SANDSTONE CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

June 1, 2005

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Atterbury called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Members present:            Edmond, Atterbury, Bonander

Members absent:            Gafkjen, Johnson

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

Other present:               Tim Franklin, Geoff Hilty

Council recessed for workshop at the water treatment plant. 

Johnson joined the others at the plant.

Dave Barnick, PeopleService, provided the Council members with a tour of the water treatment plant at Robinson Park.  He pointed out various aspects of the building, equipment and operations of which the Council would need to be aware in order to make decisions regarding future water needs of the City.

The Council reconvened at City Hall at 7:04 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Staff and members present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA

Motion Johnson, second Edmond to approve the agenda with the addition of 9C - Resolution 2005-10 – Accept Lions Club donation of $10,080 for golf course equipment and the deletion of 5 – Special item of Business:  Dave Barsness report and 11C – Sidewalk project.  Motion carried 4-0.

SPECIAL ITEMS OF BUSINESS

There were none.

PRESENTATION OF AWARDS, PETITIONS OR COMPLAINTS

Atterbury mentioned a number of yards which need mowing and some addresses where trash needs to be disposed of.  Griffith responded that letters have been sent out.  Atterbury also updated the Council on the status of the Sandstone Street Fair.  A minimal number of vendors have participated and he is looking to interest more.  He also commented on the visit with the seniors at the Wild River Building and conveyed their request that separated recycling materials be delivered to the recycling sheds instead of being combined back with the rest of the garbage.  Griffith will direct staff to develop a plan.  Johnson thanked the Legion for the memorable ceremony on Memorial Day.  Bonander suggested that the ditch on the west side of the cemetery be included on the list of drainage projects to be completed in the near future.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

Motion Bonander, second Johnson to approve regular meeting minutes for May 18, 2005.  Motion carried 4-0.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

There were none.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion Johnson, second Bonander to approve the consent agenda as follows:  Hand checks; Hire Joseph Smalley for cemetery ground crew replacing John Taylor and pass Resolution 2005-10, resolution acknowledging the donation from Sandstone Lions Club.  Motion carried 4-0.

FINANCE OFFICER’S REPORT

Claims

Motion Johnson, second Bonander to approve and pay claims in the amount of $29,085.83.  Motion carried 4-0.

OLD & CONTINUING BUSINESS

Moseng land sale

After determining that there was no future public need for a particular piece of property, and after having the property appraised, the City offered the parcel for sale to Daryle and Darlene Moseng in response to their request.  The Mosengs have not accepted the offer or put forth a counter offer as of yet. 

Motion Johnson, second Bonander to defer taking action on the Moseng land sale until a counter offer is received.  Motion carried 4-0.

No Parking discussion

In response to resident concerns regarding parking issues around the Hospital and visibility issues on Main Street at Highway 123, the Council had adopted an ordinance which allows the City to create no parking zones by resolution.  Input from affected property owners was sought.  Three calls to City Hall indicated that parking on Division and on Court can be a problem, disrupting mail service.  The Post Office is encouraging residents to use group mailboxes to be located at the ends of the blocks to ensure uninhibited mail delivery.

Several options were suggested regarding the issue of visibility at Main and 123.  These included parallel parking, a three-way stop, and warning signs regarding reduced visibility.  The Council directed Staff to further explore these options with MNDOT.

NEW BUSINESS

West Side Water Main extension Feasibility Study

The Council directed S.E.H. to undertake a feasibility study to determine the costs of extending a water main west from First Street under the tracks and Highway 23 to an extension of Lundorff Drive and then south to Highway 23/123.  S.E.H. has provided the Council with a proposal for this study.  The Council has had an ongoing discussion regarding the implementation of utility area fees as a means of paying for these improvements.  The City will need additional survey work if and when the project proceeds.  Staff is suggesting that the City invite the Free Church to participate in an expanded feasibility study including the location of street and sanitary line for their proposed development.  The Council deferred taking action until additional discussion takes place.

Sewer pond expansion

To accommodate the FCI expansion, the City is expanding its sewer ponds.  The FCI is financing the project.  Plans and specifications prepared by S.E.H. have been submitted for MPCA review. 

Motion Johnson, second Bonander to approve the plans and specifications for this project, to authorize S.E.H. to proceed with the bid process, to set the bid opening for the project for July 6, 2005 and to set a special meeting, if necessary, to review bids and award the construction contract.  Motion carried 4-0.

Signage

Lee Greenley has requested that the City lease or sell him the City sign at the intersection of Highway 123 and Old Military Road.  City signage ordinance does not allow off-site advertising.  The Planning Commission considered this issue and was not been able to come to a consensus.  Stadin suggested that the Council distinguish between advertising and informational, directional signage as the City should support and encourage local businesses, not hinder their ability to do business.

The Council directed Staff to discuss changing the sign ordinance with the City Attorney to allow for off-site directional signage.

REPORTS

Motion Johnson, second Bonander to accept the reports as follows:  Summary of paid claims; Public Works report, Golf operations report. Motion carried 4-0.

WRITTEN NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS

The City has received a memorandum and information regarding the possible Aquila sale of its natural gas business.  The City has also received a lengthy letter of complaints regarding feral cats and storm water drainage.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Griffith reminded the Council and public of Spring Clean Up on June 11.  He also mentioned the following:  creosote plant site clean up at Charlie Slama’s has started, Logas Septic has lost its unloading privileges for unloading without permission, he will be on vacation the week of June 20, and the Robinson Park clean-up was well-attended.

ADJOURN

Motion Johnson, second Bonander to adjourn at 7:54 p.m.

                                                                        ____________________________________

                                                                        Randy Atterbury

                                                                        Mayor

Attest:

_____________________________________

Donna Hormillosa

Recording Secretary