February 23, 2010

The regular meeting of the Staples City Council was called to order by Mayor Etzler at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at City Hall. Present were Mayor Etzler, City Council Members Carlson, Flaten, Quance, Reeck and Schmieg. Council Member Miles was absent. Also present were City Administrator Mathews, City Clerk Lindaman, Community Development Director Nelsen, Fire Chief Braith and other interested persons.

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

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

Fire Chief Braith reviewed the Fire Department Officers elected for 2010 and the Annual Fire Department Report summarizing activities during 2009. It was moved by Quance and seconded by Schmieg to approve the following Fire Department Officers for 2010:

Carlson, Etzler, Flaten, Quance, Reeck and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

Public hearing was held to consider proposed utility and street reconstruction improvements in the following areas:

2nd Avenue from 12th Street NE to approximately 600 feet west of 1st Street NE

4th Street NE from Hwy 10 to 3rd Avenue NE

2nd Street NE from 2nd Avenue NE to 3rd Avenue NE

9th Street NE from 2nd Avenue NE to 3rd Avenue NE

11th Street NE from 2nd Avenue NE to 3rd Avenue NE

12th Street NE from north of Hwy 10 to south of 3rd Avenue NE

Tim Houle from Widseth Smith Nolting, Inc. reviewed the steps in a special assessment project, the history of the project, the areas affected, the proposed improvements, estimated project costs and funding sources, the proposed assessment approach and estimated amounts, and the proposed project schedule. Kevin Roline at 138 4th Street NE questioned if the water and sewer services to his business are located on 2nd Avenue or 4th Street. Mr. Roline also questioned assessments for a corner lot. Mr. Roline was informed that the location of the water and sewer services will be verified and that corner lots are assessed 100% of the footage on the short side and 50% of the footage on the long side for street improvements plus 100% for the water and sewer services that are connected. Margaret Dyer at 204 7th Street NE expressed her feelings that she should not be assessed since she has paid for improvements before and the improvements benefit the entire community. Ms. Dyer felt that the project should have been voted on by the citizens. Ms. Dyer questioned if she will be assessed for water and sewer services if the services are located on 7th Street. Ms. Dyer was informed that she will not be assessed for services on 7th Street since they will not be replaced, but will be assessed for the street improvements on 2nd Avenue. Ms. Dyer was also informed of the possible deferment of the assessments for senior citizens. Sean Bhogadia at 301 2nd Avenue NW questioned how far water and sewer will be extended to the west. Mr. Houle explained the proposed plans. Mr. Bhogadia expressed concerns that water and sewer is not being extended further to attract business. Amy Hunter at 1003 3rd Avenue NE questioned if any consideration has been given to 1% expenditures for public art. Ms. Hunter was informed that no feedback in support of art was expressed in the meetings and open houses that have been held. Florence Grant at 223 6th Street NE expressed concerns about soil conditions due to former gas stations in the project area. Ms. Grant was informed that the project plans are taking into consideration the possibility of contaminated soil. A letter from Gary Nytes was acknowledged informing the City that The National Joint Powers Alliance at 200 1st Street NE is exempt from special assessments as a Minnesota Service Cooperative. A letter from Ron Biebighauser was acknowledged requesting a reduction in the assessments on the Nyhus Chevrolet/Buick property at 120 2nd Avenue since the property has already been assessed for improvements on Highway 10. No further comments were expressed. It was moved by Schmieg and seconded by Quance to close the public hearing. Carlson, Etzler, Flaten, Quance, Reeck and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

It was moved by Carlson and seconded by Schmieg to introduce Resolution No. 1495 ordering the Turnback Project improvements as proposed and directing Widseth Smith Nolting, Inc. to prepare plans and specifications. Carlson, Etzler, Flaten, Quance, Reeck and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

City Administrator Mathews summarized proposed labor agreements for 2009 and 2010 with IBEW Local Union No. 31, Teamsters Local Union No. 320, and non-union (full-time, part-time police officers and part-time Park and Recreation Office Assistant) employees. The agreements reflect a wage freeze for 2009, a 2% increase in wages for 2010, an additional step in the plant operator pay scale for a wasterwater plant Class “B” license and sludge certificate, a $.25/ hour increase in shift differential compensation for police officers effective January 1, 2010, and other minor modifications. It was moved by Schmieg and seconded by Flaten to approve the labor agreements as proposed. Carlson, Etzler, Flaten, Quance, Reeck and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

It was moved by Schmieg and seconded by Carlson to grant a request from Ducks Unlimited Crow Wing River Chapter for permission to conduct a raffle on April 16, 2010. Carlson, Etzler, Flaten, Quance, Reeck and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried

It was moved by Quance and seconded by Carlson to schedule a special meeting from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on March 15, 2010 at the Staples Police Station Conference Room for a City Council retreat. Carlson, Etzler, Flaten, Quance, Reeck and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

City Administrator Mathews updated the Council on various projects and activities and reviewed a new formula for calculating fire service contract fees. The new formula bases the fees on the number of fire calls, population and taxable market values of the areas protected.

It was moved by Reeck and seconded by Carlson to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Carlson, Etzler, Flaten, Quance, Reeck and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried

Approved: Chris Etzler, Mayor

Attest: Phil Lindaman, City Clerk 10pnc