Hallock City Council September 2, 2020

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE HALLOCK CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Dave Treumer called the regular meeting of the Hallock City Council to order at 5:44 pm on September 2, 2020. Those Present: Mayor Dave Treumer, Kevin Waller, Jennifer Peterson, Naomi Larson and Mike Totleben.
Also present: City Clerk-Administrator Aimee Sugden, Police Chief Mike Docken, business owner Britt Slusar and Anna Jauhola of the Kittson County Enterprise. Utility Superintendent Dan Larson and Fire Chief Kevin Klein were absent.
APPROVE AGENDA: Councilor Totleben moved to approve the agenda.  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 August 3, 2020 as written.  The motion was seconded by Councilor Waller 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 $126,200.35, General fund, checks #11583 to #11625, which includes a transfer of $77,900.00 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 October 2020 meeting.
Resolution 2020-12; Accepting Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act Funds to Local Government Activities
Motion by Councilor Larson to approve Resolution 2020-12, accepting CARES Act Funds. The motion was seconded by Councilor Peterson and carried unanimously.
2021 Budget Committee
The council appointed Councilor Peterson and Councilor Waller to the 2021 Budget Committee.
Delinquent Garbage Assessments
Motion by Councilor Waller to assess delinquent garbage charges to property owner taxes. The motion was seconded by Councilor Totleben and carried unanimously.
Special Report:
Jeff Langan, Houston Engineering
Jeff Langan, engineer with Houston Engineering, updated the council on the city’s dam project. The project began advertising for bids and will run in the Kittson County Enterprise in the September 1, 8 and 15 editions as well as on Quest, an electronic bidding system. Bids will open on October 1, 2020. Prior to bids opening, Houston Engineering will be hosting a pre-bid meeting at City Hall on September 21. Council members are welcome to attend.
Fire Department:
Fire Chief Klein was absent from the meeting. No report given.
Police Department Report:
Police Chief Docken reported that the controllers for the new siren system have been installed and he is now awaiting the antennas and brackets from Stone’s Equipment to complete the installation. He would like them installed by the end of September. Chief Docken also reported on the annual deer hunt within city limits. 15 people will be allowed to hunt and are eligible for up to two tags each. Lastly, Chief Docken will be putting up street signs over the weekend.
Airport:
Airport Manager Jeremy Seng called into the meeting and reported on the status of the taxilane paving project. The project is underway, but held up due to wet conditions. The Airport Commission met in August to discuss the operating locations of the two aerial applicators that operate out of the airport. The decision was made to have Two River Air Spray operate out of the large hangar and Northstar Aviation operate out of the location formerly occupied by Two River Air Spray. As directed by the FAA, Northstar Aviation will have to move their building off of its current site. The commission would like to put a gravel road leading into that location. Seng also reported that he has sought quotes for a grant to update the airport’s arrival/departure building.
Utility & Parks Department Report:
Utility Superintendent Larson was absent from the meeting. No report given.
New Business:
Mutual Aide Agreement; Kittson County, MN and Pembina County, ND
Motion by Councilor Totleben to approve a mutual aide agreement between Kittson County, MN and Pembina County, ND that includes Hallock Police and Fire Departments. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
EDA Forgivable Loan Request; N.C. Ryden Barbershop
Motion by Councilor Totleben to approve a $3,500 EDA Forgivable Loan to N.C. Ryden Barbershop. The motion was seconded by Councilor Waller and carried unanimously.
EDA/USDA Loan Request; Rigg Electric
Motion by Councilor Larson to approve a $20,000 EDA/USDA Loan to Rigg Electric. The motion was seconded by Councilor Waller and carried unanimously.
Zoning Permit 2020-18; J. Mendez
Motion by Councilor Peterson to approve Zoning Permit 2020-16 for J. Mendez. The motion was seconded by Councilor Totleben and carried unanimously.
Hallock Flower Committee
Motion by Councilor Totleben to approve a $1,500 annual grant to the Hallock Flower Committee to begin in 2020. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
Resolution 2020-13; Extending the Resolution to Allow Outdoor Cafes
Business owner, Britt Slusar, spoke on behalf of Resolution 2020-13, a request to extend the resolution allowing outdoor cafes and the closure of 2nd street on the weekends. Slusar reported positive feedback from community members and visitors who appreciated the extended outdoor space allowed by this closure. Slusar asked the council to extend the measure long-term to allow for events year-round.
Motion by Councilor Waller to approve Resolution 2020-13, Allowing Outdoor Cafes. The motion was seconded by Councilor Totleben and carried unanimously.
Other Business/Announcements
Truth in Taxation
The Truth in Taxation meeting will be held on Monday, December 7, 2020 in City Hall at 6:00 p.m. in conjunction with the Council’s December meeting.
Special Budget Meeting
A special meeting to approve the 2021 budget will be held on Monday, September 28, 2020 in City Hall at 5:30 p.m.
Hallock Welcome Banners
Motion by Councilor Waller to approve the purchase of a Hallock Welcome Banner contingent state statutes allow it. The motion was seconded by Councilor Peterson and carried unanimously.
Council Roundtable & Public Comment
None
Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilor Peterson moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Hallock City Council on September 2, 2020. The motion was seconded by Councilor Waller and carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
Dave Treumer, Mayor
Aimee Sugden, City Administrator
Minutes prepared by Aimee Sugden
(October 7, 2020)
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