MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HALLOCK CITY COUNCIL MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE HALLOCK CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Dave Treumer called the regular meeting of the Hallock City Council to order at 5:34 pm on February 3, 2020. Those Present: Mayor Dave Treumer, Jennifer Peterson, Naomi Larson and Mike Totleben.
Members absent: Kevin Waller (joined by phone)
Also present: City Clerk-Administrator Aimee Sugden, Utility Superintendent Dan Larson, Chief of Police Mike Docken, Fire Chief Kevin Klein, Margie Holmgren of the Kittson County Enterprise, Robert Carr.
APPROVE AGENDA:
Councilor Totleben moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilor Peterson and carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilor Totleben moved to approve the Minutes of the Hallock City Council Meeting of January 6, 2020 as written. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
FISCAL & ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES:
Approval of Bills:
Mayor Treumer and Councilor Totleben reviewed bills.
Motion by Councilor Totleben to authorize payment of City bills in the amount of $82,719.88, General fund, checks #11243 to #11298, which includes a transfer of $41,025.31 to the payroll account to cover wages, taxes and benefits. The motion was seconded by Councilor Peterson and carried unanimously.
Mayor Treumer and Councilor Totleben will review bills for the March 2, 2020 meeting.
Resolution 2020-01, Appointing Election Judges for the 2020 Primary Election
Motion by Councilor Peterson to approve Resolution 2020-01. The motion was seconded by councilor Larson and passed unanimously. Ms. Holmgren interjected with a correction to the spelling of Election Judge Klegstad’s name. The motion passes with the correction.
Fire Department
Fire Chief Klein reported that the department responded to eight calls last month, fewer than the previous month. The “Jaws” pickup was sold by C&M Ford on the day of the meeting. The city will receive a check for approximately $7,600 for it. That money will be set aside for the purchase of a new pickup for the department.
Motion by Councilor Larson to approve the slate of officers for 2020, including: Jordan Lofstrom-Lieutenant, Tim Soliah-Lieutenant, Troy Vagle-Assistant Chief, Kevin Klein-Chief. The motion was seconded by Councilor Totleben and carried unanimously.
Motion by Councilor Totleben to approve the retirement of Tim Romans and the hiring of Billy Thorsteinson, Billy Johnson and Jackson Johnson. The motion was seconded by councilor Peterson and carried unanimously.
Klein will need to order gear for B. Johnson and J. Johnson. One set of gear was budgeted for this year. The other will come out of other areas of the budget.
Police Department Report:
Police Chief Docken reported that he is still waiting to hear from his grant applications for updating the siren system. He will be putting up warning “Slow For Children” signs on 7th street leading to and from the pool as well as on North Douglas Ave near a block containing several children in the spring. He will work with Administrator Sugden and Utility Superintendent Larson to formulate a plan to replace street signs.
Utility & Parks Department Report:
Utility Superintendent Larson reported a few small snow events in the month of January. The crew worked on two water main breaks throughout the month, including one over the weekend. They are slowly preparing for inevitable spring flooding. Councilor Larson reported hearing positive feedback regarding snow removal from citizens. Recent warm weather has caused some icy bumps around town. The crew will be working to remove them on warm days.
Superintendent Larson and Administrator Sugden reported on the outlook for the pool project. The main pool is scheduled for repairs by Horizon Pools as soon as thawing allows in the spring. The same company will be doing the repairs on the baby pool, but they were not confident they would get to it until later in the summer or early fall. However, the anticipate it being operational for the 2021 swim season.
New Business:
Appoint Administrator Sugden to the Kittson County Housing Pool. Each city in the county has a representative on the committee. Councilor Totleben moved to appoint Administrator Sugden to the Kittson County Housing Pool. The motion was seconded by councilor Peterson and carried unanimously.
Resolution 2020-02, Authorizing the Two River Golf Club to Dispense Liquor at Hallock City Hall
Motion by Councilor Larson to approve Resolution 2020-02. The motion was seconded by Councilor Totleben and carried unanimously.
Resolution 2020-03, Approving Gaming Permit for Hallock Youth Hockey
Motion by Councilor Totleben to approve Resolution 2020-03. The motion was seconded by Councilor Peterson and carried unanimously.
Resolution 2020-04, Approving Gaming Permit for Two River Golf Club
Motion by Councilor Peterson to approve Resolution 2020-04. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
Old Business:
City Hall Rentals
Councilor Peterson and Mayor Treumer requested a review and revisions to the current city hall rental agreement. Their concerns were centered around alcohol permitting and supplying private alcohol. They also asked to include the maximum capacity of the city hall into the contract. Robert Carr and Fire Chief Klein voiced their support for stricter alcohol guidelines to better regulate underage drinking.
Administrator Sugden will research liquor licensing requirements and update the rental agreement with guidelines and a checklist.
Other Business
Tax Abatement & TIF District
Local Business Owner, Robert Carr, attended the meeting to formally ask the council to consider a tax abatement for his new property on the south end of town.
Waller and Sugden reported that Carr had attended a Housing & Redevelopment Committee meeting the week prior where the topic of abatements and TIF Districts were discussed with Jason Murray, a consultant for David Drown & Associates. Mr. Murray has previously worked with the city on establishing TIF Districts and administration of them.
Waller asked the council to refer the matter back to the housing committee to work with Mr. Murray before bringing the matter to a final council vote.
Motion by Councilor Peterson to refer the matter of a tax abatement and establishment of TIF districts back to the Housing & Redevelopment Committee. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
Council Roundtable & Public Comment
Sugden reported on a number of upcoming training opportunities, the upcoming audit, the completion of year-end reporting and a council schedule included in packets.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilor Larson moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Hallock City Council on February 3, 2020. The motion was seconded by Councilor Peterson and carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
Dave Treumer, Mayor                      Aimee Sugden, City Administrator
Minutes prepared by Aimee Sugden
(March 11, 2020)
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