Tim Young regarding the establishment of the Pagel Law Firm and Pagel’s departure from Young & Brown.  Tim Young encouraged the city to continue to retain Rhonda Pagel as she has done the city work for a number of years.

            There was discussion by the council regarding hourly rate changes, and the issue of representation of a single attorney versus an attorney with a number of associates.

            Motion by Olson, seconded by Harris to retain Rhonda Pagel’s firm as the City Attorney.  Carried 5-0.  Clerk Ryks will verify the hourly rates with Rhonda Pagel and submit the findings to the council.

Minutes

            The minutes of the September 8, 2009 Regular Session were presented for approval.

             Motion by Holmes, seconded by Harris to adopt the September 8, 2009 Regular Session minutes as presented.  Carried 5-0.

Accounts Payable

            The accounts payable was presented in the amount of $56,866.90. 

            Motion by Holmes, seconded by Olson to approve the accounts payable in the amount of $56,866.90.  Carried 5-0.

Welcome Packets

            There are 18 welcome packets to deliver from the new population of residents over the last few months.  All of the newcomers are located in the south development area of the city.

Utility Assessments

             A public hearing was scheduled for 7:15 p.m. on November 10, 2009 to consider proposed assessment of unpaid utility accounts to the tax rolls prior to November 30, 2009.  The proposed amount decreased from $85,000 to $31,000 since Clerk Ryks began compiling the assessment listing.  This is due to successful collection of past due utilities with disconnect notices that were generated for all accounts with a 90 day delinquency status.

Wright County Speed Zone Study

            Resolution 09-10 was presented for approval to initiate a speed zoning study on CSAH 8.  Wright County supported the request for a speed zone study and will submit it to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.  There has been a number of accidents on CSAH 8, north of highway 12 and there is a new residential population adjacent to CSAH 8 in a southerly direction since a previous speed zone study was accomplished.

            Motion by Harris, seconded by Holmes to adopt Resolution 09-10 as presented. Carried 5-0.

            City Engineer Glienke informed the council that the results of a speed zone study may not be favorable due to the average vehicle speeds being used and it is possible the study could result in a higher speed limit.

Little Crow Transit Way

            State Representative Dean Urdahl submitted a resolution for the council to consider to support further study of the highway 12 corridor for a future commuter rail system known as the Little Crow Transit Way from Minneapolis to Willmar. 

            Resolution 09-10-1 was presented for consideration by the council.  The resolution is providing support to the study of the Little Crow Transit project.

            Motion by Holmes, seconded by Harris to adopt Resolution 09-10-1 as presented  Carried 5-0.

Clerk’s Office Panic Button System

            Chase Communications provided a quotation for the installation of a panic button for city offices.  This would provide security for office staff in the case of an incident that would require emergency assistance.

            The council requested that Clerk Ryks obtain a price for an additional button for the Clerk’s Office so both employees would have immediate access to the emergency call system. 

            This item was authorized to be expended for the City Clerk’s budget.

Notary Public

            Clerk Ryks asked the council to consider the application of Office Assistant Chris Kittock for a Notary Public. This would provide an additional notary public in the city office and would assist with the notarization of documents signed by the Mayor and Clerk.

Office Assistant-Signatory at the Bank

            The council asked Clerk Ryks to check with the auditing firm regarding the addition of Chris Kittock as a signatory at the bank for city accounts.  This will assist the city in processing payments in situations where one signatory is absent.  The city requires two signatures on expense/payroll checks.  Chris Kittock would only sign checks if the Clerk or Mayor/Acting Mayor is unavailable.  It is the city’s practice to have the Mayor and Clerk sign checks on a regular basis.

Maintenance Job Position

            The council agreed to advertise the position on Dec 1, 2009.  The proposed starting date for a new maintenance employee is February 15, 2010.  This time frame would allow ample time for staff to review applications and for council interviews. 

Old Business

            Maintenance Supervisor John Rassat reported that the 4^th Street Railroad crossing will be repaired this Friday.  New timbers will be installed to provide a smoother surface at the crossing.  Former Wright County Commissioner Dick Mattson requested the repair be done by Burlington Northern on prompting from a Waverly resident.  The Waverly Fire Department will be notified as the crossing will be closed for a one day period.  Rassat will notify the Sheriff’s dispatch for ambulance routing.

Acknowledgements/Recognition

            Mayor Ken Antil acknowledged Waverly Liquor Manager Wanda Tussing for her diligent work at the Waverly Municipal Liquor Store as well as special event planning and promotions. 

Adjournment,

            Motion by Olson, seconded by Harris to adjourn the meeting at 8:44 p.m.  Carried 5-0.

Deborah Ryks, Clerk                                 Ken Antil, Mayor