Hallock City Council December 7, 2020

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR & TRUTH-IN-TAXATION MEETING OF THE HALLOCK CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Dave Treumer called the regular meeting of the Hallock City Council to order at 5:34 pm on December 7, 2020. Those Present: Mayor Dave Treumer, Mike Totleben, Kevin Waller, Jen Peterson and Naomi Larson.
Also present: City Clerk-Administrator Aimee Sugden, Utility Superintendent Dan Larson. Fire Chief Kevin Klein and Airport Manager Jeremy Seng. Police Chief Mike Docken was 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 November 2, 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 $417,265.42, General fund, checks #11721 to #11803, which includes a transfer of $42,700.00 to the payroll account to cover wages, taxes and benefits.  The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
Mayor Treumer and Councilor Totleben will review bills for the January 2021 meeting.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
The Personnel Committee and Administrator Sugden met on November 24, 2020 to discuss the cost-of-living adjustment. Deciding factors included the Social Security Administration’s COLA figure (1.3%), Consumer Price Index (1-1.6%), a 9.8% health insurance premium increase and the plans from other area cities. The Personnel Committee recommends a 3% COLA.
Resolution by Councilor Larson to give employees a 3% cost-of-living raise. Motion seconded by Councilor Totleben and carried unanimously.
Christmas Eve Holiday
Motion by Councilor Totleben to award full-time city employees Thursday, December 24, 2020 (Christmas Eve) a paid day off. The motion was seconded by Councilor Waller and carried unanimously.
Special Report:
Trent Berg, Houston Engineering
Mr. Berg updated the council on the progress of the construction of the new dam. More rock has been placed by the Spruce Valley crew, but there is still some to be placed on each fishway. Almost all of the rock has been put in under the bridge. Bridge beams will be put in late this week or early next week and once placed, Spruce Valley will finish their work for the winter. Redstone will be done for the winter following the placement of the beams.
Fire Department:
Fire Chief Klein reported on several call-outs in the month of November. The department recently purchased face masks for each member and a new washer and dryer specifically for turnout clothes. He has been meeting with other Fire Chiefs in the county to discuss issues surrounding the pipeline project.
Police Department Report:
Police Chief Docken was absent, no report given.
Truth-In-Taxation Public Meeting
Motion by Councilor Peterson to suspend the regular meeting and begin the Truth-In-Taxation hearing. The motion was seconded by Councilor Waller and carried unanimously.
Mayor Dave Treumer called the special Truth-In-Taxation meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
No city residents were on hand with any concerns. The council discussed the estimated taxes on their own properties.
Motion by Councilor Totleben to close the Truth-In-Taxation public meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
The special Truth-In-Taxation meeting closed at 6:15 p.m.
Airport:
Airport Manager Jeremy Seng reported on maintenance and repairs he has done around the airport including repairing the windsock tower and replacing a hose for the jet fuel system. He plans to replace the other jet fuel hose once he receives enough flowage fees to cover the cost. Councilor Totleben asked if he had heard from airport engineers, KLJ Engineering, about the soft spot in the new taxi lane to the hangar. Seng reported that they confirmed that a plastic water bottle got into the asphalt mix. The spot will be repaired by Davidson Construction.
Terminal Apartment
Seng reported that he has received inquiries about renting the apartment located at the airport to pipeline workers. He asked the council for their permission to do so. Motion by Councilor Waller to allow Seng to rent the airport apartment. Motion was seconded by Councilor Totleben and carries unanimously.
Airport Manager Contract
Despite progress, Administrator Sugden updated the council that updates to the Airport Manager’s contract have not been completed but will have it completed prior to Christmas. Motion by Councilor Totleben to extend the Airport Manager contract through January 31, 2021. Motion was seconded by Councilor Waller and carries unanimously.
Utility & Parks Department Report:
Utility Superintendent Dan Larson reported that his department has been getting ready for winter. Plows have been put on equipment; a new (used) wing has been purchased from RDO for $500. They’ve also taken time to clean at the shop and throw away old items. Councilor Waller mentioned a street light that needs some attention. Larson will follow-up tomorrow.
New Business:
Employee Handbook, pages 1-10
The Personnel Committee and Administrator Sugden met to discuss the first ten pages of the new employee handbook. They will continue to review 10 pages at a time and bring changes to the council until complete. Once completed, the council will vote on the handbook as a whole. Sugden reminded the council that while we may not currently face each of the topics and/or scenarios outlined in the handbook, there may be a time when we will, and having these scenarios laid out and rules around them will help guide those in charge. Changes for the first 10 pages include;
• Residency Requirements (page 3); the committee recommended adding a 20-mile radius as a residency requirement for employees. City Attorney Hanson recommended putting the radius in place only for on-call workers or taking the issue on a case-by-case basis. Sugden will further review with Hanson
• Access + Use of City Property (page 4); the committee recommended adding the clause, “employees may not use city facilities for long-term storage of personal property. Long-term being defined as 14-days or more.” The council agreed with the committee. No further review needed.
• Seniority (page 9); the committee recommended the removal of the section titled ‘Seniority’. They felt that the section was no longer applicable to current staffing standards. The council agreed with the committee. No further review needed.
Golf Course Loan Deferral
The Two River Golf Club asked the council for a deferral of their 2020 loan payment until 2021 citing financial strain due to COVID and flooding. Sugden confirmed logistics with American Federal Bank. Motion by Councilor Peterson to defer the 2020 loan payment for the Two River Golf Club. The motion was seconded by Councilor Waller and carried unanimously.
Resolution 2020-19; Designating a Polling Place
Motion by Councilor Larson to adopt Resolution 2020-19, Designating a Polling Place. The motion was seconded by Councilor Peterson and carried unanimously.
Resolution 2020-20; Land Exchange with Tom Weleske
Motion by Councilor Peterson to adopt Resolution 2020-20, a Land Exchange with Tom Weleske. The motion was seconded by Councilor Totleben and carried unanimously.
Resolution 2020-21; Mayplace Abandonment
Motion by Councilor Waller to hold a meeting of public interest on Monday, January 4, 2021 regarding the abandonment of a section of Mayplace alley. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously.
Liquor License Renewal
Motion by Councilor Totleben to vote on all liquor license renewals as a slate. The motion was seconded by Councilor Waller and carried unanimously.
Motion by Councilor Larson to approve the 2021 liquor licenses for Last Chance Trading Post, Hallock Eagles, Revelation Ale, Hallock Curling Club and Red Barn Liquors. The motion was seconded by Councilor Totleben and carried unanimously.
Council Salaries
Councilor Totleben asked that the topic of ‘council salaries’ be on the December agenda. He noted that he believes the council deserves a raise due to additional meetings and no pay increase for several years. Discussion resumed about the statutes surrounding the council raising their pay and it was determined more information would be needed.
Other Business/Announcements
Next Meeting
The next council meeting will be on Monday, January 4, 2021 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 December 7, 2020. The motion was seconded by Councilor Larson and carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Dave Treumer, Mayor        Aimee Sugden, City Administrator
Minutes prepared by Aimee Sugden
(January 13, 2021)
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