Missing council members and a tabled agenda item were concerns voiced during the public forum portion of the last regular Motley City Council meeting held Friday, March 13.

Originally set for March 10, the meeting had been rescheduled due to the Tuesday snowstorm.

The council discussed and took action on a variety of issues during the twohour meeting, but much of the evening's discussion focused on an item that was pushed to the back burner.

Because council members Nancy Nieken and Rena Underhill were not present, fellow council person Duane Solga asked that an item he had added to the agenda be tabled.

The item, concerning a

restructuring of the city's

police department, was "too important," Solga

said, to not have all council members present.

Solga's proposal?

o Cut the police department budget to around $70,000 a year.

o Cut the leased car.

o Use the existing Crown Vic and purchase a used Tahoe patrol car. Rotate use, with approx. 350 miles per week combined use on car/ cars or 18,000 miles per year.

o No more out of town assist calls unless there's an extreme reason. Solga noted that if calls are out of town, it is the county sheriff's responsibility.

o Purchase a speed radar control sign.

o Department has one paid salary position; and this person must live within so many minutes (to be determined) of city hall for a response time.

o Officer will upon discretion patrol town streets; and officer will stop in on local businesses and have self visible for public as city sees fit.

Motley resident and former council person Steve

Johnson said, during the

public forum, that he was "concerned about the quick

tabling" of this agenda item; and noted that nothing else during the meeting had been tabled.

Although Solga had mentioned that both Nieken and Underhill were sick, Johnson said that he had spoken with Underhill earlier that day and that she was "not sick at all. She's just stressed out with what's happening."

Carmen Hehl and Ginger Olson, both Motley residents, also expressed their concern that Solga's proposal had been tabled.

Hehl mentioned (using colorful language) that she believed Solga was afraid to have this particular item voted on because he needed (she assumed) the support of both Nieken and Underhill.

Solga's proposal, to reduce the city's police protection, was upsetting to both Hehl and Olson.

Hehl commented that she has lived in Motley for 30 years and has seen problems with drugs and traffic increase dramatically. "We now have a system that works. Why do you want to destroy something that works?" she asked Solga.

Olson believes cuts to the police department will result in more homes and businesses being broken into.

"I agree to disagree with you," Solga said, adding that he believes if someone is going to break into his business or anyone else's, they'll do it one way or another.

Motley isn't big enough, Solga said, to need so many police officers. He would rather see money go toward improving city streets.

The 2009 budget for police protection is around $190,000, which includes the salaries of three police officers.

Chief Brian Madison is a full-time employee, as is police officer Amy Mattison. Police Officer Mitch Tavares works part-time.

Prior to the public forum,

Police Chief Madison

reported to the council that, "We've been busy, things

are picking up. Speeds are faster and traffic is picking up, too." Madison also mentioned that the Motley Police Dept. had helped with a serious situation that week which involved the BCA, DEA and the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force.

When the council was given the opportunity to bring forth other concerns, Mayor Konrad Alexander said, "We have a dysfunctional council because people are not showing up."

Council member Rob Sampson agreed, mentioning that it is an inconvenience when council members are missing. "I consider it an honor and a privilege to be here and work for the city," he said, adding that he has only missed one meeting during his two-plus years of service.

Sampson also said he wanted to stress that all issues pertaining to the city need to be discussed at council meetings. "We can't have side meetings going on."

City Clerk/Treasurer Terri Smith reminded the public that the council works for them. "Anyone can approach them with these questions," she said.

In other matters the council:

o APPROVED having the city's engineering firm, Widseth, Smith and Nolting, begin working on Phase II (the design portion) of the wastewater treatment facility project. That portion is estimated to cost about $90,000.

o APPROVED, effective immediately, the proposal of building inspector David Barsody, with Inspection Services of Central Minnesota, Inc. His company's fees are 70 percent of the building permit and 100 percent of the plan review fee; and their suggested fixed fee permit rate is $35.

o APPROVED, per request of the American Legion, having Minnesota Power put a second meter in Veteran's Park in Motley for the flag pole light, which will be the responsibility of the American Legion.

o ACCEPTED the FEMA Grant, in the sum of $101,750, awarded to the Motley Fire Department. As part of the grant agreement, the City of Motley agrees to pay five percent of the cost of the equipment.

o REVIEWED the Fire Department's February monthly report as presented by Fire Chief Troy Davis, which included a total of 22 calls.

o HEARD from Smith that the budget committee had recently met and looked at ways to reduce spending. By making cuts in various departments, a potential $40,054 could be saved. Sampson noted that this meeting had come about following an approximately $25,000 loss in LGA (Local Government Aid) for 2009.

o HEARD monthly report from Utilities Supervisor Wayne Barros. Barros said that the pond system was working better than it had the previous month; but the city was still given four violations from the MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency) for exceeding effluent limits.

Barros also gave the council an update on options for a sewer maintenance program, options which include either purchasing or renting a video inspection system.

Barros said he feels that purchasing a camera would be the way to go (it would be cheaper), even though rental cameras are usually better quality.

Sampson, who said he believes that investing in something like this is preventative maintenance, reminded the council that the money for the camera would come from the sewer fund, not the levy.

Solga encouraged Barros to go with the option he felt most comfortable with, not necessarily making his decision based on price. "I'm just saying, you get what you pay for sometimes," Solga said.

o TENTATIVELY SET the city's "Clean up Day" for Saturday, May 16, with an alternative date as Saturday, May 30.

o SET next regular council meeting for Tuesday, March 24, at 7 p.m.