|
|
|
|
A regular meeting of the Council for the City of Crystal Falls was held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 5:00 P.M. Central Time. Roll Call: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Heikkinen, Bicigo, and Smokevitch. Absent: Councilor Valesano (Resigned effective 09/08/08) Also Present: City Manager Nordeman, City Attorney Lawrence, and City Clerk/Treasurer Olson. Visitors: Jeff Sjoquist, Larry Bicigo, Mary Lahna Mayor Hendrickson led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. A letter of resignation from Councilor Mark Valesano was read by Mayor Hendrickson. Mr. Valesano has resigned due to his appointment to the Office of Iron County Sheriff. Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to accept a letter of resignation from Councilor Mark Valesano, effective 09/08/08. Motion carried. Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Smokevitch moved to designate Councilor Bicigo as the Mayor Pro tem. Motion carried. Mayor Hendrickson asked to remove the payrolls and disbursements from the consent agenda for further discussion. Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved that the items on the Consent Agenda be approved as noted below: The minutes of the regular meeting of August 11, 2008; and Special meetings of August 11, 2008; August 19, 2008; and August 26, 2008 as written. The following reports for the month of August 2008: A. Joint Fire Authority report, as submitted by Fire Chief Ahola, indicating answering four (4) fire calls; spending approximately 32 man-hours fighting fires; and holding one (1) practice and training sessions. B. Police report, as submitted by Police Chief Robert Sherwin, indicating 225 complaints, of which 7 were closed by arrest, and logging of 2,265 miles on patrol duty. C. Electric Department activity report as submitted by David Graff, Chief Electrician. D. Public Works Department activity report as submitted by Foreman Kelly Stankewicz. E. Treasurer’s Revenue Report as submitted by Clerk/Treasurer Dorothea Olson. AT&T Metro Act Right of Way Permit Extension. Ayes: Mayor Hendrickson Councilors Heikkinen, Smokevitch, and Bicigo. Nays:
None Mayor Hendrickson asked questions regarding the disbursements including a delinquent utility payment; the perpetual care CD; the new golf course bathroom; and the UP Engineers and Architect’s billing for the Façade Grant project. Councilor Heikkinen asked about the payment to Manager Nordeman for travel to Marquette for a NMPSA meeting. Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to approve the Payrolls and Disbursements in the amount of $698,134.17 and instruct the City Clerk/Treasurer to draw checks on the City Treasury in payment of same. Motion carried. There were no visitors in attendance who wished to address the City Council (Volney Ponchaud was scheduled but did not appear). Mayor Hendrickson gave a report on the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) meeting held earlier in the day including a report from Ron Ronamker regarding Michigan Backroads.Com which will be further discussed along with the Strategic Plan at a Special meeting of the DDA scheduled for September 22, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to pay MaryAnn Harrington the amount of $60.00 for clerical services to the DDA for July – September 2008. Motion carried. Jeff Sjoquist of Coleman Engineering presented invoices for the water project and noted that this will close out with the construction fees due to Crystal Falls Township. Councilor Bicigo seconded by Councilor Smokevitch moved to approve the Estimate of Funds needed for the water project in the amount of $20,742.27. Motion carried. Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to adopt the following: City of Crystal Falls Excessive Water Use Policy The City of Crystal Falls encourages all water customers to utilize water conservation practices. In the event excessive water use is detected, the water customer will be billed accordingly: Double the minimum allowance of 4500 gal (9000 gal), or double the average monthly use, which ever is higher. A fee for any additional water used will be at the discretion of the water superintendent and billing staff following an investigation into the cause of the excessive use. Motion carried.David Graff entered the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to adopt the following: City of Crystal Falls Frozen Water Policy The City of Crystal Falls will provide thawing services when contacted by a city water customer. These services will be billed and completed according to the following guidelines: PROBLEM IDENTIFIED AS BEING CITY RESPONSIBILITY, BETWEEN MAIN LINE AND CUSTOMER CURB STOP. The address will be scheduled for correction by the City. The customer will be notified by the City when they may start letting water run without being charged for the wasted water. The customer will only be charged for the average of the past three months water use. If thawing is required before authorization is issued, it will be done without charge to the customer as long as it is under the supervision of the City. PROBLEM IDENTIFIED AS BEING CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY, BETWEEN CUSTOMER CURB STOP AND HOUSE. No authorization to waste water at utility expense will be granted and thawing will be billed according to the current fee schedule show below. The customer should follow City recommendations on correcting the problem. RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROBLEM NOT IDENTIFIED. No authorization to waste water at Utility expense will be granted until after the service has frozen and been thawed by the City. Thawing will be billed according to the current fee schedule shown below. Fee Schedule for water line thawing: City Problem: Additional times after water run authorization = $100.00 Customer Problem: Normal working hours 7:00 am to 3:30 pm = $225.00/hour Overtime hours = $300.00/hour Water meters are the property of the City of Crystal Falls, but customers are
responsible for keeping the meter in acceptable operating condition, mainly
prevention of freezing. If a meter freezes, it will be repaired or replaced at
the water customer’s expense. Freeze Plate Replacement: $20.00 freeze plate, $50.00 first hour, $25.00 every other half hour. Replace Frozen Meter: Market cost of meter plus $50.00 first hour, $25.00
every other half hour. Remember, the best way to prevent pipes from freezing is with proper
installation and insulation. Wasting water is at best a bothersome and expensive
temporary solution. Councilor Bicigo seconded by Councilor Smokevitch moved to set the electric rates as recommended by Chief Electrician, Dave Graff effective with the billings mailed to customers on October 31, 2008, and further that the rates will be reviewed as necessary to determine future adjustments in keeping with the WE Energies billings. Motion carried. The electric rates effective with billings mailed to customers on October 31,
2008 are: 1. Residential Rate
2. Commercial Rate Extra Meter: $1.00/month Large Commercial/Industrial Rate Manager Nordeman advised that he has heard nothing from the Grell’s and that he will request that they respond in writing as to what their intentions are regarding their proposed project at the industrial park. Manager Nordeman advised that the Crystal Falls Men’s Golf Club has requested that the City pay for a sand trap rake in the amount of $2,895.00 and the Men’s Club will then reimburse the City. Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Smokevitch moved to authorize Edward Jones as a deferred compensation agent for the City employee’s payroll deductions. Motion carried. The Deputy Clerk/Treasurer appointment will be handled by the City Manager in accordance with the City Charter. Councilor Bicigo seconded by Councilor Smokevitch moved to appoint Charles Nordeman as the designated voting delegate for the City at the annual MML convention in October. Ayes: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Smokevitch and Bicigo. Nays: Councilor Heikkinen Motion carried. Manager Nordeman advised that the purchase/lease of the 2009 cat loader will cost the City $20,223.92/year for 4 years with a 5 year buy back opportunity. Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Bicigo moved to approve the purchase of 2009 International plow truck in the amount of $24,752.43/year for 5 years (4.910%) from Shultz Equipment. Motion carried. Councilor Bicigo seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to purchase a Schmidt Sno-Go snow blower from MacQueen Equipment, Inc., per the Minnesota State Contract, in the amount of $20,466.96/year for 5 years (4.65%). Motion carried. Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Bicigo moved to enter into an "Equipment Placement Agreement" with Alltel Wireless of Michigan for the transfer of City equipment from the old TV tower to the new tower. Motion carried. Manager Nordeman advised the Council that he is revising the wage range scale of the non-union employees from a nine (9) to a five (5) step system. The consensus of the Council was that this would be better and Nordeman promised a draft of the plan between now and October 1st. Manager Nordeman was directed to advertise for a seasonal, part-time employee to be hired for the removal of snow from the sidewalks on Superior Avenue. Mayor Hendrickson presented the Council with her 2008 State of the City Address. (This address is not included in these minutes, however, it is on record in the City Clerk’s office). Mayor Hendrickson requested copies of any notes or minutes that may had been taken at the union negotiation meetings be delivered to all the Councilors. A Special meeting regarding the IBEW contract and City Manager’s evaluation will be set pending the availability of the Councilors. Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to adjourn this meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
|
