SANDSTONE CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

March 2, 2005

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Atterbury called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Members present: Johnson, Keller, Atterbury, Gafkjen, Bonander

Members absent: none

Staff present: Administrator Griffith, Recording Secretary Hormillosa, Spartz, CATV

Other present: Taylor Connell, Chandler Connell, Ken Connell, Shannon Connell, Aaron Johnson, Jenny Mansavage, Judy Britton, Sheriff Mark Mansavage, Deputy Tim Johnson

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Atterbury introduced Taylor Connell, East Central student, who led Staff and members present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA

Motion Gafkjen, second Bonander to approve the agenda with the deletion of 11B – Consider approval of tax abatement policy and addition of 12D – Flea Market. Motion carried 5-0.

SPECIAL ITEMS OF BUSINESS

Sheriff Mansavage

Sheriff Mansavage appeared before the Council to provide an update on current policing issues. He also introduced Tim Johnson, the deputy assigned to Sandstone coverage. Mansavage distributed copies of the call log for the month of February. There were more calls than the previous month and much of that activity involves or is perceived to involve juveniles. A significant number of the open juvenile cases in Pine County involve Sandstone youth and a higher than normal percentage of those are on intensive probation. This is not necessarily related to the CLC. He stressed that policing priorities are in place and that “targeting” is not permitted.

He highlighted the benefits of a neighborhood watch and reminded interested individuals that the first meeting will be on Monday, 7 pm, at City Hall. The methamphetamine problem in rural Minnesota has recently made national news. This is reflected in the fact that 80% of those incarcerated in Pine County are there on meth-related charges. He explained the dispatching procedures and stated that Sandstone is in an advantageous position in that a deputy is always at the north sub-station.

Questions by the Council members and public involved issues of parental notification for a juvenile contact, bar closing issues and compliance checks, and funding issues.

Public Works projects for 2005

The Council reviewed a proposed list of 2005 Capital projects. They also discussed possible Old Military Road improvements. Griffith reminded the public that there is a public hearing scheduled for March 16^th regarding the Sidewalk Improvement project. Letters went out to affected property owners inviting their input.

PRESENTATION OF AWARDS, PETITIONS OR COMPLAINTS

Edmond requested that the Council consider implementing some standing rules in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order which would protect a citizen’s right to speak and ensure the ability of the Council to freely conduct Council business with a degree of decorum.

Johnson questioned some of the “standing rules” suggested by Edmond and was concerned that it would limit public input. Gafkjen also expressed concern that the public input not be too restricted. Bonander suggested that some interjections from the public were inappropriate and were an attempt to influence policy decisions.

The Council agreed to add this item to the agenda for the next meeting to allow for further discussion.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

Motion Gafkjen, second Johnson to approve regular meeting minutes for February 16, 2005. Motion carried 5-0.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

There were none.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion Gafkjen, second Bonander to approve the consent agenda as follows: Hand checks; Approve gambling permit – Sportsmen Club – May; Approve gambling permit – Sportsmen Club – November. Motion carried 5-0.

FINANCE OFFICER’S REPORT

Claims

Motion Gafkjen, second Johnson to approve and pay claims in the amount of $30,687.92. Motion carried 5-0.

OLD & CONTINUING BUSINESS

Stop Sign – 6^th & Park

A resident had previously petitioned the Council to consider installing a stop sign at the intersection of 6^th & Park. The Council requested a recommendation from Chuck Vork, Public Works. He provided one: that stop signs be added on 6^th Street at Park, going both ways.

Motion Atterbury, second Johnson to accept the recommendation of Chuck Vork, Public Works, and order the installation of stop signs at 6^th Street at Park, going both ways. Motion carried 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS

Stop sign removal

The Council had previously requested a recommendation from Chuck Vork regarding the possible removal of some of the stop signs in the City now that the school has relocated. Chuck provided a recommendation of those which could be removed.

Motion Gafkjen, second Johnson to accept the recommendation of Chuck Vork, Public Works, and order the removal of the follows stop signs:

6^th Street at Angle – remove on 6^th, leave on Angle

7^th Street at Court – remove on 7^th, leave on Court

5^th Street & Court – remove on 5^th, leave on Court

Court & Division – remove on Division, leave on Court

Motion carried 5-0.

Charging for fire calls

The legislature gives cities authority to impose fees for emergency services, but it requires the City to adopt an ordinance authorizing the amount and manner of charging for those services.

Motion Johnson, second Bonander to adopt Ordinance 2005-01, an ordinance establishing fees for emergency and fire protection services. Motion carried 5-0.

ORDINANCE NO. 2005 – 01

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING FEES

FOR EMERGENCY AND FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANDSTONE, MINNESOTA DOES ORDAIN:

SECTION ONE: PURPOSES AND INTENT

This ordinance is adopted for the purpose of authorizing the City of Sandstone to charge for fire and emergency service as authorized by Minn. Stat. §§ 366.011, 366.012, and 415.01.

SECTION TWO: DEFINITIONS

(A) “Fire service” means any deployment of fire fighting personnel or equipment or both to extinguish a fire or perform any preventative measure in an effort to protect equipment, life, or property in an area threatened by fire. The term also includes the deployment of fire fighting personnel and/or equipment to provide fire suppression, rescue, extrication, and any other services related to fire and rescue as may occur.

(B) “Fire service charge” means the charge imposed by the City for receiving fire service.

(C) “Motor vehicle” means any self-propelled vehicle designed and originally manufactured to operate primarily upon public roads and highways, and not operated exclusively upon railroad tracks. The term includes semi trailers: it does not include snowmobiles, manufactured homes, all terrain vehicles, or park trailers.

(D) “Mutual aid agreement” means an agreement between the City and a town or other city for the City’s fire department to provide assistance to the fire department of a town or other city.

SECTION THREE: PARTIES AFFECTED

(A) Owners of property within the City who receive fire service.

(B) Anyone who receives fire service as a result of a motor vehicle accident or fire within or without the City.

(C) Owners of property in towns to which the City provides fire service within or without the City, pursuant to a fire protection contract.

SECTION FOUR: RATES

(A) Fire Call - $500 minimum one hour

(B) - $250 @ additional hour or fraction thereof

(D) Motor Vehicle - $ 350

(E) All chemicals and other special extinguishing agents and disposable

equipment used is billed at cost

City will annually review these rates and place these rates and any changes or additions to these rates in the City’s annual Fee Schedule adopted by resolution at the City’s annual organizational meeting.

SECTION FIVE: BILLING AND COLLECTION

(A) Parties requesting and receiving fire services may be billed directly by the City. Additionally, if the party receiving fire services did not request services but a fire or other situation exists which, at the discretion of the fire department personnel in charge requires fire service, the party will be charged and billed. All parties will be billed whether or not the fire service is covered by insurance. Any billable amount of the fire charge not covered by a party’s insurance remains a debt of the party receiving the fire service.

(B) Parties billed for fire service will have 30 days to pay. If the fire service charge is not paid by that time, it will be considered delinquent and the City will send a notice of delinquency.

(C) If the fire service charge remains unpaid for 30 days after the notice of delinquency is sent, the City will use all practical and reasonable legal means to collect the fire service charge. The party receiving fire service will be liable for all collection costs incurred by the City including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney fees and court costs.

(D) If the fire service charge remains unpaid for 30 days after the notice of delinquency is sent, the City Council may also, on or before October 15 of each year, certify the unpaid fire service charge to the county auditor for collection with property taxes. The City must give the property owner notice of its intent to certify the unpaid fire service charge by September 15.

(E) False alarms will be billed as a fire call after the third such alarm within any twelve month period.

SECTION SIX: MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT

When the City fire department provides fire service to another fire department pursuant to a Mutual Aid Agreement, the billing will be determined by the Mutual Aid Agreement.

SECTION SEVEN: APPLICATION OF COLLECTIONS TO BUDGET

All collected fire charges will be city funds and used to offset the expenses of the City fire department in providing fire services.

SECTION EIGHT: EFFECTIVE DATE

The ordinance shall become effective upon publication.

Passed by the Council this 2^nd day of March 2005.

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Mayor

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City Clerk - Administrator

National Incident Management System

Homeland Security is requiring various entities to adopt and implement NIMS to ensure that all entities can work together effectively. Failure to do so would preclude the City from receiving many federal grants and loans. Part of the compliance process is training which must be completed by July 31^st.

Motion Gafkjen, second Johnson to adopt Resolution 2005-08, resolution adopting the National Incident Management System. Motion carried 5-0.

Flea Market

Atterbury has suggested the possible creation of a flea market/farmer’s market. Griffith provided the Council with a number of issues to discuss. No action taken at this time.

REPORTS

Motion Gafkjen, second Bonander to accept the reports as follows: Summary of paid claims. Motion carried 5-0.

WRITTEN NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS

There were none.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Griffith reminded the Council and public of an open house to be held Wednesday, March 23, 6-8 p.m. at City Hall. Two Council members will be present to meet with the public for questions and concerns.

He also informed the Council that the neighborhood watch is forming with the first meeting on Monday, that there is still a need for skate park booster club members, that the second meeting in April will begin with a 6 p.m. workshop with the Fire Department, he related some of the current legislative activity, that he will be on vacation the week of March 21^st, that Representative Hilty will be in Hinckley at the community room on Wednesday, March 9^th at 7 p.m., and of the City Day at the Capital on March 31^st.

ADJOURN

Motion Johnson, second Gafkjen to adjourn at 8:57 p.m.

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Randy Atterbury

Mayor

Attest:

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Donna Hormillosa

Recording Secretary