Spring clean-up Trucks were lined up along Eldredge Avenue in Motley May 15, as city residents took advantage of the opportunity to throw out old appliances and other items. Waste Management, the city It’s been over nine months since the City of Motley first held an informational meeting about the Beaulieu Street Area Improvement Project.

Now, after a lot of planning, many discussions and at least one public hearing, the project will move from blueprint to reality in the near future.

At their regular council meeting May 11, the council accepted the plans and specifications for the project as presented by city engineer Aric Welch, with Widseth, Smith and Nolting. Bids will go out as soon as the city meets advertising requirements.

The streets project includes improvements of Beaulieu Street West between Hwy 10 and Morrison Line Road, portions of Main Street; and portions of 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Avenues.

Initially estimated to cost approximately $725,533.79, the modified plan includes an added $12,000 expense for parking with curbing by Ernie Converse Park.

Residential roadway assessments will include $4,200 per lot for urban roadway (with curb and gutter) and $2,100 per lot for rural roadway (ditches only).

Residential water will be assessed at $1,300 per lot.

Before bids can go out, the city must advertise for three weeks in their legal newspaper, as well as a trade magazine.

In other matters the council:

o HEARD update from Mark Hallan, with Widseth, Smith and Nolting, regarding the plans for the city’s new wastewater treatment facility.

Hallan reported that some concern was raised by members of the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul regarding a portion of property (twotenths of an acre) that has not been touched in the past. Brian Fitzpatrick (with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency) is looking into this; and had a few other questions for him as well, Hallan said.

Once Fitzpatrick gives the “okay” to go ahead with the project, Hallan suggested the city hold a special meeting to pass a resolution. At that point (hopefully sometime in July) the bidding process could begin. If all goes as planned, the new plant could be in operation May, 2011.

o HEARD monthly maintenance report from Maintenance Supervisor Wayne Barros, which included an update on the city’s wastewater facility. The ponds, Barros reported, are green with algae and the city can expect to see a $200 fine from MPCA this month. The algae problem is typical for this time of year, Barros said following the meeting, citing sunshine and warmer weather as catalysts for algae bloom. They’re doing what they can, Barros said, by adding a lot of bugs (bacteria) to the ponds. When the new treatment facility is up and running next year, this

problem should be solved.

o HEARD update about “The Gathering Event”

from members of the Motley Area Historical Society. Scheduled for Sept. 4, the event is co-sponsored by the Morrison County Genealogy Society and the Morrison County Historical Society. The opening ceremony will be the formal dedication of the old Motley School bell in Veteran’s Park.

o DISCUSSED a request from Larry Beckner, with the Motley’s Two Rivers Music Fest, to place an RV camper in Veteran’s park during the festival. Beckner said the vehicle would be used as a command center and to ensure security measures.

After some discussion, the council decided to table this item until they have a chance to review city ordinances. Council member Bruce Mills mentioned that the issue has more to do with respect, since it’s a memorial park for veterans.

o ADOPTED the Keys and Building Security Policy as presented. The policy states that the City of Motley shall maintain a locking system for the protection of its community members, facilities, property and information.

All locks, keys and access codes are the sole property of the City of Motley and will be issued to employees based on their need for access. The city reserves the right to change these items as needed. All lost or stolen keys must be reported as soon as possible; and at the end of their employment with the city or in the case of a leave of absence in excess of three months (or a suspension), all employees must return their keys to their dept. supervisor or the Clerk Treasurer. Documentation of who returned them and what keys were returned must be kept on file.

o ADOPTED the City Issued Tools/Equipment Policy as presented. The policy states that all pagers, radios, city issued cell phones and any other city issued gear or equipment is the sole property of the City of Motley and will be issued to employees based on their need. The city reserves the right to request the return of these items at any time.

At the end of their employment with the city (or in case of a leave of absence or a suspension) all employees must return city issued equipment to their dept. supervisor or Clerk Treasurer. Documentation of who returned the equipment and what equipment was returned must be kept on file. If gear or equipment is not returned upon request, it will be considered theft and legal action may be taken by the council.

o APPROVED sending firefighters Nick Dille and Bradley Olson to a firefi ghter training course.

o HEARD monthly police report from Police Chief Brian Madison, which included 60 complaints/ calls, one accident, five motorist assists and 17 public assists during April. Madison also reported that the new computer system for the squad car has been installed and that they hoped to be on-line by the following weekend.

o RESCHEDULED the Tuesday, Aug. 10 council meeting, to Wednesday, Aug. 11, because of the primary elections.

o APPROVED a purchase of two computers from Marco for the city offices. Total cost is $4,279, which includes a back-up system, software and installation. The council also approved spending up to $500 to purchase an updated printer.

o SET next regular council meeting for Tuesday, June 8, 7 p.m.

o HEARD concerns from Fire Chief Dave Greig, during the public forum portion of the meeting, regarding the appearance of the front meeting room at city hall. Some people using the room have not put the chairs and tables back the way they should be. After some discussion, the council suggested posting rules and regulations in the room in regard to furniture set-up.