City Council Meeting
Date: November 14th, 2022, at 6:00 P.M.
Location: Professional Building
Present: Mayor Mike Fitzgerald, Connor Snitker, Ken Norby, Allen Huttunen, Renee Thomas
Absent: Pat Burton, Jeff Watts
Guests: Debi Stainbrook, Greg Koropatnicki, Rob Fleming, Brad Bail, Brenda Maslowski, Phil Hall, Ben Kneeshaw, Zelda Hartje, Blaine Eisenbeis, Emmalee Hall, Lyndi Needham, Keith Needham
Public hearing called to order at 6:06 P.M.
Public Hearing:
Phil Hall: Wants to know the status of the generator. If the school won’t be an emergency shelter, why are they getting funding for it? Phil would also like to see a budget/strategic plan for the city. Having a 1-3-5-7 year plan and forecasting how much money we would need.
Call to order following close of Public Hearing at 6:14pm.
Changes to Agenda: No changes to the agenda
Approval/Changes to Septembers Minutes
Minutes included council meeting on 10/10/22. Motion to approve minutes by Snitker, seconded by Thomas. All ayes present. Motion carries.
Old Business
- Garbage truck/rates – Countrywide will be sending contract soon, ordering garbage carts shortly. Mike to call Valley to set up a meeting.
- Generator – We made a motion to get rid of it. Someone complained about it being given away, so the gentlemen did not want to take it. Motion to advertise it for bids for 2 weeks, if no offers we will scrap it by Connor, seconded by Thomas. All ayes present. Motion carries.
- Lagoon – Greg will see how much it will be to purchase more land
Huttuen leaves at 6:18pm
- Ramp Light – Blaine hasn’t received the report yet
- Special Election – Students will be helping as poll clerks. Motion to pay for snacks and treats by Norby, seconded by Snitker. All ayes present. Motion carries.
- Recycling containers at city shop – Motion to add $1 to residential accounts by Snitker, seconded by Thomas. All ayes present. Motion carries.
- Water meter readers – Debi applied for Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program for financing. Would like all council to be here to make a decision on updating meters.
- Assessor and assessments – Zelda Hartje was here to explain how the county assesses properties. City Attorney wrote a letter to Mikka Willits about legal authority of entering homes. Residents are under no obligation to have someone go into your house to assess your property. Zelda will revalue and see what kind of location deduction we could get, and have it by February.
Huttunen returns at 6:37pm
- Street repairs – Tabled
- Masloski’s lot – Tabled
- Camper from South Pembina – There was a tie for the highest bid. Motion to contact two highest bidders to submit another bid by close of business Friday by Norby, seconded by Snitker. All ayes present. Motion carries.
- Weight Limit Signs – Discussion about weight limits, street repairs and designated truck routes. Brad will come up with a designated truck route.
- House Condemnations - Scott is going to get his inspection report submitted for 422 N 5th St.
Committee Reports
- Fire Department – Hydrants were flushed. Pressure tested. A few hydrants had issues. Pancake feed December 4th, all are welcome. Working on 5 different grants. The city has a CPR & First Aid instructor. Will offer classes to the public in the spring.
- Rec Board – Halloween party was a success. 83 kids, 150 people total. Santa Day is December 4th, there will be something for everyone.
Employees Report/Concerns
- Snowblower – Discussed issues that current snowblower has. Greg presented quotes. Motion to purchase MK Martin with trade-in by Norby, seconded by Snitker. All ayes present. Motion carries.
- Cell phone and clothing reimbursement – It is up to the employee whether they want to use their personal cellphone or get a company phone with the understanding of data retention policy. Motion to reimburse personal cell phones for $50 by Snitker, seconded by Norby. All ayes present. Motion carries. Motion to remove City of Pembina logo on clothing reimbursement by Snitker, seconded by Thomas. All ayes present. Motion carries.
Engineer Report/Brad Bail – Discussion about lagoon. Presented information and documents to council. Rob will see if city has a lease on the land. Presented document for alley. Consider what you would like to do as costs are going up. Discussion about d
Attorney Update – Discussion about committee spending. Suggestion was that committees give a detailed budget to council, council approves it, then committees would be able to spend up to that budget amount. Same with the city budget. There can be budget modifications throughout the year. Discussion was held regarding the lack of legal authority to have a governmental agent enter your home without your permission. This was pertaining to the discussion earlier about assessments.
Update & Business: Mayor – no update
Update & Business: City Auditor/ Debi Stainbrook
- November Bills & Financials – Motion to approve bills and financials by Snitker, seconded by Huttunen. All ayes present. Motion carries.
New Business
- Lot & Storage Rent – Tabled
- Long Term RV Sites – electricity – Ottertail charges a minimum fee to keep electricity on. It is cheaper to turn off and pay the one-time fee to turn on.
- Delinquent Utility Bills – Motion to send anything over $250 on final calc bills to collections by Snitker, seconded by Thomas. All ayes present. Motion carries. Active accounts – Motion to post notice on door, give them 2 weeks to make arrangements for payments, payments must be more than the amount of their current bill by Snitker, seconded by Thomas. 2 ayes, 1 nay. Motion carries.
- Gary Crotty snow removal – Find out to see if he will remove snow again this year.
- Safe Deposit box – update names to Jeff Watts, Connor Snitker, Mike Fitzgerald, Debi Stainbrook. The city only has one key; order a second key as there should be two.
Norby leaves at 8:01pm
Adjournment – Motion to adjourn at 8:15pm
By: Mayor, Mike Fitzgerald
Attested to: Debi Stainbrook, City Auditor
