October 27, 2009

The regular meeting of the Staples City Council was called to order by Mayor Etzler at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at the Staples Government Center. Present were Mayor Etzler, City Council Members Carlson, Einerwold, Flaten, Miles, Quance and Schmieg. Also present were City Administrator Mathews, City Clerk Lindaman, Public Works Director Klein, Community Development Director Nelsen, Parks and Recreation Director Grondahl and other interested persons.

It was moved by Carlson and seconded by Quance to approve the agenda as presented. Carlson, Einerwold, Etzler, Flaten, Miles, Quance and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

It was moved by Quance and seconded by Miles to approve the consent calendar items consisting of the minutes from the previous meeting and payment of the bills presented. Carlson, Einerwold, Etzler, Flaten, Miles, Quance and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

It was moved by Schmieg and seconded by Quance to introduce Resolution No. 1483 authorizing the Mayor and City Administrator to execute a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for reimbursement of airport maintenance and operation costs for the period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2011. Carlson, Einerwold, Etzler, Flaten, Miles, Quance and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

It was moved by Miles and seconded by Quance to appoint Kevin Grondahl to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Staples Board of Commissioners until November 2014. Carlson, Einerwold, Etzler, Flaten, Miles, Quance and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

Parks and Recreation Director Grondahl reported on a grant application to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources requesting funding to assist with the construction of 1.5 miles of paved trail for the City of Staples Area Trail System (Phase 1 - Legacy Trail). It was moved by Quance and seconded by Flaten to introduce Resolution No. 1484 agreeing to accept a grant if awarded and authorizing an agreement with the State of Minnesota for the proposed project. Carlson, Einerwold, Etzler, Flaten, Miles, Quance and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

It was moved by Carlson and seconded by Schmieg to grant the following requests for permission to conduct raffles:

Central Lakes College Foundation on February 17, 2010

Knights of Columbus Council #1803 on December 31, 2009

Staples Wrestling Club on December 5, 2009

Carlson, Einerwold, Etzler, Flaten, Quance and Schmieg voted yes. Miles voted no. Carried.

City Administrator Mathews reported that a petition to amend the City Charter has been received. The petition is being reviewed by the City Attorney who will be providing the City Council with a legal opinion.

Council Member Flaten reviewed the minutes of the October 19, 2009 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Upon the recommendation of the Commission, it was moved by Flaten and seconded by Carlson to approve a Conditional Use Permit for Staple Food Corporation to install gasoline/fuel pumps at 1350 U.S. Highway 10 East as part of the Ernie's Supermarket development since all zoning and land use regulations are complied with. Carlson Einerwold, Etzler, Flaten, Miles, Quance and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

Public Works Director Klein reviewed the minutes of the October 5, 2009 Public Works Commission meeting including a recommendation to enter into a maintenance agreement with Wadena County to plow snow and maintain Airport Road from 4th Street NE to CSAH 2. Mr. Klein reported that the maintenance agreement was a verbal request from Wadena County at the time of the Commission meeting. Subsequent to the meeting, a formal written agreement was received which contains additional maintenance items not discussed by the Commission. Mr. Klein recommended that the agreement be referred back to the Commission for further review. It was moved by Carlson and seconded by Schmieg to refer the agreement back to the Commission. Carlson, Einerwold, Etzler, Flaten, Miles, Quance and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried

City Administrator Mathews updated the Council on various projects and activities.

Council Member Quance suggested that consideration be given to contracting with Lakewood Health System for grant writing services. Council Member Quance also noted possible grant opportunities for solar energy and wind power projects.

Council Member Einerwold suggested that enhancements to the Dower Lake Campground be pursued.

It was moved by Quance and seconded by Schmieg to recess the meeting at 7:44 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on November 5, 2009 at the Staples Government Center to canvas the results of the City Election and to consider the petition to amend the City Charter. Carlson, Einerwold, Etzler, Flaten, Miles, Quance and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

Approved: Chris Etzler, Mayor

Attest: Phil Lindaman, City Clerk

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