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HALLOCK CITY COUNCIL
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Hallock City Council was held on Monday, February 4, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the city hall.
Members present: Mayor Paul Clay, Alex Gustafson, Laura Reese, Michael Totleben and Kevin Waller.
Members absent: none.
Mayor Clay opened the Public Hearing to discuss the development of a Small Cities Block Grant Application (SCBD). The hearing is being held as part of the Citizen Participation Plan and is a requirement of the grant application. There was no one present to be heard. John Wynne, of Northwest Community Action, was not able to attend because of the weather. Noel read a summary prepared by Mr. Wynne explaining that the preliminary grant has been approved which means we are invited to submit the final application. Wynne expects funds to be awarded somewhere between $750,000 and $825,000. They could be used for approximately 10 commercial rehab projects and 20 owner occupied projects. After much discussion, Mayor Clay closed the public hearing.
The council reviewed the commercial area which is confined to the downtown south of TH 175. Waller mentioned that, according to Wynne, if the application is approved and we are unable to get enough interest in the focus area, we could expand the area some. Totleben moved to adopt a “Resolution Identifying Slum and Blighting Conditions” (Res. #2013-03). The motion was seconded by Gustafson and carried.
Reese moved to adopt a “Resolution of Sponsorship” (Res. #2013-04) directing the mayor and city clerk to sign and submit the SCBD final grant application. The motion was seconded by Gustafson and carried.
Matt Kuznia was present to discuss the purchase of approximately seven acres of land on the south end of the industrial park. The council discussed the purchase price. Waller mentioned that the south corner, with two intersecting hard-surfaced roads is the most desirable. Mayor Clay suggested that we consider a higher price per acre for the most southerly acre and a lower figure for subsequent acres. Noel mentioned that whatever is sold in the industrial park, it is our practice to apply the same street assessment on this property as was assessed on the east side of Columbus Avenue. That amounts to $31 per front foot and will be in excess of $18,000 on these seven acres. After much discussion, Reese moved to sell the property at $5,000 per acre. The motion was seconded by Totleben. Motion carried.
Reese moved to send Troy Vagle to the the Mn Rural Water Convention in St. Cloud in March. The motion was seconded by Totleben and carried.
Mike Dokken reported that the all-school reunion committee wants to conduct a parade on Saturday of fair weekend (July 20th). He explained the approximate route being proposed, which includes TH75. Once the plan is finalized, if the council approves, Dokken will contact MnDOT for proper permission. Reese moved to approve the plans for a parade on July 20, 2013. The motion was seconded by Totleben and carried.
The council opened discussion on the proposed archery hunt. Dokken mentioned that cities have the option to pass an ordinance that would allow archery hunting. The other option is to annually apply to the MnDNR for a special hunt. The council discussed the idea of applying through the MnDNR. The city can make the rules, set the hunting dates, designate areas, etc, but the MnDNR needs to approve the application. Noel mentioned that we could designate public lands, but to hunt on private property, a person would need permission. There was concern about hunting in certain neighborhoods. There was a suggestion that we simply designate areas along the river, much of which is private property. Unless the hunter is on city property, permission from the property owner would need to be acquired. After much discussion, Gustafson moved to proceed with a special archery deer hunt through the MnDNR. The motion was seconded by Reese and carried. Noel and Dokken were instructed to draft some proposed rules, application form, permission form, etc., to be presented at the March 4th council meeting.
Troy Vagle reported having discussions with Sam Talarico regarding the construction of our natural gas border station. We have a list of items to provide Sam. We need permission from Viking Gas to install our odorant equipment on the high-pressure side at their meter station. We also need permission to use their meter signal. Noel will contact Viking Gas for the their approval.
Noel reported making contact with three tuck pointing companies. It’s early for them to know if there is work up here, but one company already expects to be in the area this summer. Later in the spring, we should be able to get someone to inspect our city hall and give us an estimate.
Mayor Clay mentioned the need to select a committee to replace the retiring city clerk. Noel mentioned having a personal meeting with PERA on April 17th. A formal retirement letter will be submitted to the council at that time, but he plans to retire no later than December 31, 2013.
Noel reported that the annual audit went well. Of course, we didn’t have a refunding bond retiring three bond issues like 2011. Noel suggested that we see how this year’s report works out and consider appointing Brady Martz for one more year.
Totleben moved to approve payment of the bills. The motion was seconded by Reese. Motion carried. The check numbers included in the motion include: General Fund, $336,219.86, Cks 7307 to 7355; Water Fund, $45,166.30, Cks 8887 to 8895; Sewer Fund, $3,084.91, cks 3892 to 3896; Gas Fund, $44,439.85, cks 8154 to 8164; Fire Fund from 3378 to 3381.
Henry P. Noel, City Clerk-Adm
(Feb. 13, 2013)
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