Hallock City Council November 2, 2020
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HALLOCK CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2020
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Dave Treumer called the regular meeting of the Hallock City Council to order at 5:31 pm on November 2, 2020. Those Present: Mayor Dave Treumer, Mike Totleben, Kevin Waller and Naomi Larson. Jen Peterson was absent.
Also present: City Clerk-Administrator Aimee Sugden, Police Chief Mike Docken and Utility Superintendent Dan Larson. Fire Chief Kevin Klein and Airport Manager Jeremy Seng were absent.
APPROVE AGENDA:
Councilor Totleben moved to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilor Totleben moved to approve the Minutes of the Hallock City Council Meeting of October 5, 2020 as written. The motion was seconded by Mayor Treumer 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 $203,566.56, General fund, checks #11684 to #11720, which includes a transfer of $37,700.00 to the payroll account to cover wages, taxes and benefits. The motion was seconded by Councilor Waller and carried unanimously.
Mayor Treumer and Councilor Totleben will review bills for the December 2020 meeting.
HB Sound & Light
Administrator Sugden presented the council with a quote for the purchase and setup of equipment to better livestream council meetings from HB Sound & Light. The bid included 8 microphones, 1 sound mixer and a storage rack. The council asked that the quoted ‘gooseneck’ microphones be replaced with more portable lapel microphones. With that change, Councilor Totleben moved to approve the purchase of sound equipment from HB Sound & Light. The motion was seconded by Councilor Waller and carried unanimously.
Resolution 2020-18; Assessing Delinquent Utilities
Motion by Councilor Waller to approve Resolution 2020-18, Assessing Delinquent Utilities in the amount of $9,641.14. The motion was seconded by Councilor Totleben and carried unanimously.
Special Report:
Trent Berg, Houston Engineering
Mr. Berg updated the council on the progress of the construction of the new dam. Conditions have been favorable and both RedStone and Spruce Valley have made considerable progress over the last few weeks.
Councilor Totleben relayed concerns from constituents of overweight trucks traveling to and from the construction site on 7th Street. Berg assured him that both groups have been mindful of the weight of each load and reminded the council that, as customary, we will be withholding 5% retainage from the payments made to Spruce Valley. This could be used to repairs to damage caused from traffic due to this project.
Fire Department:
Fire Chief Klein was not present at the meeting. No report given.
Police Department Report:
Police Chief Docken reported that the city had received the final bill from Stone’s Equipment (fire whistle installation) and it was lower than anticipated. With the grants we received, the City will only be paying about $600 towards the total cost of the equipment/installation.
Councilor Larson asked the Kittson County Enterprise to note that the sound the new siren system makes is the correct sound for a fire. The sound the system previously made was for an air raid.
Chief Docken updated the council on the City deer hunt. As of the meeting date, only three deer had been taken.
Airport:
Airport Manager Jeremy Seng was not present. No report was given.
Utility & Parks Department Report:
Utility Superintendent Larson reported to the council that the crew had been working on their usual fall duties as well as taking time to work on the playground equipment. They’ve made progress in the last few weeks, but it hasn’t been without challenges.
Councilor Totleben asked US Larson about the placement of a sign on a gravel road in town. Larson explained that the sign is placed in the right-of-way and should not be moved just to accommodate a few passes per year. Totleben also noted a concern from a citizen about the condition of their sidewalk.
Councilor Totleben also noted the cones located downtown to close main street should be moved by the businesses downtown to better accommodate traffic on Saturdays in the winter. City Administrator Sugden will talk to the businesses.
New Business:
Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center Sign
The Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center Foundation would like to put up a landmark sign for the facility in the city-owned lots north of the fire hall. Administrator Sugden has worked with the County Highway Department to determine appropriate setbacks and regulations. Councilor Larson and Administrator Sugden will meet with Becky Coffield to assess the potential location.
Tax Forfeited Land
Administrator Sugden presented the council with a list of the 2016 tax-forfeited properties from the county. Motion by Councilor Larson to approve the Certificate of County Board of Classification of Forfeited Lands As Provided By Chapter 396, Laws 1935 As Amended. The motion was seconded by Councilor Waller and carried unanimously.
Other Business/Announcements
Election Day
Election Day 2020 is Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Polls will be open at City Hall from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
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.
Next Meeting
The next council meeting will be on Monday, December 7, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Council Roundtable & Public Comment
Councilor Waller asked the council, Administrator Sugden and US Larson to follow-up with Revelation Ale regarding the installation of a chiller placed behind their building. He noted that a building permit had not yet been issued yet the chiller is in place in the alley. Administrator Sugden will talk to Revelation Ale and City Attorney Hanson prior to the next meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilor Waller moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Hallock City Council on November 2, 2020. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
Dave Treumer, Mayor
Aimee Sugden, City Administrator
Minutes prepared by Aimee Sugden
(December 23, 2020)
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